BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Tuesday, October 22

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Grow Your Own Rural Teacher Pipelines

Presented by: Dr. Jan G. Miller

This session will explore innovative strategies for developing and sustaining rural teacher pipelines through community-focused approaches. Attendees will learn about effective models for recruiting, training, and retaining teachers from within rural communities, addressing the unique challenges and leveraging the strengths of these areas. By empowering local residents to become educators, we can create a more stable and committed workforce, ultimately improving educational outcomes for rural students.

Understand-Explore-Define: How Apprenticeship Model Can Work In Education

Presenter: Dr. Elizabeth Standafer

This presentation will cover 3 phases of educator apprenticeship development utlizing a Participant Notebook developed for the session that can be taken back to the state or district for future planning.

In Phase 1: Understand (Learning Outcome 1) Participants will find "The Why" as they develop an understanding of Educator Raps through the use of data and analysis of their state, region, or district.

In Phase 2: Explore (Learning Outcome 2 and 3) Participants will participate in activities that help them understand and define partnership roles and program supports.

In Phase 3: Define (Learning Outcome 4) Participants will participate in activities that help them consider their capacity to develop an Educator Apprenticehip Model within their current training systems and with current recruitment pipelines.

Substitute Teaching as Both a Pipeline and Retention Strategy

Presenter: Jenny Jorda

How can we work towards minimizing future teaching shortages, diversifying the teaching force, and at the same time solve immediate school staffing challenges?
In this session, you will investigate the vital role that substitute teachers play in the school ecosystem and how these teachers can enable innovative staffing models. You will brainstorm ways to leverage this talent pool/pipeline in new ways and upskill substitutes to provide consistent learning outcomes when called upon.

Uncovering Impostor Syndrome and its Impact on Educators

Presenter: Jenny Jorda

How can we work towards minimizing future teaching shortages, diversifying the teaching force, and at the same time solve immediate school staffing challenges?
In this session, you will investigate the vital role that substitute teachers play in the school ecosystem and how these teachers can enable innovative staffing models. You will brainstorm ways to leverage this talent pool/pipeline in new ways and upskill substitutes to provide consistent learning outcomes when called upon.

Hands-on AI Ascent: Elevating Educator Recruitment and Retention

Presented by: Joe McBreen



Discover the power of generative AI in this hands-on workshop designed to enhance your educator recruitment and retention strategies. Learn to integrate advanced AI tools, including chatbots, into your daily practices to boost efficiency and decision-making. Ideal for K-12 HR professionals and educator preparation experts, this session offers practical insights for reaching new heights in educational excellence.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Wednesday, October 23

9:15 PM - 10:15 PM

Starting out ahead: How well designed clinical practice lead to stronger teachers and smarter hiring

Presented by: Hannah Putman



A high quality clinical practice experience (also known as student teaching) can help a first-year teacher be as successful as one in their second or third year. And clinical practice placements are a win for districts too - districts that host student teachers are less likely to report teacher shortages. But many prep programs and districts are missing key components of those high-quality experiences that set aspiring teachers and their school districts up for success. The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has worked with practitioners, researchers, and other experts in the field to develop a framework that details the actions that school districts, prep programs, and states should take to provide every aspiring teacher with a high-quality clinical practice experience. In this session, learn more about this framework, hear the success stories of districts who have taken these actions and reaped benefits in strengthening their new teacher pipeline, and take a self-assessment to identify opportunities for your district, state, or prep program to take on clinical practice. Attendees will receive access to both the Clinical Practice Framework and the Action Guide on strengthening clinical practice.

Tackling Our Teacher Shortage: Attracting Talent and Assessing New Instructional Development Pathways

Presented by: Kimberly Wood, Bonnie Toffoli

Amidst the ongoing decline in enrollment within K-12 educator preparation programs and the escalating number of vacant teaching positions across the nation, it is imperative for district leaders to innovate pathways and training methodologies aimed at diminishing obstacles for prospective new educators. The Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) recruitment strategy encompasses a multifaceted approach, integrating traditional, alternative and on-the-job partnership frameworks. Through avenues such as paid internships, para to professional pathways and associate teacher substitutes OCPS has effectively dismantled barriers such as time constraints geographic limitations, and financial burdens positioning itself as the preferred destination for talented aspiring teachers.


Attendees will gain valuable insights into these pathways and discover how to attract and support our next generation of educators. This session offers an opportunity to gain insights into how OCPS has strategically implemented various pioneering pathways and initiatives tailored to meet and nurture future educators at different stages of their professional journey.

Yellow Brick Road: The path to district alternative certification success!

Presented by: Cassie Harwell



Uncover a decade-long journey! Explore the evolution of Caddo Parish Public Schools' innovative alternative certification program in Shreveport, Louisiana. This program tackles the challenge of staffing hard-to-fill subjects and locations across our 50+ schools.
Join Caddo Teaching Academy leaders for a deep dive into:
The program's origins and development
Key successes and valuable lessons learned over 10 years
Strategies to address staffing challenges in diverse subjects and locations
This session is your roadmap to a successful alternative certification program!

