Building Thinking Classrooms Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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8:00am EDT

Coaching That Builds Thinking Classrooms: Using Thin-Sliced Tasks to Support Teacher Concept Development and Student Understanding

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 328

Instructional coaches will leave with: A deeper understanding of thin slicing as a lever for both teacher and student development, A model thin-sliced task sequence that can be used in coaching, Practical strategies for modeling and supporting effective task design, Tools for using thin slicing to help teachers visualize concept progression and refine instructional decisions, Increased capacity to integrate Thinking Classroom practices into professional learning structures

Speakers

Elena Mayorga

Math Coach, East Haven Public Schools

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 328 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Coaching, Medium

Grade Level or Subject Area Instructional Coaches; Building Leaders; Central Office Leaders

8:00am EDT

Less Helping, More Thinking: Teacher Moves That Build Confident Problem Solvers

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 239

How do we create mathematics classrooms where all students engage, persist, and see themselves as capable problem solvers? In this interactive session, participants will explore instructional practices that cultivate mathematical confidence by strengthening student agency, discourse, and perseverance.
Together, we will examine observable student behaviors that signal confidence, analyze teacher moves that either hinder or foster agency, and unpack classroom conditions that support student driven problem solving.
Participants will leave with practical strategies and actionable next steps for cultivating classrooms where students take risks, reason together, and confidently engage in meaningful mathematics.

Speakers

Stephanie Fitzpatrick

Director of Growth and Learning, HMH

I am dedicated to supporting teachers, coaches and leaders to achieve successful student outcomes.

Talk to me about:strengthening classroom practice improving student outcomes.building confidencerefining craftcreating systems that actually work in real classrooms.
My approach is grounded in practical strategies and a belief that growth happens through collaboration and reflection... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 239 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Coaching, Mild | Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area K-8, AGA, Teachers, Instructional coaches

8:00am EDT

Centering Teachers as Learners: Leveraging the BTC Framework for Effective Professional Development

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 10:10am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 332

Through an immersive experience of analyzing student work, participants will uncover practical approaches for embedding the BTC framework into professional development. They will leave understanding how to use the BTC practices with teacher teams as a way to cultivate an environment where teachers feel empowered to continuously explore and improve their practice. At the end, I hope that participants will consider the following question as they plan for future professional development: Which BTC moves best support teachers’ willingness to take a stance of curiosity about their own practice?

Speakers

Kyle Ferreira van Leer

K-12 Math Specialist, Coventry Public Schools

Kyle Ferreira van Leer (he/him) firmly believes that all students are capable of high level mathematics engagement. He began his educational career in the middle school sphere. Kyle spent 8 years - from Boston to Sacramento - teaching 7th and 8th grade math in Title I schools, mostly serving migrant students... Read More →

Leveraging Teachers as Learners BTC Conference 2026 pdf

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 10:10am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 332 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Coaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area Instructional Coaches; Building Leaders

10:30am EDT

Coaching for Thinking Classrooms: Scaling Success Across a District

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:30am - 11:25am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 329

What does it take to bring Building Thinking Classrooms to life across multiple schools? This session shares lessons learned from coaching 4th and 5th grade teachers in 13 elementary schools across a district as they implemented BTC practices. Participants will explore tools for supporting teachers— including a customizable coaching sheet, look-fors, and communication strategies for administrators— and reflect on how to sustain momentum district-wide. Walk away with concrete ideas for planning, scheduling, and coaching thinking classrooms at scale.

Speakers

Priscilla Rice

Curriculum Coordinator, Mathematics, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

Priscilla is a Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. She currently serves educators across the county in math professional development, coaching, and providing information on state initiatives. Prior to this role, she was a site... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:30am - 11:25am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 329 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Coaching, Spicy

Grade Level or Subject Area 46086

1:00pm EDT

Bite-Sized BTC: A Tweak a Week Toolkit for Instructional Leaders and Coaches

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 240

Many coaches who have introduced BTC to their schools and supported the work may be in a place where keeping the momentum going may be difficult as PD is dedicated to other initiatives. Coaches and leaders will learn more about how updates and best practices can be offered in real-time (without waiting for the next scheduled PD session) through a series called "A Tweak a Week". These instructional moves and lesson design edits come directly from the BTC book, 6-12 task book, and sessions that my teachers and I have recently attended with Peter. I'm hoping to give coaches and instructional leaders a new lens on how to continue supporting BTC practices in small and meaningful ways.

Speakers

Vanessa Therrien

STEM Specialist, Farmington Public Schools

Currently serving as the STEM Specialist at Irving A. Robbins Middle School in Farmington, CT, I bring 16 years of classroom expertise to my leadership role. My background includes seven years of 6th-grade Math and Science instruction within the Farmington district and nine years... Read More →

BTC Conference A Tweak a Week Series 2025 2026 pptx

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 240 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Coaching, Spicy