Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Coeur d'Alene School District
A graduate of Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Dr. Nelson works with district educators to administer current and relevant assessments and regularly reports progress toward district and state goals. Idaho’s 2005 Milken National Educator, Dr. Nelson is responsible for the district’s... Read More →
Entering his 6th year leading Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Dr. Hocker brings over three decades of educational experience to his role as Superintendent, including 20 years of executive leadership that has driven district success. A passionate champion for students, educators, and... Read More →
Ever wish you could see exactly what’s happening on your students' screens without hovering over their shoulders? Meet Linewize Classroom Manager! In this beginner-friendly introductory session, we’ll take our very first look at your new digital copilot. You’ll learn how to easily view student screens in real-time, close distracting tabs with a single click, and keep everyone on task during digital lessons.
We promise a zero-stress, step-by-step walkthrough that will leave you feeling completely in control of your digital classroom on day one!
Start the school year with confidence by refreshing your Schoology skills and exploring tools that can save time and improve organization. This session will cover essential back-to-school tasks, best practices for course setup, gradebook management, communication tools, and helpful tips to ensure you're ready for students on day one. Whether you're new to Schoology or just need a refresher, you'll leave with practical strategies you can use immediately.
New school year, new superpower! Join us for a first-look introduction to ClassLink, the all-in-one portal designed to simplify your digital school day. We are stripping away the tech confusion and walking you through the absolute basics. You'll learn how to log in, explore your personalized dashboard, and discover how easy it is for both you and your students to access learning tools instantly. By the end of this 101 session, you'll be ready to wave goodbye to password pandemonium and launch your first day of school with total confidence.
Conflict is a natural part of school life. Students, families, teachers, administrators, and community members all bring strong emotions and perspectives - and when stress is high, even small concerns can quickly intensify. The difference between effective teachers and staff and those who feel overwhelmed isn’t the absence of conflict - it’s the ability to navigate it with skill, confidence, and consistency. This engaging, practical session is designed for school counselors and social workers who want to address conflict directly - without avoiding it, escalating it, or carrying it home at the end of the day. Participants will learn a clear, repeatable framework for handling difficult conversations in ways that preserve relationships, maintain professional boundaries, and keep the focus on what matters most: student well-being and success.
Whether you consider yourself a Google guru or you’re just getting started, this first-look session is your judgment-free zone. We’re stripping away the tech overwhelm and walking you through the absolute essentials of Google for Education. Discover how Classroom, Drive, Docs, and Slides all connect to save you time and keep your lessons organized. We’ll guide you step-by-step through setting up your digital space, sharing assignments, and collaborating with students seamlessly.
Come build your confidence and set yourself up for a smooth, paperless school year!
Every teacher needs a second pair of hands during back-to-school season. Join us for a step-by-step walkthrough of Google Gemini, designed specifically for absolute beginners. We are stripping away the AI overwhelm and focusing strictly on the core basic features that simplify your week. Learn how to use the Gemini side panel inside Google Docs to generate quick lesson hooks, brainstorm fresh classroom activities, and—most importantly—instantly re-level reading passages to support different learners.
Come build your confidence with a safe, secure AI assistant that helps you work smarter, not harder!
Broken smartboard? Wi-Fi trouble? You don’t need to be a tech expert to get it fixed! Welcome to your first look at Incident IQ and its game-changing AI Ticket Assistant. In this beginner-friendly 101 session, we’ll show you how the help desk has been completely reimagined. Forget scrolling through endless drop-down menus or trying to guess the right technical terms. Now, you can just type your problem in plain English (like, "My projector screen is completely blue"), and the built-in AI automatically routes it to the right person, identifies your room, and gets a technician on the case.
Come see how simple it is to get tech support so you can get right back to teaching!
Jim Windisch is an innovative educator specializing in advanced math and reading for grades 3-5 at Bryan Elementary in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Since making mistakes creates tremendous brain growth and learning math effectively requires making connections between many concepts and skills... Read More →
Ready to make Qmlativ work for you? Skip the manual and join our interactive Q&A session! This beginner-friendly workshop is packed with practical tips for teachers and admin office staff. Learn how to customize your dashboard layout, save your favorite shortcuts, and pull the exact reports you need for a successful first week. Bring your questions, leave with a fully personalized setup!
Discover how SchoolAI can support teaching and learning across your classroom. This introductory session will provide an overview of our district's AI platform, including key features for teachers and students, responsible AI use, and practical ways to integrate AI into instruction and workflow. Participants will gain hands-on experience and leave with ideas and resources to begin using SchoolAI confidently and effectively.
