2025 Conference Agenda 
CNPLC: Together We Glow! ​Inspiring Education 

Wednesday, Pre-Conference:
​5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.                     Pre-Conference Activities:
                                                          Dress Up and win prizes during a Night of Black Light!
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.                     Exhibit Hall Open
                                     
Thursday, Conference:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.                      Complimentary Breakfast-Grand Theater
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.                      Welcome-Grand Theater
8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.                      Keynote Speaker, Justin Forsett-Grand Theater
9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.                      Networking / Exhibit Hall Open
9:45 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.                    Session 1 (speaker names and breakout rooms listed below)
11:00 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.                 Session 2 (speaker names and breakout rooms listed below)
12:10 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.                   Lunch & Exhibit Hall Open
1:15 p.m. – 2:25 p.m.                     Session 3 (speaker names and breakout rooms listed below)
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.                     Closing Session

 Presenter & Session Information Listed Below

Grand Theater
2025 Keynote Presenter-Justin Forsett
Former NFL running back Justin Forsett was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2008 and played for seven teams in nine years, including the 2014 Pro Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. Known for his speed and agility on the field, he is now a respected leader and businessman off the field. And as an award-winning motivational speaker, he shares his stories of sacrifice, setbacks, and success.
A Florida native, Justin was determined to play in the NFL. Despite his 5'8" stature, he broke several high school records and earned a college scholarship to Cal—where as a senior, he was named to the First-team All-Pac-10 Conference. Justin retired from the NFL in 2017 and moved from the backfield to the boardroom. The company he co-founded with college teammates even appeared on ABC's Shark Tank. Although they didn’t get a deal, they used the feedback to rename, rebrand, and relaunch their company. Now known as Hustle Clean, and with Justin as CEO, this multi-million dollar wellness company sells all-natural body wipes and personal care products online and at major retailers.  ‍He has first-hand experience overcoming obstacles like homelessness and firings to becoming a Pro Bowl NFL player and Forbes-recognized CEO of a multi-million dollar wellness brand. Throughout this journey, he learned that greatness grows best in the shadows. 

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Room Name: Magnolia 1
Mr. Greg
Greg Smedley-Warren, affectionately known as “Mr. Greg,” is an experienced, current  kindergarten educator and the creative mind behind The Kindergarten Smorgasboard. With an impressive 19-year teaching journey, Greg’s expertise spans various grade levels, including a brief stint in fifth grade and two years in second grade. However, it was a reluctant transition to kindergarten that unveiled his true passion and calling. Never wanting  to teach kindergarteners, Greg’s journey took a turn when he discovered an instant connection on the very first day of kindergarten.   From that moment on, he knew kindergarten was his calling.   Fuelled by his dedication to his students, Greg has proudly remained in the kindergarten classroom for 16 years, continually inspired by the boundless energy and curiosity of his students. 
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Session 1 
Comprehend This: Unlocking the Power of Reading
Upgrade your students’ reading comprehension skills! Explore research-based and classroom-proven strategies to enhance read-aloud sessions and instruction. Experience how research projects can sharpen skills with informational texts, research, and
writing. Stock up on engaging ideas that address diverse needs and challenge students to reach higher-order thinking skills. 

Session 2
Reading Rituals And Routines
Discover techniques to enhance your literacy instruction through the five components of literacy in this session. Explore a science
of reading aligned routine that efficiently teaches phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension, fluency and writing using
research-based, classroom-proven best practices. Gather a wealth of engaging ideas to meet your students' needs and challenge them to embrace higher-order thinking skills. 

Session 3
Centers Made Simple - DIY
Seeking inspiration to craft your own DIY center or workstation activities? Your search ends here! Discover how to enhance your
center activities using everyday items. Engage your students during center time with these budget-friendly and creative ideas. "
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Room Name: Cedar
Hilary Statum
Hilary Statum  has over 15 years of teaching experience in kindergarten, transitional-first, fourth, and fifth grades. She currently teaches ESL for her school district Hilary holds her Master’s degree in Instructional Leadership from David Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from both her graduate and undergraduate level courses. Hilary frequently travels around the United States as a featured speaker. Some of her favorite topics include the Science of Reading, Simple STEM for the Primary Classroom, Flexible Seating, Classroom Culture, Pairing High-Interest Books with Standards-Driven Activities, Magical Math, Raising Observation Scores, Classroom Organization, and Learning Inspired by Play.

