Building Thinking Classrooms Conference 2026: Full Schedule

9:35am EDT

Building a Culture of Flexibility, Grit, and Belief Through Rich Problem Solving and Thinking Classrooms

Monday June 29, 2026 9:35am - 11:45am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 406

My hope is that participants leave this session both inspired and equipped to intentionally cultivate a culture of flexibility, grit, and belief within their own contexts. I want teachers, coaches, and district leaders to experience how rich problem solving and the Building Thinking Classrooms framework can transform student engagement, strengthen mathematical identity, and foster perseverance. Above all, I hope participants embrace a shift from focusing solely on product to valuing process, discovering the joyful and meaningful moments that problem solving can bring to classrooms, schools, and districts.

Speakers

Danielle Legnard

Curriculum Integration Specialist and Professor, Bethel Public Schools and Sacred Heart University

Danielle Legnard is a Professor at Sacred Heart University’s Isabelle Farrington College of Education and a K–2 Curriculum Integration Specialist in Bethel, Connecticut. With more than 25 years in education, she has served as a classroom teacher, math and reading specialist... Read More →

BTC 2026 Flexibility, Grit and Belief (Legnard) (1) pdf

Monday June 29, 2026 9:35am - 11:45am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 406 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Coaching, Spicy

Grade Level or Subject Area Instructional Coaches; Building Leaders; K-2; 3-5

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

Grade Level or Subject Area Instructional Coaches; Building Leaders; 3-5; 6-8; Algebra; Geometry

Building Thinking Classrooms Conference 2026

9:35am EDT

Danielle Legnard

10:30am EDT

Priscilla Rice

1:00pm EDT

Vanessa Therrien

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