Many of us have thought about it: what if I brought my dog to school? So...let's talk about it. If you have the luxury of endless free time, patience, and a liquid income, congratulations. You're magical. But for most educators, bringing a dog to school requires balancing our hearts with logistics. Come join the discussion about the benefits and challenges of bringing dogs into our school community.
Children’s socioemotional well-being is the foundation of their school success, and attachment is at the core of that foundation. This workshop will explore how early attachment experiences create a “blueprint” for relationships and how those patterns show up in the classroom. Educators will also consider how their own attachment style interacts with students’ styles - and how this awareness can lead to more effective, compassionate, and empowering responses to challenging behavior.
Helping students who have experienced adversity starts with understanding how trauma and chronic stress shape the developing brain. This session explores the science of brain development and examine how trauma influences memory, emotional growth, behavior, and readiness to learn. Educators will also discover high-impact strategies to support regulation, connection, and learning.
Ever wish you could see exactly what’s happening on your students' screens without hovering over their shoulders? Meet Linewize Classroom Manager! In this beginner-friendly introductory session, we’ll take our very first look at your new digital copilot. You’ll learn how to easily view student screens in real-time, close distracting tabs with a single click, and keep everyone on task during digital lessons.
We promise a zero-stress, step-by-step walkthrough that will leave you feeling completely in control of your digital classroom on day one!
Start the school year with confidence by refreshing your Schoology skills and exploring tools that can save time and improve organization. This session will cover essential back-to-school tasks, best practices for course setup, gradebook management, communication tools, and helpful tips to ensure you're ready for students on day one. Whether you're new to Schoology or just need a refresher, you'll leave with practical strategies you can use immediately.
Discover how SchoolAI can support teaching and learning across your classroom. This introductory session will provide an overview of our district's AI platform, including key features for teachers and students, responsible AI use, and practical ways to integrate AI into instruction and workflow. Participants will gain hands-on experience and leave with ideas and resources to begin using SchoolAI confidently and effectively.
Children’s socioemotional well-being is the foundation of their school success, and attachment is at the core of that foundation. This workshop will explore how early attachment experiences create a “blueprint” for relationships and how those patterns show up in the classroom. Educators will also consider how their own attachment style interacts with students’ styles - and how this awareness can lead to more effective, compassionate, and empowering responses to challenging behavior.
Many educators are familiar with traditional self-care recommendations such as taking a bubble bath, scheduling a massage, or planning a relaxing weekend. While these activities may be enjoyable, they often feel unrealistic for busy school staff who are balancing demanding workloads, family responsibilities, and limited time and resources.
This training takes a different approach. Rather than focusing on self-care as an activity, it focuses on understanding the body's physiological response to stress. Participants learn about the stress response cycle, how emotions are processed in the brain and body, and why stress can remain "stuck" even after a stressful event has ended.
Grounded in neuroscience and practical application, this training provides simple, evidence-informed strategies that can be used in real time throughout the school day. Participants will learn brief interventions that can be completed in as little as 20 seconds between classes, during planning periods, or throughout the workday to help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
The goal is not to add another task to educators' already full plates. Instead, it is to equip staff with practical tools that work with the realities of school life, helping them better understand their stress responses and develop sustainable habits that support both personal wellness and professional effectiveness.
New school year, new superpower! Join us for a first-look introduction to ClassLink, the all-in-one portal designed to simplify your digital school day. We are stripping away the tech confusion and walking you through the absolute basics. You'll learn how to log in, explore your personalized dashboard, and discover how easy it is for both you and your students to access learning tools instantly. By the end of this 101 session, you'll be ready to wave goodbye to password pandemonium and launch your first day of school with total confidence.
An engaging lesson plan only works if you have a regulated classroom ready to receive it. In this practical, one-hour session, educators will master the essential, foundational principles of proactive classroom management designed to minimize disruptions and maximize instructional time. We will explore how to establish clear, predictable routines, teach behavioral expectations with clarity, and use low-profile interventions to address off-task behavior before it escalates. Participants will leave with an immediate, actionable toolkit to establish a culture of mutual respect, gain confidence in their leadership, and create a structured environment where students feel safe, focused, and ready to learn.
