Start Strong 2026: Full Schedule

Save the date for Upper Arlington’s Start Strong mini-conference on August 5-6, 2026--schedule to follow!

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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8:30am EDT

Draft-Differentiating for Gifted Learners Using AI Tools

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Go beyond "more work" and discover how to help your students "go deeper." This session focuses on providing practical strategies for utilizing AI tools to deliver genuine enrichment and extension activities that add depth and complexity to your curriculum. Rather than assigning "busywork," you will learn how to leverage technology to challenge gifted learners effectively.

We will explore how tools like Gemini and Brisk can be used to create relevant assignments that align directly with the units and modules you are already teaching. By using specific prompting techniques, teachers can generate high-quality materials and even teacher keys with minimal planning time!

Finally, we will work through various scenarios to help you think through how these tools can be best applied in your individual classroom. Whether you are tech-hesitant or comfortable, these strategies are designed to be tailored to your unique teaching style and the specific age of your students.

Speakers

Cat Rinko-Gay

Gifted Intervention Specialist, Barrington Elementary School, Upper Arlington City Schools

Cat Rinko-Gay has worked in gifted education for 15 years. She began her career as a learning specialist and 3rd grade teacher at an all-gifted school in New York City. Since moving to Ohio, she has worked as a Gifted Intervention Specialist for the past 4 years, focusing on ELA and... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

AI/Technology, Gifted Education

Content Level Proficiency
Audience K-5, 6-8, 9-12

8:30am EDT

Draft-What Steps Can I Take to Plan for Retirement, Even if it's a Long Time From Now? (preK-12)

1.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Pete Scully and Laura Mickens will review pre-tax savings vehicles that are available to UA employees in addition to STRS. This review will cover the HSA, Section 125 plan, 403b, 457b, and 401a programs and approved vendors.

Speakers

Pete Scully

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Certified Staff

Content Level Introductory, Proficiency
Audience PK, K-5, 6-8, 9-12

8:30am EDT

Draft-The Writing Revolution NEED DESCRIPTION

1.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Speakers

Julie Stolze

Tier 4 Reading Specialist, Upper Arlington Schools; Barrington Elementary

Amy Adams

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Curriculum (Literacy/Math/Science/Social Studies)

Content Level Proficiency
Audience K-5

8:30am EDT

Making Room for the Storm: Relating to Stress in a Healthier, Values-Driven Way

1.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Educators face an overwhelming amount of stress, yet traditional advice to eliminate the stress with typical self-care activities often leads to disappointment. Grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), this interactive workshop shifts the focus from fighting stress to fundamentally changing our relationship with it. Participants will learn how to "unhook" from difficult thoughts, use self-compassion to lessen the burden of emotional pain, and orient toward core values to maintain momentum when life hits hard. Through experiential exercises and collaborative discussions, teachers will acquire a practical toolkit to navigate burnout throughout the school year. Crucially, these mindfulness and self-compassion strategies are designed to be shared directly with students, equipping educators to foster emotional resilience and values-based coping skills within their classrooms.

Speakers

Bobby Huffman

Intervention Specialist, Upper Arlington Schools

Bobby Huffman has spent two decades in the classroom navigating the beautiful, complex world of special education. Currently serving as an Intervention and Behavioral Specialist at Jones Middle School, Bobby has 20 years of experience supporting students with autism and behavioral... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Trauma Informed Care

Content Level Introductory
Audience PK, K-5, Admin, 9-12, 6-8

8:30am EDT

Draft-Hold for Progressive Education Workshop NEED DESCRIPTION

2.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 10:40am EDT

Speakers

Andrew Williams

3rd grade teacher, Wickliffe Progressive

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:30am - 10:40am EDT

Progressive Education

Content Level Introductory
Audience K-5

9:40am EDT

Draft-LPDC & Licensure Workshop NEED DESCRIPTION

1.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:40am - 10:40am EDT

Speakers

Kristin Bugnitz

Peer Assistance Specialist, Upper Arlington Schools

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:40am - 10:40am EDT

Certified Staff

Content Level Introductory, Proficiency
Audience PK, K-5, Admin, 6-8, 9-12

9:40am EDT

Draft-K-5 at a Glance Curriculum Document NEED DESCRIPTION

1.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:40am - 10:40am EDT

Speakers

Andrea Rowson

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:40am - 10:40am EDT

Curriculum (Literacy/Math/Science/Social Studies)

Content Level Introductory
Audience K-5

9:40am EDT

Draft-Math (Building Thinking Classrooms second or alternate session) NEED DESCRIPTION

1.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:40am - 10:40am EDT

Speakers

Matt Jordan

Principal, Upper Arlington Schools-Hastings MS

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:40am - 10:40am EDT

Curriculum (Literacy/Math/Science/Social Studies)

Content Level Proficiency
Audience K-5, 6-8, 9-12

9:40am EDT

Draft-Confidentiality and Ethical Communication

1.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:40am - 10:40am EDT

This presentation will focus on confidentiality and ethical communication when discussing students and their behavior through a trauma-informed and supportive lens. Participants will explore how adult perceptions and projections impact students’ sense of safety, regulation, and identity, and how maintaining a neutral, supportive stance can promote positive outcomes. The session will also address strategies for managing challenging behaviors while preserving student dignity, as well as tools to support staff in recognizing and regulating their own stress and frustration to maintain professionalism and a supportive classroom environment.

Speakers

Larysa Gilbert

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:40am - 10:40am EDT

Trauma Informed Care

Content Level Introductory
Audience PK, K-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin

10:50am EDT

Draft-Collaboration Station NEED DESCRIPTION

1.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:50am - 11:50am EDT

Content Level Introductory, Proficiency
Audience PK, K-5, 6-8, 9-12

10:50am EDT

Draft-Wired to Worry: Supporting the Anxious Mind in School

1.00 PD

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:50am - 11:50am EDT

Anxiety doesn’t always look like panic or tears in the classroom. Often, it hides behind perfectionism, frequent trips to the nurse, avoidance, or even disruptive behavior. For an anxious student, the brain is stuck in a chronic "fight-or-flight" response, making meaningful learning nearly impossible. This session pulls back the curtain on how anxiety physically impacts a student's brain, memory, and behavior.

Speakers