Demystifying Entry into the Teacher Workforce

Presented by: Gabriela Mottesi



Amid evolving educational landscapes and a severe teacher shortage, State Education Agencies (SEAs) face the challenge of navigating diverse certification pathways—from traditional programs to alternative routes—which often confuses and impedes entry into the teaching profession. This presentation will outline the findings from a Center for Standards, Assessment, and Accountability guide seeking to consolidate and clarify the complex legislation and regulations governing initial teacher certification and reciprocity in addition to national trends in teacher preparation.

Key components of the guide include:

• State tables providing a snapshot of national trends, available certification pathways and licensure requirements across all 50 states.
• Current evidence base on specific licensures routes and reciprocity.

This presentation will outline the guide's development, its key findings, and its potential impact on educational quality and teacher workforce sustainability. Our findings contribute to the broader discussion on education reform and teacher certification, offering SEAs actionable insights for improving educational equity and inclusivity.

Recruiting and Retaining the Best in Class: The Case for the $100,000 Teacher

Presented by: Dara Klein



At Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS), we firmly believe that teacher quality is the greatest lever impacting student academic and social emotional growth in the classroom. To strengthen our talent pipelines, DAAS has introduced an ambitious innovation: Model Teachers in the district will be paid a $100,000 salary as part of our Best-in-Class program.
This program will review the process for how we developed the structure of our Best-in-Class program, including the recruitment and selection process. We’ll talk about the lessons we learned in our first year of program implementation, its impact on our staff culture, recruitment, retention, and student outcomes, and what we’re doing differently next year!

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Wednesday, October 23

10:30 am - 11:30 am

Practical Applications and Ethical Considerations for AI in Teacher Preparation

Presented by: Joseph Pearson

This session will explore the application of AI in teacher practice, focusing on practical ways AI can empower educators and enhance teaching and learning. Drawing from recent studies and real-world examples, the presentation will demonstrate how AI might reduce planning time, engage students, and support test development and administrative tasks for teachers. Participants will learn about ethical considerations in AI use, including protecting student privacy and ensuring accuracy. The session will focus on providing key considerations for teacher preparation and professional development, including strategies for integrating learning about AI in teacher preparation programs, with guidelines for fostering collaboration and innovation. Attendees will engage in interactive activities and discussions, using their personal devices to explore AI tools and create new understandings of AI in education.

Hiring Manager Training for Principals: Attracting Top-Tier Teachers

Presented by: Meghan Armstrong

Overview:
This training program equips school principals with the skills and knowledge needed to attract and retain top-tier teaching talent. It combines best practices in recruitment, interview techniques, and strategic planning tailored to the education sector.

Key Components:

• Understanding the Talent Market
• Employer Branding
• Effective Recruitment Strategies
• Interviewing Techniques
• Candidate Experience
• Retention Strategies

Tapping into Existing Talent: How to Identify and Nurture Teachers in Your Community

Presented by: Dr. Lequite Manning



Like many school districts, Memphis-Shelby County Schools is contending with a teacher shortage. The district has approached this challenge as an opportunity to create a pipeline of effective teachers sourced from its community. Given that 90% of students served by Memphis-Shelby County Schools are people of color, the district was especially interested in developing a sustainable pipeline of diverse educators.


This session will highlight how Memphis-Shelby County Schools partnered with Relay Graduate School of Education to establish a "Grow Your Own"-type teacher residency program where teachers are well-prepared and excited to teach Memphis-area students. “Grow Your Own” is a teacher preparation strategy focused on developing and retaining teachers from the local community, which could include offering paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, or career-changers the opportunity to move into teaching. The strategy also ensures novice teachers have the supportive training they need to stay in the profession long term.


For the second year in a row, Relay is ranked #1 among 42 Educator Preparation Programs in Tennessee in percentage of teachers whose students exceeded growth expectations. The session will also highlight how Relay students worked alongside mentors and learned to build relationships with students through an approach that emphasizes practice, feedback, and growth.

Recruiting, Developing, and Retaining Quality Black Educators

Presented by: Jorge Fuller

Non-Profit removing barriers for Black Educators entering the education profession. We will discuss the challenges, success, and impacts of our program working with educators from 18-52 from accross the country coming to Kansas City, MO.

Beyond Burnout: How Duval County Public Schools supports educator well-being

Presented by: Leah Rose & Katie LaPointe

"Can educators thrive, or is burnout inevitable? In Duval County Public Schools, the Teacher Development and Support Team actively combats burnout by investing in the well-being of all educators. By providing holistic support, they ensure that their educators not only succeed within the classroom, but also find fulfillment in the essential work they do each day.

