Davidson County Schools Summer Symposium 2026

In this session, participants will explore practical strategies to make PLCs more collaborative, student-centered, and results-driven. This session will focus on using data purposefully, strengthening team communication, and creating actionable systems that support student growth. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use tools and strategies to improve the effectiveness of their PLCs and student achievement. 

Go beyond surface-level alignment! In this workshop, teachers will learn how to break down math standards to uncover exactly what students need to know and do—and how to match problems that truly align. Walk away with practical strategies to ensure your instruction measures up.

Ready to energize your math block and get students truly thinking? This session, inspired by Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics by Peter Liljedahl, will show you how to transform your classroom into a space where curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving thrive.

Thinking Groups is an activity that aligns with every math standard and grade level and can be implemented at the beginning, middle, and/or end of a unit multiple times throughout the year. Students never get tired of it because each task is always different.

If you’re looking to move beyond repetitive procedures and build a classroom where students think deeply, take risks, and solve problems creatively, this session is for you.

Have you ever worked with a gifted child, and the experience was not a ¨gift¨?  Teaching gifted students is not as easy as many think.  During this session, we will explore the different learner profiles of gifted students.  We will also discuss the special social and emotional needs of gifted students.  Strategies for supporting gifted students and their families through these challenges will be given.

Station Rotation in Middle Grades Math is designed for teachers looking to increase engagement, differentiate instruction, and make math more interactive. This session will share practical, ready-to-use ideas for small-group instruction, hands-on problem solving, skill practice, and technology integration—all tailored for middle grades classrooms. Whether you're new to station rotation or refining your approach, you’ll leave with manageable strategies and engaging activities that keep students moving, collaborating, and thinking deeply about math.

This session is designed for beginning teachers and staff members who are new to ClassDojo. Participants will learn the foundational features of the platform, including setting up classes, communicating with families, and sharing classroom updates. The training will also provide best practices for maintaining consistent communication, encouraging family involvement, and creating a welcoming digital classroom community.