2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat

June 17th - 19th, 2025

The 2025 Summer Retreat is a three-day virtual professional learning experience, taking place on June 17th, 18th, and 19th! It’s designed to allow you to choose the sessions that best meet your needs and the needs of your students. Whether you’re looking to build on existing skills or explore new strategies, this retreat has something for everyone. Each session qualifies for PD hours, making it a valuable opportunity for professional growth. Registration is now open! Explore this year’s retreat lineup, including daily themes and focus areas. Scroll down to learn more and start planning your schedule.

Ready to Register?

The 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat will be hosted in Discere, APSRC’s enhanced Learning Management System.

Discere serves as your central hub for APSRC event registrations, certificates, session history, and materials—all in one place. Once registered, you’ll access virtual sessions directly through your Discere account, with no need for Zoom links. Attendance and certification history are tracked automatically. New to Discere? Step-by-step instructions are available here to help you get started.

Please note: Registration in Discere is required to attend any Summer Retreat session. Zoom links will not be sent, and attendees cannot join without first registering. After registering, you’ll receive reminders with instructions on how to join via your account.

Tip: Use the Quick Links tab on the right to navigate directly to sessions, FAQs, and more—or simply keep scrolling to explore all Summer Retreat sessions.

Quick Links

New to Discere?

Summer Retreat FAQ

View All Sessions in Discere

Summer Retreat Landing Page in Discere (Sign-in Required)

Day 1 - June 17th

Day 2 - June 18th

Day 3 - June 19th

View Full Schedule

Day 1 - June 17th,
Empower, Align, Achieve

  • Arkansas Accountability

    Presenter: Hope Worsham, DESE

    8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.

    Session Description TBD

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  • Collective Strategic Planning

    Presenter: Dr.George Galindo, Great Minds

    10:15 A.M. - 11:15 A.M.

    Session Description TBD.

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  • Data Optimization Tools

    Presenter: Ben Janelle, APSRC Director of Technology

    11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

    Session Description TBD.

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  • ALA Reach

    1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

    Presenter: Jenni Donohoo, Author of Collective Efficacy

    Session Description TBD.

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View Sessions in Discere

Day 2 - June 18th,
Supporting Special Populations

  • Behavior Session

    Presenters: Kelly Davis and Sandy Crawley, from Arkansas Behavioral Support Specialists

    8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.

    Session Description TBD

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  • Goals that Grow: Charting a Course for Student Progress

    Presenters: Julie Amstutz from DESE

    8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.

    Participants will revisit the essential components of writing clear, measurable, and meaningful IEP goals. Educators will learn how to develop goals that not only meet compliance requirements but also support real student growth. Participants will leave with practical strategies for aligning goals with identified needs and ensuring progress is both trackable and purposeful.

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  • Trauma-Invested Classrooms

    Presenter: Amanda Musick, from Arkansas Aware

    9:40 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

    Based on the work of Kristin Souers and Pete Hall, this session will walk educators through what trauma-invested teachers do and how a trauma-invested classroom functions. Educators will develop a greater understanding of the impact of trauma on young children, how the impact can shape young people as they develop into adults, and how those impacts can impede a child’s ability to learn over the course of their development.

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  • Differentiation and the Gifted Learner

    Presenter: Sally Stuart, APSRC

    10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

    This workshop will define characteristics of giftedness as well as provide strategies for designing lessons to meet the gifted learner’s needs.

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  • Dyslexia and the IEP

    Presenter: Sandra Doggett from APSRC

    10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

    This presentation covers how and when dyslexia can be documented in the IEP, including key components adn implementation strategies to support student learning.

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  • Empowering Futures: Arkansas Rehabilitation Services and the Transition to Postsecondary Success

    Presenter: MaryAnn Caldwell, from Arkansas Rehabilitation Services

    12:50 - 1:50 P.M.

    Session Description TBD.

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  • Arkansas ESOL Support and Resources

    Presenters: Carrie Acrey and Maria Touchstone from DESE

    12:50 P.M. - 1:50 P.M.

    Session Description TBD.

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  • Challenges and Opportunities of Educational Interpreters

    Presenter: Aida Kuettle, ABICE Credentialed Interpreter

    2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

    Session Description TBD.

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  • Present Levels with Purpose: Telling the Student's Story

    Presenters: Julie Amstutz from DESE

    2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

    Participants will revisit the foundational components of writing effective Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statements. Emphasizing both academic and functional performance, this session will highlight the critical role of the PLAAFP in telling each student’s unique story. Attendees will learn how to craft purposeful PLAAFPs that clearly identify strengths and needs, setting the stage for meaningful, individualized goals and objectives. Whether you're new to writing IEPs or looking to refine your practice, this session will reinforce the importance of letting the student’s current performance guide the path forward.