In this session, you’ll learn how educators define well-being and hear about five common pitfalls leading to teacher burnout. You will practice with strategies empirically proven to increase well-being, and walk away with I-can-use-this-tomorrow ideas to measure and improve educator well-being in your context. Educators in DCPS are gaining “clarity and insight that solidified my purpose” - come find out what strategies help sustain and retain folks in these a challenging times."

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Wednesday, October 23

2:30 Pm - 3:30 Pm

Imposter Syndrome: Understanding and Conquering Self-Doubt

Presented by: Rachel Hollingsworth

Embarking on new journeys, whether in a career, a role, or any new experience, often accompanies a surge of nerves and self-doubt. During this presentation, we will dive into the topic of imposter syndrome and gain a common understanding of the thoughts and feelings of inadequacy. Discover actionable strategies and empowering insights to navigate through these doubts, enabling you to cultivate a resilient mindset and enter new opportunities confidently.

East Harlem Teaching Residency - From Recruitment To Retention

Presented by: Veronika Herrera

This session will provide a concise overview of EHTR's innovative approach to teacher recruitment and development and its impact on both diversity in education and long-term teacher retention. EHTR will share how their intentional program design and targeted support over 10 years of programming leads to success starting with recruitment. Attendees will explore EHTR’s recruitment process and profile of a resident which has led the program to successfully recruit over 75% residents of color. EHTR will highlight how high impact coaching and professional development support teacher residents to success during their residency experience, leading to approximately 96% of Alumni remaining within the education field. This session offers valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and administrators on implementing effective teacher preparation programs.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Thursday, October 24

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Innovative Teacher Preparation: Activity-Based and Tech-Enhanced Methods for Teacher Development

Presented by: Joseph Pearson

This session will explore the application of innovative, activity-based, and technology-enhanced methods in teacher preparation programs. Drawing from current doctoral research at University of California, Los Angeles, the presentation will demonstrate how these methods can effectively address the teacher shortage crisis, particularly in high-needs areas. Attendees will learn practical strategies for implementing these methods to enhance the preparation and retention of new teachers. The session will emphasize the importance of focusing on the delivery methods of teacher training, rather than just the content, to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for pre-service educators.

Participants will engage in interactive activities, including collaborative problem-solving and hands-on exploration of training methods, to identify key shifts towards more candidate-centered professional learning opportunities. The session will provide data from both a current research study and an ongoing activity-based, online teacher preparation program called the TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Program from Moreland University to illustrate effective strategies. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to improve teacher preparation programs and support pre-service educators' professional growth and satisfaction.



Recruit to Thrive: Empowering Staff-Led Referral & Hiring Campaigns

Presented by: Jessica Lamb

Your staff are the most impactful ambassadors to referrals and prospective hires. From their institutional knowledge to daily experiences, they provide an honest, genuine perspective that candidates love to hear. Staff-led referral and hiring campaigns enable your team to flex their leadership skills and consistently generate quality leads. From school-based talent leads to hiring day roles, learn how to scale referral and hiring campaigns that will deepen staff connections to talent initiatives and produce robust, year-round candidate pipelines.

Reinvigorating the teaching role through Next Education Workforce team-based models in Mapleton Public Schools

Presented by: Andrea LaRocca

We will share how, via a grant from Gary Community Venture Funds, Mapleton Public Schools is launching the strategic staffing initiative of Next Education Workforce team-baesd models in four schools in SY24-25. They are doing so with support from ASU, as well as residents and instructional support from PEBC, to holistically reinvigorate the teaching role from recruitment to retention.

From Surviving to Thriving: The Art and Science of Sidestepping Burnout

Presented by: Jolee Jones

Whether you're struggling with stress management or seeking to preemptively safeguard your well-being, this session will equip you with the knowledge and skills to not just survive, but to flourish in today's demanding world. We will delve into the intricacies of avoiding burnout through a blend of practical strategies and scientific insights. Discover techniques to maintain wellness, enhance resilience, and foster a sustainable work-life harmony.



• Annual membership (for-profit organization): Valued at $500
• Exhibitor table for the full conference: Valued at $850
• Registration for conference (two people): Valued at $800
• Advertisement in the conference program (full page): Valued at $500
• Speak for 10 minutes during Business Lunch (live in-person, live via video, OR pre-recorded video): Valued at $1,000
• Company name and logo in all AAEE conference communications, including the website: Valued at $1,500
• Opportunity to include company-branded item in conference bags distributed to each registered attendee (items purchased/provided by vendor): Valued at $200
• Banner advertisement on home page of AAEE website (per month): Valued at $150
• Email campaign sent to AAEE members and contacts (per message): Valued at $150
• Portion of sponsorship funds designated to Janice S. Jones Scholarship Fund for Teachers: Valued at $250

For more information, please contact the AAEE National Office at 614-800-1722 or email execdir@aaee.org

Exhibitor Sign-Up

Student/Educator Candidate