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FSUSD Spark 2025
Subject: Student Engagement with UDL clear filter
Thursday, August 7
 

8:30am PDT

Spark Engagement with See, Think, Wonder (Grades K-12) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
Demo lesson where participants practice observation and hypothesis skills while looking at images, visuals or graphs. Participants also practice academic conversation skills to discuss their observations and hypothesis. 
Speakers
avatar for Luisa Latini

Luisa Latini

English Department Chair & CSEL, B Gale Wilson Middle School
Hello, my name is Luisa Latini and I am a proud B. Gale Wilson Wildcat!I have been teaching in FSUSD for seven years and have taught middle school History, English Language Arts, Academic Language Development and Art. I am currently the English Department Chair, CSEL, the National... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
Room 324 (3rd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

8:30am PDT

Teaching Phonics with UFLI Foundations (Grades K-2) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
The University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Foundations program is an effective way for students to develop literacy skills using a multi-sensory approach. It is research and evidence based and follows an explicit phonics sequence that builds a foundation for reading success.


Speakers
avatar for Laura Masterpaul

Laura Masterpaul

Literacy Specialist, FSUSD
I taught first grade for 7 years at two Title I schools in FSUSD. For the past three years I have been a District Literacy Specialist serving many schools. 
avatar for Michelle Riley

Michelle Riley

Literacy Specialist, FSUSD
avatar for Melody Williams

Melody Williams

Literacy Specialist, FSUSD
My name is Melody Williams and I am currently a Literacy Specialist at Sheldon Academy of Innovative Learning. I have been a teacher in FSUSD for the past 12 years.  Prior to becoming a Literacy Specialist I worked at KI Jones Elementary School. While at KI Jones I taught 6th grade... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
PLC (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

8:30am PDT

Hyperslides: Perfect Lesson Packages (Grades K-12) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am PDT
Hyperslides are digital documents where all parts of a learning cycle can be pulled into one interactive hub. Teachers will learn several formats for building hyperslides and how to incorporate UDL strategies allowing students multiple ways to engage and learn content.
Speakers
avatar for Meghan Johann

Meghan Johann

Teacher, Nelda Mundy
Meghan Is in her 21st year as an educator in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District and her experience spans 5 different grade levels. As a Google Certified Educator, she believes in the importance of incorporating good pedagogy in the classroom while using technology tools to encourage... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am PDT
PLC-2 (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

8:30am PDT

Quaver Music Design Lab (at Laurel Creek Elementary) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am PDT
First, we explore the basic outline of Quaver Music curriculum and the basics of customizing lessons. Next, we delve into the new features that will be introduced at the summer's Quaver Con. Finally, we work together to create lessons for the beginning of the school year.
Speakers
avatar for Cyndi Chancellor

Cyndi Chancellor

Music Teacher, Laurel Creek Elementary School
I am currently an elementary music and band teacher at Laurel Creek Elementary School. I graduated from the University of the Pacific and earned a Master's Degree from CSU, Stanislaus. I started teaching in 1988 in Stanislaus County, and then transferred to F-SUSD in 2000. I have... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am PDT
Laurel Creek Elementary School 2900 Gulf Drive, Fairfield, CA

8:30am PDT

FSUSD Physical Education Summit (at Green Valley Middle School) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 3:00pm PDT
*PE Teachers must register on GoSignMeUp for this one-day event. 
Speakers
DP

Daniel Pitayo-Cuevas

Physical Education Teacher, Green Valley Middle School
Thursday August 7, 2025 8:30am - 3:00pm PDT
Green Valley Middle School 1350 Gold Hill Rd, Fairfield, CA 94534

9:45am PDT

Everyday Math in Action (Grades K-5) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Speakers
avatar for Victoria Rodgers

Victoria Rodgers

Teacher, KI Jones
Thursday August 7, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
PLC (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

9:45am PDT

Facilitating Small Group Presentations in Secondary (Grades 6-12) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Participants will have an opportunity to participate in two forms of presentations- small group and partner based presentations. This demonstrates alternatives to whole-class presentations while still meeting speaking and listening standards.
Speakers
avatar for Luisa Latini

Luisa Latini

English Department Chair & CSEL, B Gale Wilson Middle School
Hello, my name is Luisa Latini and I am a proud B. Gale Wilson Wildcat!I have been teaching in FSUSD for seven years and have taught middle school History, English Language Arts, Academic Language Development and Art. I am currently the English Department Chair, CSEL, the National... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Room 324 (3rd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