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  • Making Time for Every Learner: Inclusive Scheduling Strategies for Special Education

    Presenter: Kelli Gordon, Director of Special Education at Conway Public Schools

    9:40 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

    In this session, participants will explore effective scheduling practices that support inclusive education in both elementary and secondary school settings. We'll examine how to align special education services with general education instruction to promote access, participation, and progress for all students. Topics include collaborative planning, co-teaching, push-in vs. pull-out models, and maximizing instructional time while meeting IEP service minutes. Educators will learn practical tools and strategies for creating schedules that prioritize student needs, support staff collaboration, and foster a culture of inclusion.

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Day 3 - June 19th,
It's All About Instruction

  • Get to Know the PLDs

    Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey from APSRC

    8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.

    Join APSRC's Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey to dive into the Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) to gain a deeper understanding of this amazing resource. Come ready to learn what PLDs are and the impact this resource can have on your instructional practices. 

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  • Empowering Educators: Elevating Elementary Teaching Through High-Quality Instruction

    Presenters: Katie Chacon and Anne Holder from ADE

    8:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.

    Session Description TBD.

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  • Inclusive Practices/UDL

    Presenters: Caroline Nail and Sandra Doggett from APSRC

    8:30 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

    Session Description TBD.

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  • Successful Implementation of Lesson Internalization with Secondary Teachers

    Presenters: Jessica Wright, Kim Bowerman, and Tally Harp from APSRC

    8:30 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

    Have you heard this new buzz phrase - lesson internalization?? Join us to get answers to the following questions: What is it? Why is it important? What are the key factors for success with this practice at the secondary level? 

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  • PLDs and DOK

    Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey from APSRC

    9:40 A.M. - 10:40 A.M.

    In this session, Cheryl and Stefanie will continue to focus on using PLDs to drive instruction. This session will take the conversation a step further to focus on how Performance Level Descriptors can help teachers create questions of differing Depth of Knowledge (DOK), while remaining within grade-level standards.

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  • PLDs and Aligning Instruction

    Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Stefanie Smithey from APSRC

    10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

    In our 3rd session focusing on the power of the PLDs, we will dive into how this resource can be used for instructional alignment. With a continued focus on teachers providing grade-level instruction for ALL students, performance level descriptors can make a teacher's job a little easier by framing each standard and what a student must be able to accomplish to perform at a Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or a Level 4 understanding of grade level material.

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  • Level 1 on ATLAS at the Secondary Level? Now What?

    Presenters: Jessica Wright and Kim Bowerman from APSRC

    10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

    Join us to discuss motivational and instructional strategies on how to move secondary students out of the Level 1 range on ATLAS.

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  • Small Groups Elementary

    Presenters: Annette Neely and Tally Harp from APSRC

    10:50 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.

    Participants will explore various strategies, tools, and skills in order to build effective learning centers in the classroom.

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  • PLDs and CFAs

    Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Caroline Nail from APSRC

    12:50 P.M. - 1:50 P.M.

    In this session, APSRC's Co-Director of Teaching & Learning, Caroline Nail, will join Cheryl Blue to discuss how the PLDs can be used to support the creation of standards-aligned Common Formative Assessments (CFAs). CFAs are used to drive instruction all across the state of Arkansas. Join this session to learn how we can make sure that data is consistently aligned to standards and how we can utilize that data to truly grow ALL students. 

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  • PLDs and Performance Based Grading

    Presenters: Cheryl Blue and Caroline Nail from APSRC

    2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

    In the final session on PLDs, Cheryl and Caroline will discuss how this tool simplifies performance-based grading. The tool can help individual teachers, teacher teams, and entire campuses align their instructional expectations. This will increase the ability of students, parents, and educators to be on the same page and work together to ensure all students can meet grade-level expectations. 

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  • Engaging all Students in 3D Science Learning

    Presenters: Katie Chacon & Stephanie Johnson-Carlton from ADE

    12:50 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

    Session Description TBD.

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  • Successful Implementation of Lesson Internalization for Elementary Level HQIM

    Presenters: Jessica Wright, Kim Bowerman, and Tally Harp from APSRC

    12:50 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

    Have you heard this new buzz phrase - lesson internalization?? Join us to get answers to the following questions: What is it? Why is it important? What are the key factors for success with this practice at the elementary level? 

    REGISTER NOW
View Sessions in Discere

Summer Professional Learning Retreat Updates & Announcements

APSRC Bulletin
Register Now for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat
Register Now for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat

Registration is now open for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat, taking place virtually June 17–19. Explore the schedule, register in Discere, and start planning your PD experience today.

Read More →
Discover the Topics for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat!
Discover the Topics for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat!

The 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for June 17th-19th and get ready for three days of virtual professional learning designed to empower, align, and support your teaching. Each day focuses on different topics, including Empower, Align, Achieve, Supporting Special Populations, and It’s All About Instruction. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Read More →
Save the Date for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat
Save the Date for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat

APSRC is thrilled to announce the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat, happening virtually from June 17th to 19th. This three-day event offers a flexible learning experience with sessions tailored to support your professional growth and student needs. All sessions are eligible for PD hours. Stay tuned for more details and make sure to join our mailing list to receive updates!

Read More →

Join Our Mailing List

Be sure to join our mailing list to receive all updates and ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!