CITL Summer Institute 2026

This professional development session is designed to support middle school educators in improving student access, engagement, and comprehension through the integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and executive function strategies. UDL is a research-based framework that emphasizes proactive instructional design to reduce barriers and support the variability of all learners.
The session will explore the critical role of Executive Function skills—including planning, organization, working memory, task initiation, and self-monitoring—in student learning. Teachers will examine how these skills directly impact academic performance and comprehension, particularly as instructional demands increase in middle school.
Participants will be introduced to the three core principles of UDL—engagement, representation, and action & expression—and how these can be applied to support diverse learners. The training will also address common misconceptions about UDL and emphasize that the framework maintains high expectations while providing flexible pathways to learning.
A primary focus of the session is on practical application. Teachers will learn and practice implementing classroom strategies that support executive functioning, including:

• Structuring and chunking assignments
• Providing clear, visible instructions and models
• Supporting task initiation and time management
• Embedding organizational systems and routines
• Developing student self-monitoring and reflection skills
• Offering multiple ways for students to demonstrate understanding

Additionally, the session will highlight the connection between executive function and comprehension, demonstrating how instructional supports such as guided notes, graphic organizers, and scaffolded tasks can improve students’ ability to process and retain information.
The session includes opportunities for reflection and collaboration, allowing participants to apply concepts directly to their own classroom assignments and instructional practices.
Learning OutcomesParticipants will:

• Understand the principles and purpose of Universal Design for Learning
• Recognize the role of executive function in student learning and behavior
• Identify common executive function challenges in middle school students
• Apply UDL-aligned strategies to reduce barriers and support comprehension
• Develop practical tools to increase student independence and success 

This workshop moves beyond AI-proofing to AI-integration, focusing on designing lessons that leverage generative tools to reach the higher echelons of Bloom’s Taxonomy. We will dive into a strategic curriculum redesign that propels students beyond simple recall and into the realm of critical evaluation, synthesis, and complex analysis. You’ll leave with a playbook of 'human-centric' techniques where AI handles rote tasks, freeing your students to engage in the deep inquiry and sophisticated thinking that only a human mind can navigate.

Recent research indicates that vocabulary develops most effectively when students encounter words repeatedly in meaningful content contexts and engage in active discussion and use—rather than through isolated memorization. This session emphasizes redesigning how instructional time is used, not adding more of it. Even students with strong expressive vocabularies may underperform on standardized assessments when they have limited experience with contextual word meaning, academic language, depth of word knowledge, and complex sentence structures. Participants will learn five small instructional moves that integrate seamlessly into existing lessons and lead to significant gains in students’ vocabulary and overall language development.

Bring to the session the teacher's edition of one unit of study.

This workshop focuses on weaving STEM concepts into any subject without adding more to your plate using MagicSchool AI. We start by exploring how MagicSchool can take the heavy lifting out of lesson planning, focusing on how the platform can help integrate central ideals like logic and problem-solving into your lessons with ease. I will walk you through the go-to tools for creating rubrics, generating lesson ideas, and simplifying complex topics so you can make learning more accessible for all students. To wrap things up, we’ll discuss how to encourage creativity and individuality with different ways to quickly spark curiosity with custom writing prompts and lesson connections that can connect your specific subjects' curriculum to the real world!

With so many writing tools available, the key is knowing how to organize and use them effectively. This workshop focuses on grouping tools by purpose to support intentional writing instruction. Participants will explore how writing progressions, checklists, and rubrics can help students set goals, guide small-group instruction, and strengthen writing skills. The session also highlights the use of demonstration writing samples, gamification strategies, and purposeful editing practices. Teachers will leave with practical ideas for creating a strong, student-centered writing plan that makes writing both structured and engaging. 

Bring to the session a writing unit of study, writing progression, writing checklist, anchor chart, and/or student piece of writing.

This Canva workshop will help you swap those late-night design struggles for a much faster and more creative workflow. We start by looking at why Canva is such a lifesaver, focusing on how the massive template library can shave hours off your prep time while making your materials look incredibly polished.
Walk through the basics like using the elements tab, editing templates for graphics, videos, and uploading your own files, so you feel comfortable navigating the editor.
Take your digital classroom to the next level by diving into Canva’s powerful real-time collaboration tool and sharing features. We will cover "pro teacher moves" like setting up shared templates and team spaces. This allows your students to get in on the fun in a controlled, monitored environment where they can brainstorm and design together.
Whether you're looking to streamline your lesson plans or empower your students to build interactive digital projects, you'll leave this session with a modern toolkit ready for the new school year.