9:45am PDT

STEAMing Your Way to Friday (Grades K-2) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Learn how to use our current curriculums for STEAM inspired lessons for your littles! From hands-on centers to technology, you will learn new ways to make "Fun Friday" To "STEAM Fridays"!
Speakers
avatar for Laura Obando

Laura Obando

2nd Grade Teacher, Cordelia Hills Elementary
Second grade teacher
Thursday August 7, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Room 102 (First Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

11:00am PDT

Building Fluency in Math with Math Protocols (Grades K-8) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Participants will participate in demo lessons for several math protocols that can be utilized alongside our district curriculum to enhance academic discourse and fluency in the math classroom. These are high engagement activities for all students that can be used in the classroom immediately without prep work from teachers.
Speakers
avatar for Meghan Johann

Meghan Johann

Teacher, Nelda Mundy
Meghan Is in her 21st year as an educator in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District and her experience spans 5 different grade levels. As a Google Certified Educator, she believes in the importance of incorporating good pedagogy in the classroom while using technology tools to encourage... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
PLC-2 (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

11:00am PDT

Monday BMA!: Demo Lesson for Benchmark Advance (Grades K-2) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Wondering how to start your Monday off strong using Benchmark Advance? Come on over to see a demo lesson using the phonics, vocabulary, and reading components of BMA! 
Speakers
avatar for Alanna Kazimer

Alanna Kazimer

Teacher, Nelda Mundy
My name is Alanna Kazimer, or Mrs. Kaz, as my 2nd graders call me! I am a proud product of FSUSD and graduate of UC Davis. I currently hold my Masters in Education, with an emphasis on English Learner Development, and pride myself of ensuring equitable access in the classroom. I love... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
PLC (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

11:00am PDT

Empowering Students Through Culturally Responsive Strategies (Grades TK-12) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
FSUSD students are part of one of the most diverse school districts in the nation.  Their culture is essential to who they are as people.  This session will share some great engaging strategies to honor our students, their families, and their communities.
Speakers
avatar for Shari Patterson

Shari Patterson

Social Science Teacher, Fairfield High School
avatar for Pam Wiilliamson

Pam Wiilliamson

Teacher, F-SUTA Union President, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
Thursday August 7, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 319 (3rd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

11:00am PDT

Getting Started with Academic Discourse (Grades 6-12) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Step Into the Rehearsal Room: Why Academic Discourse Matters

Imagine a stage performance—polished, precise, powerful.
But behind that final scene is a rehearsal room—where ideas are tested, voices are warmed up, and mistakes are not only expected… they’re essential.
In the classroom, academic discourse is that rehearsal room.
It’s where students practice thinking out loud, build on each other’s ideas, and grow their understanding through talk.
But just like a good rehearsal needs structure, so does student discussion.
In this session, we’ll explore how to establish clear routines and procedures that set the stage for productive, respectful, and authentic student talk—from day one.
Let’s get your classroom ready for the kind of thinking that can only happen when students have a chance to rehearse their ideas out loud.
Join us—and help your students build the confidence and skill they need to take center stage.


Speakers
avatar for Christina Geyer

Christina Geyer

Consulting Teacher, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
Christina Geyer is an experienced educator, instructional coach, and school leader with over a decade of service in diverse California school districts. She currently serves as a Consulting Teacher for Fairfield-Suisun Unified, where she mentors and coaches early-career educators... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 324 (3rd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

1:00pm PDT

AI-Mazing Lesson Planning: Save Time, Spark Creativity! (Grades TK-12) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Discover how to leverage free AI tools like ChatGPT, MagicSchool, and others to transform district-approved curriculum into more engaging, accessible, and time-saving lessons tailored to your students' needs. In this session, we will explore how to use AI programs in tandem to modify and enhance a district-approved lesson or unit, making it more effective for diverse learners.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Hays

Michelle Hays

History and Art Teacher, Matt Garcia Career and College Academy
I’m an educator with a passion for making learning more accessible and engaging for all students. With a Master of Education in Innovative Learning, I’ve focused on how emerging technologies—especially AI—can support teachers in transforming lessons to better meet student... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 319 (3rd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

1:00pm PDT

Engagement with Benchmark Advance: Inspiration Lab! (Grades K-5) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Learn how extend and expand student learning by creating engaging and exciting standards-based, cross-curicular themed learning days utilizing the BMA curriculum! Come curious, leave inspired! 
Speakers
avatar for Alanna Kazimer

