Davidson County Schools Summer Symposium 2026

Future-focused classrooms require more than good plans—they require responsive teaching. In this session, participants will dive into a repeatable instructional cycle that connects data, planning, and student outcomes in meaningful ways. Learn how to quickly analyze student performance, design targeted instruction, and adjust to meet the needs of all learners, including those in inclusion settings.  Attendees will actively apply the Plan–Teach–Adjust–Repeat cycle and walk away with strategies, templates, and tools they can use immediately in their classrooms.

This session examines how PLCs use data to improve instruction. Participants will explore RED, GREEN, and BLUE PLCs to reflect on current practices and identify next steps. Educators will consider how assessments, learning supports, and language supports align to a central focus and monitor student learning.

Desmos is more than an online calculator. It is an amazing learning tool that can help unlock critical thinking and exploration for students. See why Desmos is not a shortcut or “cheat” but a way to engage learners and level the playing field for all.

This interactive professional development session explores evidence-based approaches to implementing small group instruction in secondary ELA classrooms. Participants will discover practical strategies for organizing, managing, and maximizing the effectiveness of small groups to meet diverse student needs while maintaining classroom momentum.


Participants will:
Learn frameworks for purposeful grouping (skill-based, interest-based, mixed-ability, and flexible configurations).
Explore time-efficient structures for launching and rotating small groups.
Discover scaffolding techniques that support struggling readers and writers while challenging advanced learners.
Review formative assessment strategies to inform grouping decisions and monitor progress.
Walk away with ready-to-use templates, lesson structures, and classroom management tools.

Ready to move beyond “more work” and into meaningful challenge for gifted learners? This session equips middle and high school educators with practical strategies, ready-to-use lesson ideas, and engaging project-based learning experiences that promote critical thinking and deeper understanding across content areas. Discover how to design rigorous, differentiated learning that keeps gifted students motivated and growing. Walk away with tools you can implement immediately to elevate learning in your classroom.