We all have them: those moments, projects, or conversations from the past year that we rushed past but secretly wished we could have paused to truly unpack. Hindsight is a dedicated space to do just that. In this interactive workshop, we will use our collective wisdom to help each other gain clarity on the moments that mattered most to you.


Bring one experience from your year that you want to reflect on further. Your peers will help you analyze it, challenge your assumptions, and offer fresh feedback. We will share practical tools and frameworks that we personally wish we had possessed during our own pivotal moments this year. Leave not just with closure on the past, but with a sharpened toolkit for the year ahead.

Workshop information is coming!

Unlock the potential of AI-driven study prep with Knowt, an all-in-one platform designed to transform static resources into dynamic, interactive learning experiences in seconds. This immersive masterclass dives into the power of over 35 custom tools that allow educators to instantly create additional practice opportunities from the following sources: YouTube videos, Google Slides, PDFs, and even handwritten notes. No time to create material from scratch? Knowt has a comprehensive library of over 5 million ready-made resources that include practice tests, flashcards, and podcast-style summaries. Participants will engage in hands-on exploration, learning how to import existing materials from Quizlet, Kahoot, or Wayground with a single click to create customized study tools for every learner. We will explore how to empower student agency through tools like "Chat with Kai," a built-in AI tutor, which provides a secure, teacher-monitored environment for students to talk their way through concepts via voice chat—a game-changer for auditory learners and those with literacy challenges. By the end of the session, you will be equipped to utilize Knowt’s real-time Teacher Analytics to monitor student interactions, identify learning gaps, and differentiate instruction through spaced-repetition "Learn Modes," ensuring every student meets their goals while fostering independent, long-term mastery ensuring every student achieves long-term mastery while you reclaim your most valuable resource: time.

Target Audience: This session is ideal for those looking to transform existing notes into personalized, interactive mastery tools for every student.

Transform your classroom into a vibrant center for spatial reasoning and creative problem-solving by mastering the intuitive world of Tinkercad. This workshop is specifically designed for teachers across all disciplines to demonstrate how a simple 3D workspace can help students visualize complex, abstract ideas through a hands-on, digital-to-physical workflow. We will begin by navigating the 3D workplane and mastering the core controls of resizing and grouping shapes, proving that a "maker mindset" is accessible to every educator regardless of their subject area.
Beyond basic modeling, you will explore the revolutionary Simulation Lab to test physics, gravity, and material interactions on your designs in real-time, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and physical reality. Whether you are helping students rebuild historical architecture, model geometric theorems, or design physics experiments, this session emphasizes low-stakes iteration—allowing students to fail fast, fix mistakes instantly, and refine their thinking. We will conclude by exploring how 3D design can help bring student work to life, ensuring you leave with the confidence to use Tinkercad in your next project.

Financial planning doesn’t have to be a second job. Earl and Julie are breaking down the "how-to" of building long-term wealth specifically for educators. We’ll look at easy ways to maximize your income, demystify the world of investing, and share family-friendly habits that keep your finances on track. No complex math required—just a clear roadmap to the future you’ve earned.

As the school year winds down, educators often find themselves exhausted, emotionally stretched, and already thinking ahead to next year. This interactive workshop is designed specifically for participants who want to end the year with intention rather than depletion. Participants will explore practical, research‑informed strategies to restore energy, reduce stress, and protect their well‑being after one of the most demanding times of the academic calendar. Through guided reflection, peer connection, and simple nervous‑system regulation practices, participants will leave with tools they can use immediately. Educators cannot pour from an empty cup. Ending the year well sets the foundation for starting the next one strong. This workshop balances reflection with action, offering space to acknowledge challenges while focusing on renewal and sustainability.

Description: Elevate your digital classroom environment by transforming the world’s favorite bulletin board into a sophisticated space for deep inquiry and real-time collaboration. This workshop dives into Padlet’s versatile digital canvas, exploring how it revolutionizes the way students interact and build collective knowledge. Participants will engage in hands-on exploration of an interface that now goes far beyond simple columns, featuring over 250 curated templates for everything from concept maps, KWL charts, to interactive timelines. We will navigate the platform’s impressive connectivity, learning how to seamlessly integrate songs and GIFs to generate live polls, elicit student ideas, or capture post-session feedback. You will also master the newest workflow shortcuts, such as transforming a collaborative board into a slideshow presentation with a single click. By the end of this session, you will be equipped to leverage Padlet’s features to ensure every student feels empowered to contribute and be valued within a secure, teacher-monitored environment.

Target Audience: This session is ideal for those who want to foster inclusive classroom discussions, organize students' ideas visually, and create dynamic spaces for collaborative brainstorming.