Session 1 
Cooking Up Comprehension
Discover research-based ways to combine rich discussions with comprehension skills and strategies in this unique and TASTY session! Hilary shares how she pairs stories and snacks using favorite read-alouds and low-prep recipes. You’ll return to your classroom with graphic organizers and fresh ideas to increase engagement while practicing essential literacy skills!

Session 2 - Repeat of Session 1

Session 3 
Playful Numbers: Engaging and Effective Math Games 
​In this interactive session, you will learn why game-based learning helps make abstract concepts tangible and fun for early learners. Get your game on with hands-on activities and demonstrations of various math games covering essential skills. You’ll head back to the classroom with a checklist of game ideas, templates, and materials to implement these games immediately!

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Room Name: Oak
LeAnna Wolkis - Goldstein
LeAnna Wolkis Goldstein is an energetic and passionate teacher from Arizona with over 25 years of teaching experience. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, a Master’s Degree from NAU, an Early Childhood Endorsement and achieved the rigorous advanced credentials of National Board Certification. While teaching in her award-winning classroom, The “Wolkis Wonderland,” she designs mini hands-on center based stations that are brought to life with novel realia. As a Nationally Recognized Presenter, LeAnna empowers educators to create cooperative learning environments utilizing music, movement & manipulatives that foster 100% student engagement.

Session 1 
Serious Fun, Serious Learning: How Play Drives Real Growth! 
Strengthening students' connection to their learning by using that four letter word "PLAY" will bring the excitement into your classroom that everyone will enjoy… Even Y.O.U.! By creating hands - on opportunities for Play, you’ll be providing endless moments for children to think creatively, foster positive social-emotional behaviors & practice academic skills that will lead to mastery. Come see how to design and implement a motivating environment that welcomes ‘Play’ back into your day!

Session 2 - Repeat of Session 1

Session 3
Creative Connections: Fine Motor Skills and Sensory Adventures! 
Dive into the dynamic world of play-based learning! This engaging session will explore innovative strategies to integrate play into your curriculum, focusing on the crucial areas of fine motor development and sensory exploration. Discover how to create an enriching classroom environment where students can thrive through hands-on activities, playful interactions, and sensory-rich experiences. Join us to learn practical techniques, gain valuable insights, and walk away with a toolkit of ideas to foster creativity, coordination, and cognitive growth in your young learners.
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Room Name: Pine
Mary Amoson
Mary is an enthusiastic and passionate teacher from Georgia with 18 years of experience. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology. In addition to teaching full-time, Mary finds joy in presenting to educators across the country for more than 14 years. She loves sharing engaging ideas, hands-on activities, and rigorous content that has worked with her own kindergartners through her website, Sharing Kindergarten. Mary is committed to instilling passion in teachers because she believes that passion is truly the secret to increasing learning and achievement.

Session 1 
SOAR with HFW (Sight) Words
Replenish your supply of fresh, new ideas for HFW (sight) word games and activities kids LOVE to play! Let’s dive into what are sight words and High-frequency words, as well as what the Science of Reading research is telling us. Learning to read words has never been so much fun! Mary sends you home with kid‑tested and teacher‑approved sight word games to try tomorrow. This session includes a digital make-and-take download. THIS SESSION IS A TEACHER’S FAVORITE. 

Session 2 - Repeat of Session 1

Session 3
Phonics Beyond ABCs
Let’s talk about what to teach and HOW to teach phonics beyond the ABCs to create amazing readers and writers. We will dive into blends, digraphs, long vowels, and so much more. And these ideas and activities are SoR based.
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Room Name: Magnolia 3/4/5
Ann Elise Record
Ann Elise Record is an enthusiastic, engaging, and knowledgeable presenter who is passionate about creating positive math identities for ALL learners. Experienced as an elementary classroom teacher, math specialist, and math consultant, Ann Elise has worked extensively with multiple school stakeholders, including students, teachers, interventionists, special educators, pre-service teachers, and parents. She is a vibrant presenter whose excitement for teaching mathematics is contagious! Ann Elise is a contributing author to Fluency Doesn't Just Happen with Addition and Subtraction. Ann Elise's sessions are extremely practical and filled with research-based activities and assessments you can implement immediately to create more confident, positive, and competent young mathematicians. Her passion is working with educators to help them implement best practices within the three basic pillars of classroom math instruction that encourage growth mindset messages: math fact fluency, word problem structures, and understanding progressions of the standards.

