MCS Staff Learning Journeys: Full Schedule

8:00am EDT

Amplify Learning with AI and Emerging Technology

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

This future-forward pathway will explore how generative AI and emerging technologies can transform your practice and positively impact student outcomes to personalize learning through data-informed decisions that support every student’s growth.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will learn how to use different technologies to support the development of students’ future-ready skills.
Educators will identify and implement tools for efficient and effective teaching and learning.
Educators will gain an understanding of how to support students in the ethical use of AI.

Speakers

Dan Little

Learning Experience Designer, Mason City Schools

I am passionate about making the learning experience for all students powerful, engaging, and fun. I believe in our collective ability to create amazing learning opportunities for students that will help all of them grow to their fullest potential. My personal goal is to cultivate... Read More →

Liz Dooley

Learning Experience Designer, Mason City Schools

Please update your information here!

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

.Purposeful Learning, K-12 Educators

8:00am EDT

Beyond the Page: Designing Authentic Literacy for Secondary Learners

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

In this pathway, 6–12 educators will embed reading, writing, and critical thinking into learning experiences while using student data and AI-supported tools to personalize instruction, provide feedback, and monitor progress. With a focus on purposeful planning, this pathway empowers educators to elevate student voice, foster agency, and deepen understanding across disciplines.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will design learning experiences that meaningfully connect reading and writing, allowing students to demonstrate growth in key disciplinary literacy skills.
Educators will reflect on student work and feedback to refine literacy instruction and strengthen instructional outcomes.
Educators will use classroom data and AI-supported tools to personalize instruction and monitor student growth.

Speakers

Chris Walters

Educational Consultant, HCESC

Chris describes himself as a committed lifelong learner with a varied background, including educator of gifted, twice exceptional, and special education students, curriculum designer, differentiation coach, business consultant, theatrical set designer, and artist. He currently works... Read More →

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

.Purposeful Learning, 6-12 Educators

8:00am EDT

Designing Impactful Specialized Classrooms

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

This pathway is designed for intervention specialists and related services personnel working in specialized classroom settings. Educators will engage in collaborative problem-solving to develop high-quality, evidence-based programming that supports students in structured environments and prepares them for inclusion. Together, participants will design a future-focused model that meets the evolving needs of today’s learners.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will design and refine evidence-based supports that promote success in structured settings and build readiness for inclusion.
Educators will engage in ongoing problem-solving and reflection to address current challenges and adapt supports to meet the evolving needs of their student population.
Educators will co-create a future-focused classroom model that aligns instructional practices, environmental supports, and individualized strategies to promote growth and independence.

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

.Purposeful Learning, Special Education

8:00am EDT

Every Learner, Every Day: Strategies for Supporting Diverse Learners

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

Discover practical, research-based strategies to support diverse learners in your classroom. In this pathway, educators will learn strategies that incorporate data analysis, differentiation, and personalization to create more inclusive, equitable, and empowering learning environments.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will use relevant data to inform instructional decisions.
Educators will incorporate at least 2 new strategies with their learners and reflect on their effectiveness.
Educators will co-construct a strategy toolkit to be able to support the learners now and in the future.

Speakers

Jocelyn Burlew

Learning Experience Designer, Mason City Schools

Please update your information here!

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

.Purposeful Learning, K-12 Educators

8:00am EDT

Foundations for All: Inclusive Early Learning in Action

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

This dynamic pathway is focused on exploring the new preschool curriculum (AEPS-3) and strengthening inclusive practices that support the growth and development of all young learners. Through hands-on collaboration and reflection, you’ll dive into strategies that nurture curiosity, build foundational skills, and create welcoming environments where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will feel confident in implementing the new curricular tools.
Educators will employ a variety of strategies connected to the new curriculum.

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

.Purposeful Learning, Preschool Educators

8:00am EDT

Foundations That Last: Aligned Literacy in Action

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

Design purposeful, student-centered literacy experiences that grow confident readers, writers, speakers, and thinkers. In this pathway, K–5 educators will blend evidence-based instruction with authentic tasks, student voice, and AI-supported tools to refine practice and ensure every learner builds the literacy skills to thrive.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will implement evidence-based strategies to strengthen foundational literacy practices in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Educators will integrate student voice and authentic literacy tasks to increase engagement and ownership.
Educators will use classroom data and AI-supported tools to personalize instruction and monitor student growth.

Speakers

Danielle Creamer

Learning Experience Designer, Mason City Schools

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Carly Powell

Learning Experience Designer, Mason City Schools

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Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

.Purposeful Learning, K-5 Educators

8:00am EDT

Learning without Limits: Crafting Interdisciplinary Learning Experiences

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

In this pathway, K–12 educators will design interdisciplinary experiences that deepen understanding, spark curiosity, and build durable skills through backward design, examining student data, and collaborative planning.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will collaboratively design an interdisciplinary unit that integrates standards, student voice, and real-world connections across two or more content areas.
Educators will implement at least one inquiry-driven, interdisciplinary experience and reflect on its impact on student engagement and understanding.

Speakers

Jill Arminio

Learning Experience Designer, Mason City Schools

Please update your information here!

Gabe Clark

Learning Experience Designer, Mason City Schools

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

.Purposeful Learning, K-12 Educators

8:00am EDT

Making Math Matter in 7-12: Intentional Design with Illustrative Mathematics

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

This pathway supports 7–12 educators in implementing Illustrative Mathematics and Building Thinking Classrooms to design rigorous, student-centered math experiences. Through intentional planning, instructional routines, and data-informed strategies (including AI-supported tools), educators will foster reasoning, discourse, and deep mathematical understanding for all learners.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will implement instructional routines from Illustrative Mathematics and Building Thinking Classrooms that promote student reasoning, collaboration, and discourse.
Educators will use classroom data to inform planning, adjust instruction, and support deeper conceptual understanding.
Educators will explore and apply AI-supported tools to enhance lesson design, provide feedback, and personalize learning in secondary math classrooms.