Alanna Kazimer

Teacher, Nelda Mundy
My name is Alanna Kazimer, or Mrs. Kaz, as my 2nd graders call me! I am a proud product of FSUSD and graduate of UC Davis. I currently hold my Masters in Education, with an emphasis on English Learner Development, and pride myself of ensuring equitable access in the classroom. I love... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
PLC (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

1:00pm PDT

Implementing Small Group Instruction (Grades TK-5) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Unlock the power of small group instruction! In this session, teachers will explore practical strategies to create engaging, structured, and effective small group environments. Learn how to build student independence, manage transitions smoothly, and maximize learning time.  Walk away with a ready-to-implement action plan that fosters confidence and ensures small group success in your classroom!
Speakers
avatar for Kristy Love

Kristy Love

Consulting Teacher, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
Supporting our new teachers to be the best educator they can be for our students… that’s what I’m passionate about!
JV

Jessica Villanueva

Consulting Teacher, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
As a former classroom teacher now serving as a Consulting Teacher, I have the privilege of supporting and mentoring the newest educators in our district. I’m deeply committed to helping teachers thrive by equipping them with practical strategies and a reflective, supportive environment... Read More →
Thursday August 7, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
PLC-2 (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

1:00pm PDT

Lesson Planning for Engagement Using Google Slides (Grades 6-12) LIMITED
Thursday August 7, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Are you looking for ways to increase student engagement when planning lessons using Google Slides? Looking to see student effort in class as great as your own and also include more differentiation? If so, this you will walk away with many strategies to take your lesson planning up to that next level to ensure student engagement. 
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Apostolos

Melissa Apostolos

Teacher, Fairfield High School
Thursday August 7, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 324 (3rd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA
 
Friday, August 8
 

8:30am PDT

Project Based Learning (Grades K-5) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
TBD
Speakers
avatar for Shawn Engell

Shawn Engell

Teacher, Oakbrook K-8 School
Friday August 8, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
PLC-2 (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

8:30am PDT

Teaching Phonics with UFLI Foundations (Grades K-2) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
The University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Foundations program is an effective way for students to develop literacy skills using a multi-sensory approach. It is research and evidence based and follows an explicit phonics sequence that builds a foundation for reading success.


Speakers
avatar for Michelle Riley

Michelle Riley

Literacy Specialist, FSUSD
avatar for Melody Williams

Melody Williams

Literacy Specialist, FSUSD
My name is Melody Williams and I am currently a Literacy Specialist at Sheldon Academy of Innovative Learning. I have been a teacher in FSUSD for the past 12 years.  Prior to becoming a Literacy Specialist I worked at KI Jones Elementary School. While at KI Jones I taught 6th grade... Read More →
avatar for Laura Masterpaul

Laura Masterpaul

Literacy Specialist, FSUSD
I taught first grade for 7 years at two Title I schools in FSUSD. For the past three years I have been a District Literacy Specialist serving many schools. 
Friday August 8, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
PLC (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

8:30am PDT

Backwards Design- Lesson Planning for Student Success (Grades 6-12) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am PDT
This session will focus on utilizing the Backward Design framework, an approach to lesson and unit planning that starts with defining the desired outcomes and then works backward to create a path to those goals. For instance, let’s say students are studying photosynthesis. Before the teacher plans any activities, they first determine what students should be able to demonstrate at the end of the unit. In this case, let’s imagine students will create a poster explaining the process of photosynthesis and its significance to ecosystems. With this goal in mind, the teacher can then design lessons and activities that will guide students toward successfully completing their poster.

The session will begin with an overview of the Backward Design framework, followed by an opportunity for teachers to apply what they’ve learned by designing their own lesson plans.


Speakers
avatar for Lucero Angel

Lucero Angel

Teacher, Crystal Middle School
Friday August 8, 2025 8:30am - 10:45am PDT
Room 324 (3rd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

9:45am PDT

Books on Books on Books!! Daily Reading, Book Tasting and Book Clubs in the Secondary Classroom (Grades 6-12) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Want to increase the number of books students read in a year? Come join A3WP teacher leader Michelle Voelker as she walks participants through book tasting to get students started. Follow the tasting with book club units that build on the momentum of independent reading and watch kids flourish as they analyze novels, discuss their reading authentically, and transfer all their learning into various writing assignments.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Voelker

Michelle Voelker

Area 3 Writing Project
Michelle Voelker is an English teacher at a Title I school in Sacramento, CA. She is an A3WP teacher leader, providing workshops on literacy practices in the classroom. Before becoming a teacher, Michelle was an AmeriCorps member for a program that provided reading intervention on... Read More →
Friday August 8, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Board Room 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

9:45am PDT

Classroom Transformations (Grades K-5) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
TBD
Speakers
avatar for Shawn Engell

Shawn Engell

Teacher, Oakbrook K-8 School
Friday August 8, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
PLC-2 (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

11:00am PDT

Amplify Science Demo Lesson (Grades K-5) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
See the Amplify science curriculum in action! 

