Building Thinking Classrooms Conference 2026: Full Schedule

9:35am EDT

Math Teacher Leadership w/ Peter & the Noyce Fellows!

Monday June 29, 2026 9:35am - 10:30am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Auditorium 115

In this session, the CT Noyce Math Teacher Leader (MTL) Fellows join Peter Liljedahl to highlight the work of math teacher leadership in advancing instructional change. Through interactive discussion and reflection, participants will consider the role of teacher leaders in the change process, and particularly in building capacity to implement Building Thinking Classrooms. We look at how leaders share practice with others, win over the doubters, and create structures to support colleagues as they take risks with new strategies. There will be time for Q & A and collaborative reflection on how to foster teacher-led changes across various school contexts. Whether you are currently leading from the classroom, supporting teacher leaders, or curious about shifting your school’s math culture, you will leave with practical strategies and a vision for empowering teachers as essential drivers of pedagogical change.

Speakers

Kelsey Onofrio

8th Grade Math Teacher, NOYCE/Manchester Public Schools

Ilisse Gomez

Math Teacher, Consolidated School District of New Britain

Carson Dunn

Teacher of Mathematics, Hartford Public Schools

Peter Liljedahl

Author, Building Thinking Classrooms

Peter Liljedahl is a former math teacher and current professor of Mathematics Education known for his significant contributions to the field of mathematics education, particularly in the development of "Building Thinking Classrooms." With a passion for fostering deep mathematical... Read More →

Monday June 29, 2026 9:35am - 10:30am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Auditorium 115 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Leadership

Grade Level or Subject Area Math Teacher Leaders; Coaches; Building Leaders

10:50am EDT

Cultivating the Conditions: Leadership for Sustainable Thinking Classrooms

Monday June 29, 2026 10:50am - 11:45am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 303

Our hope is that participants will be inspired and equipped by our examples of co-leadership. We will demonstrate how a partnership between teacher leaders and district leader can create a secure and supportive environment for implementing BTC, detailing the scaffolded and timely support essential for sustainable practice.

Speakers

Janel Marr

Math/STEM Resource Teacher, Windward District

April Bright

4th grade teacher, ʻAikahi Elementary

I have been teaching for 20 years; 10 in California and 10 in Hawaii. Teaching ELA has been my passion until about 5 years ago when I started learning and using Building Thinking Classrooms. Now I adore teaching math and I love a great launch!

Cultivating the Conditions Leadership for a Sustainable Thinking Classroom, BTC Conference 2026 pptx

Monday June 29, 2026 10:50am - 11:45am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 303 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Leadership, Medium

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

8:00am EDT

Leading Thinking Classrooms: Steps to rolling out BTC with teachers

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

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Black Box 118

After attending this session, leaders will gain practical strategies for implementing Building Thinking Classrooms at the school or district level. Participants will explore a step-by-step approach to building teacher capacity, discover key resources to support implementation, and learn how to lead and sustain meaningful change within their learning communities.

Speakers

Georgina Rivera

Principal, author, presenter, former VP NCSM, West Hartford Public Schools, Charter Oak International Academy,

Georgina Rivera is a mathematics leader educator, coach, presenter, and author. Currently, she serves as the Principal for Charter Oak International Academy, an IB School in West Hartford, CT. Georgina has previously served as an Elementary STEM Supervisor, and district-wide elementary... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Black Box 118 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Leadership, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area Building Leaders; Central Office Leaders; Instructional Coaches; K-2; 3-5; 6-8

1:00pm EDT

Leadership That Lifts Thinking: Coaching, Culture, and Conditions for Building Thinking Classrooms

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:00pm - 3:10pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 404

Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how school and teacher leaders can create the conditions for Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) to thrive across a school or district. They will gain: Practical leadership strategies for supporting BTC implementation schoolwide Tools for coaching teachers on thinking tasks, student discourse, and productive struggle Structures for using PLCs, walk-throughs, and collaborative planning to sustain BTC Methods for aligning BTC practices with school improvement goals, NEASC recommendations, and Portrait of a Graduate competencies Equity-centered approaches to ensure all students, especially those historically underserved, experience high-level thinking and agency

Speakers

Stephanie Lockhart

Principal, Avon Public Schools

Stephanie Lockhart

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:00pm - 3:10pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 404 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Leadership, Mild

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

2:15pm EDT

Inspire & Engage: Building Better Classrooms Together

Tuesday June 30, 2026 2:15pm - 3:10pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 301

This session equips instructional coaches and administrators with practical strategies to implement Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) across their schools. Participants will explore leadership moves that support teacher buy-in, model key BTC practices, and create conditions for active, student-centered learning in every content area—including multi-language and co-teach settings. Attendees will engage in hands-on activities and leave with actionable tools, and an implementation roadmap for fostering a schoolwide culture of thinking and collaboration.

Speakers

Eleanor Pusey

High School Math Learning Specialist, Horry County Schools

Tonya Kram

Instructional Coach, Horry County Schools

BTCC26 Conference Presentation Kram & Pusey pdf

Tuesday June 30, 2026 2:15pm - 3:10pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 301 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Leadership

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

2:15pm EDT

Setting the Conditions for Thinking Classrooms: The Work of School Leaders

Tuesday June 30, 2026 2:15pm - 3:10pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 330

Particpants will understand that school leaders contribute to the success of classroom instruction when they establish routines, structures, and conditions that support teacher practice.

Speakers

Kelly M. Lyman

Tuesday June 30, 2026 2:15pm - 3:10pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 330 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Leadership, Mild

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

9:35am EDT

10:50am EDT

8:00am EDT

1:00pm EDT

2:15pm EDT

2:15pm EDT

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