Session 1 
Subtraction is the Achilles Heel of Many Students - But It Doesn't Need to Be
Subtraction is the Achilles Heel of too many of our students from the primary grades all the way through to upper elementary grades as subtraction becomes embedded within division…..but it doesn’t need to be this way.  In this session, we will then explore various story contexts that involve subtraction that correspond to the thinking of the students, multiple flexible computational strategies that apply from basic facts to larger numbers, decimals, and fractions, and daily routines that will help all students develop flexibility with subtraction and foster positive math identities.

Session 2 - Repeat of Session 1

Session 3 
Unlocking Problem Solving for All Students - Addition and Subtraction
In this session, we will be exploring all the problem types that involve addition and subtraction including modeling the structure of them using concrete materials like Cuisenaire rods and pictorial models such as tape diagrams. In addition, we will discuss how we can provide experiences meeting the needs of all our learners. Together we can create flexible and confident mathematicians and ensure positive math journeys for all!
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Room Name: Magnolia 6/7
Sue Looney
Sue Looney is the founder of Looney Math Consulting, a professional development agency devoted to supporting educators in the important work of inspiring learners to believe in themselves as powerful mathematicians. She is also the creator of the routine Same But Different Math, which educators access at no cost globally.  She is passionate about spreading the joy of mathematics to all learners – from experienced educators to the youngest of children. Her work is grounded in over 25  years of first-hand experiences with children. Sue holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialty in Mathematics Education from Boston University. Sue has been employed as adjunct faculty at Boston University where she developed and delivered a course for early childhood educators. Sue is part of the Mathkind Global community where she is a member of the advisory board. Sue is the author of Farzanah and the 17 Camels, Same But Different Math, Ying and the Magic Turtle and Exemplars PreK Math. 

Session 1 
Math is Everyone’s Story: Celebrating Culture Through Storytelling, Play, and Puzzles (Any grade level)
Step into the stories behind the math! In this dynamic, all-grade-level session, you’ll explore three captivating math problems from history—each rooted in culture, creativity, and curiosity. Discover how puzzles, play, and storytelling bring math to life, build cross-disciplinary connections, and honor the diverse roots of mathematical thinking. Through hands-on problem solving and rich discussion, you’ll leave with joyful, inclusive strategies that invite every learner to see themselves in the story of math.
Travel back in time to explore math stories and puzzles rooted in history, showing how math is part of everyone’s story. Place math in literary and historical contexts, and discover how storytelling builds both literacy & math knowledge. Solve playful puzzles and engage in explorations. Leave inspired to create inclusive, joyful lessons that celebrate diversity, curiosity, and cultural connection.

Session 2 - Repeat of Session 1

Session 3
Early Math Matters: Promoting Equity through Counting Routines
Counting is one of the earliest math experiences children have—and when done with intention, it lays the groundwork for deep mathematical understanding. In this interactive workshop designed for PreK–Grade 2 educators, you’ll explore three purposeful counting routines that do more than just teach number sequences—they build number sense, uncover patterns, and ignite problem-solving. Together, we’ll look at real classroom examples, connect the routines to research on early math development, and dig into the "why" behind each one. You’ll leave with practical strategies you can use right away to make counting time meaningful, joyful, and mathematically rich. If you're ready to transform how your students see numbers—and how you see their thinking—this workshop will inspire and equip you to make every count matter.
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Room Name: Redbud
Melissa Cobb
Melissa is a Senior Program Manager for the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance. She received her B.S. in Secondary Science Education from Oklahoma State University.  She has 9 years of experience teaching high school Environmental Science, Marine Science, and STEM.  Before becoming an educator, she worked as a Medical Laboratory Technologist.  Melissa is passionate about supporting teachers and helping students overcome barriers, making STEM education more accessible to all. 

Session 1 
Modeling in Science
This session introduces educators to the scientific process of modeling. Modeling allows students to make their thinking visible as they make sense of phenomena, try out ideas and hypotheses, and engage in collective thinking. Modeling replicates the process of figuring out that scientists do as they attempt to make sense of natural phenomena. It engages students' natural curiosity and sense of wonder while they develop a deep understanding of scientific concepts.  Modeling is appropriate for any grade level and topic.  In this session, educators will investigate sound phenomena.

Session 2 - Repeat of Session 1
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Session 3 
Explore Tech
Engage students in critical thinking and other 21st century skills while developing knowledge related to computer science.  Explore Bee Bot and Kubo robots, and discover how technology easily integrates into other STEM concepts.