Speakers
avatar for Kristine Jackson

Kristine Jackson

Second Grade Teacher, Cordelia Hills Elementary
Friday August 8, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
PLC-2 (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

11:00am PDT

Formative Assessment (Grades K-12) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Find new ways to elicit responses and check for student understanding to implement tomorrow.

Speakers
avatar for Kristy Love

Kristy Love

Consulting Teacher, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
Supporting our new teachers to be the best educator they can be for our students… that’s what I’m passionate about!
JV

Jessica Villanueva

Consulting Teacher, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
As a former classroom teacher now serving as a Consulting Teacher, I have the privilege of supporting and mentoring the newest educators in our district. I’m deeply committed to helping teachers thrive by equipping them with practical strategies and a reflective, supportive environment... Read More →
Friday August 8, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
PLC (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

11:00am PDT

Leveling Up Your Academic Discourse (Grades 6-12) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Beyond Rehearsal: Directing Discourse for Deeper Learning

Your students have learned their lines.
They’re showing up to the rehearsal room ready to speak.
But now, it’s time to direct the scene.
In this session, we’ll move beyond getting students talking—we’ll focus on getting them thinking deeper.
What kinds of questions push students beyond recall and into analysis, debate, and reflection?
How do we help students truly engage with one another’s thinking—and with the grade-level standards?
Just like a great director guides actors to uncover the story’s depth, we’ll explore how to guide students to uncover the meaning behind their content.
You’ve built the rehearsal space—now let’s shape the performance.
Join us for the next act of academic discourse.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Geyer

Christina Geyer

Consulting Teacher, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
Christina Geyer is an experienced educator, instructional coach, and school leader with over a decade of service in diverse California school districts. She currently serves as a Consulting Teacher for Fairfield-Suisun Unified, where she mentors and coaches early-career educators... Read More →
Friday August 8, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 324 (3rd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

1:00pm PDT

AI-Mazing Lesson Planning: Save Time, Spark Creativity! (Grades TK-12) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Discover how to leverage free AI tools like ChatGPT, MagicSchool, and others to transform district-approved curriculum into more engaging, accessible, and time-saving lessons tailored to your students' needs. In this session, we will explore how to use AI programs in tandem to modify and enhance a district-approved lesson or unit, making it more effective for diverse learners.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Hays

Michelle Hays

History and Art Teacher, Matt Garcia Career and College Academy
I’m an educator with a passion for making learning more accessible and engaging for all students. With a Master of Education in Innovative Learning, I’ve focused on how emerging technologies—especially AI—can support teachers in transforming lessons to better meet student... Read More →
Friday August 8, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 319 (3rd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

1:00pm PDT

Designing for Engagement with Amplify Science (Grades K-5) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Plan lessons using the Amplify Science curriculum. 
Speakers
avatar for Kristine Jackson

Kristine Jackson

Second Grade Teacher, Cordelia Hills Elementary
Friday August 8, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
PLC-2 (2nd Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA

1:00pm PDT

Quaver Music: Creating and Customizing Lessons (Grades K-8) LIMITED
Friday August 8, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Quaver Music teachers will become familiar with basic navigation of the Quaver curriculum. Next, teachers will learn how to turn an existing Quaver lesson into a custom lesson to better meet the needs of their students.
Speakers
avatar for Cyndi Chancellor

Cyndi Chancellor

Music Teacher, Laurel Creek Elementary School
I am currently an elementary music and band teacher at Laurel Creek Elementary School. I graduated from the University of the Pacific and earned a Master's Degree from CSU, Stanislaus. I started teaching in 1988 in Stanislaus County, and then transferred to F-SUSD in 2000. I have... Read More →
Friday August 8, 2025 1:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 102 (First Floor) 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield, CA, USA
 
FSUSD Spark 2025
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