Speakers

Mike Ross

Educational Consultant, HCESC

I am a consultant for Hamilton County ESC. I primarily work with districts in math curriculum and instruction. I am also part of the statewide Regional Data Leader network. Our goal is to increase the use of data as a tool to inform and guide instruction from the district level to... Read More →

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

.Purposeful Learning, 7-12 Educators

8:00am EDT

Making Math Matter in K-6: Intentional Design with Illustrative Mathematics

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

This pathway supports K–6 educators in implementing Illustrative Mathematics with clarity, confidence, and a commitment to Mason Quality Learning. By blending the power of Illustrative Math with proven strategies like Building Thinking Classrooms, the Workshop Model, and intentional Number Routines, educators will design math experiences that are rigorous, responsive, and rooted in student thinking.
Participants will explore planning structures, discourse routines, and lesson adaptations that elevate conceptual understanding and support productive struggle. Through classroom data, collaborative reflection, and AI-supported tools, educators will refine their practice to ensure every learner is engaged in meaningful, equitable math learning. This pathway empowers teachers to create classrooms where students think deeply, talk math confidently, and see themselves as capable mathematicians.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will design and implement math learning experiences using Illustrative Mathematics that promote student discourse, reasoning, and conceptual understanding.
Educators will use classroom data and student work to inform instructional decisions, adjust pacing, and target support for diverse learners.
Educators will explore and apply AI-supported tools to enhance planning, provide timely feedback, and support personalized learning in mathematics.

Speakers

Krissy Hufnagel

Learning Experience Supervisor K-6, Mason City Schools

As a Learning Experience Supervisor for Mason City Schools, I get to dream big and dig deep into all things elementary teaching and learning. I’m a book lover, a futures thinker, and a firm believer that innovation keeps learning fresh and fun. Whether I’m working with teachers... Read More →

Christina Sherman

Educational Consultant, HCESC

Christina is currently one of the Mathematics Consultants/Coaches at Hamilton County ESC and spends most of her days working collaboratively with K-12 teachers in their classrooms. She has been part an Instructional Coach with HCESC since 2004. Prior to her work at the ESC, Christina... Read More →

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

.Purposeful Learning, K-6 Educators

8:00am EDT

Learning with Purpose: Authentic Experiences & Career Connections

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

This engaging pathway is focused on helping educators design project-based learning experiences that weave classroom content into real-world problems, career exposure, and community connections. Participants will explore strategies that spark curiosity, deepen relevance, and empower students to apply their learning in authentic ways.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will develop at least one project-based learning unit that integrates real-world challenges, career connections, and community engagement into core content areas.
Educators will develop a toolkit of project-based learning strategies that promote student inquiry, foster collaboration, and increase the real-world relevance of academic content.

Speakers

Alison Sears

Learning Experience Designer, Mason City Schools

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Shawna Parkinson

Learning Experience Designer, Mason City Schools

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Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

Connected Community, K-12 Educators

8:00am EDT

Leading Forward: Empowering Change with Purpose

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

This growth-focused pathway is designed for educators looking to strengthen their leadership mindset and drive meaningful change in their schools and classrooms. You’ll explore how to lead alongside your peers—sparking new ideas, supporting risk-taking, and reflecting on impact. Whether you're influencing instructional practices, shaping school systems, or empowering student leaders, this pathway will help you grow as a catalyst for learning and improvement.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Participants will have designed and facilitated a peer learning experience (e.g. lead a “spark session”, facilitate a collaborative inquiry cycle, lead a department meeting) that introduces a new idea or strategy aligned to school or district priorities.
Participants will document and reflect on the impact of a leadership action, such as implementing a system change, mentoring a colleague, or launching a student leadership initiative, using evidence of shifts in practice, mindset, or student experience.

Speakers

Jonathan Cooper

Superintendent, Mason City Schools

Amy Brennan

Deputy Superintendent, Mason City Schools

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Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

Legacy Investments, K-12 Educators

8:00am EDT

Guiding Student Growth: Counseling for Self-Awareness & Decision-Making

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

This pathway supports K–12 counselors in guiding students toward greater self-awareness, confidence, and informed decision-making about their learning and futures. Participants will collaborate across grade levels to explore strengths-based practices, goal setting, future planning, and emerging topics in the field.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Counselors will implement strengths-based strategies that support student self-awareness and goal setting.
Counselors will design or refine practices that help students make informed, future-ready decisions aligned with their interests and strengths.
Counselors will collaborate across grade levels to share strategies and align support for student growth over time.

Speakers

TJ Glassmeyer

Learner Wellbeing & Supports Supervisor, Mason City Schools

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT
TBA

Meaningful Experiences, K-12 Counselors

8:00am EDT

Supporting the Whole Child: Trauma-Informed & Behavior-Responsive Practices

Monday August 11, 2025 8:00am - Friday September 5, 2025 12:00am EDT

TBA

This pathway supports K–12 educators in creating safe, responsive learning environments through trauma-informed and behavior-responsive practices. Educators will explore strategies such as de-escalation, restorative approaches, and executive functioning supports that promote emotional well-being, student independence, and classroom connection.

PATHWAY OUTCOMES:
Educators will implement trauma-informed and proactive behavior strategies to build safe, supportive learning environments.
Educators will apply tools that promote student self-regulation, independence, and executive functioning.
Educators will reflect on and adjust practices to reduce disruptions and strengthen classroom relationships.

Speakers