When crisis strikes, communication matters—and so does the calm behind it. In this session, our Executive Director of Community Relations, Stefany Bales, and our Director of Safety & Security, Thomas Gandy, will guide you through the behind-the-scenes systems that activate when emergencies arise. Learn how decisions are made, how communication flows, and why sometimes details can’t be shared—even after the fact. We’ll walk through real-world examples, explain the layers of planning you may not see, and clarify your role when the unexpected happens. Our goal? To ensure you feel grounded, informed, and ready—so you can focus on what matters most: keeping students safe and supported.
Whether you consider yourself a Google guru or you’re just getting started, this first-look session is your judgment-free zone. We’re stripping away the tech overwhelm and walking you through the absolute essentials of Google for Education. Discover how Classroom, Drive, Docs, and Slides all connect to save you time and keep your lessons organized. We’ll guide you step-by-step through setting up your digital space, sharing assignments, and collaborating with students seamlessly.
Come build your confidence and set yourself up for a smooth, paperless school year!
Every teacher needs a second pair of hands during back-to-school season. Join us for a step-by-step walkthrough of Google Gemini, designed specifically for absolute beginners. We are stripping away the AI overwhelm and focusing strictly on the core basic features that simplify your week. Learn how to use the Gemini side panel inside Google Docs to generate quick lesson hooks, brainstorm fresh classroom activities, and—most importantly—instantly re-level reading passages to support different learners.
Come build your confidence with a safe, secure AI assistant that helps you work smarter, not harder!
Broken smartboard? Wi-Fi trouble? You don’t need to be a tech expert to get it fixed! Welcome to your first look at Incident IQ and its game-changing AI Ticket Assistant. In this beginner-friendly 101 session, we’ll show you how the help desk has been completely reimagined. Forget scrolling through endless drop-down menus or trying to guess the right technical terms. Now, you can just type your problem in plain English (like, "My projector screen is completely blue"), and the built-in AI automatically routes it to the right person, identifies your room, and gets a technician on the case.
Come see how simple it is to get tech support so you can get right back to teaching!
Have you ever wanted a chance to hear the perspective of District Office Executives regarding teaching and learning in the Coeur d'Alene School District? In this panel discussion, Superintendent Dr. Shon Hocker, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mike Nelson, Executive Director of Secondary Education Teresa Kennedy, and Executive Director of Elementary Education Heather Somers will discuss questions provided by audience members in a moderated Q&A session.
Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Coeur d'Alene School District
A graduate of Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Dr. Nelson works with district educators to administer current and relevant assessments and regularly reports progress toward district and state goals. Idaho’s 2005 Milken National Educator, Dr. Nelson is responsible for the district’s... Read More →
Entering his 6th year leading Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Dr. Hocker brings over three decades of educational experience to his role as Superintendent, including 20 years of executive leadership that has driven district success. A passionate champion for students, educators, and... Read More →
True classroom success starts long before the first lesson plan is delivered. For students - especially those from histories of trauma or chronic stress - feeling safe, regulated, and connected is the essential prerequisite for academic engagement. Based on Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®), this interactive one-hour session shifts the focus from reacting to challenging behaviors to proactively setting students up for success. Participants will explore how to intentionally prime the Heart (relational needs), Body (physiological needs), and Mind (social and emotional needs) for a thriving school day through practical, trauma-informed strategies.
Ready to make Qmlativ work for you? Skip the manual and join our interactive Q&A session! This beginner-friendly workshop is packed with practical tips for teachers and admin office staff. Learn how to customize your dashboard layout, save your favorite shortcuts, and pull the exact reports you need for a successful first week. Bring your questions, leave with a fully personalized setup!
Even with solid proactive practices and consistent responses to misbehavior, some challenges require a deeper dive. This practical, hands-on session offers a clear behavior problem-solving model, equipping educators with a streamlined protocol they can take back to their MTSS/RTI teams to make meetings more focused, efficient, and effective. In this session, participants will apply a comprehensive 7-step problem-solving model for a real student, working through the model to end with a better understanding of student behavior, a plan for intervention and a practical process for holding student problem solving meetings.
Ever wish you could see exactly what’s happening on your students' screens without hovering over their shoulders? Meet Linewize Classroom Manager! In this beginner-friendly introductory session, we’ll take our very first look at your new digital copilot. You’ll learn how to easily view student screens in real-time, close distracting tabs with a single click, and keep everyone on task during digital lessons.
We promise a zero-stress, step-by-step walkthrough that will leave you feeling completely in control of your digital classroom on day one!
Start the school year with confidence by refreshing your Schoology skills and exploring tools that can save time and improve organization. This session will cover essential back-to-school tasks, best practices for course setup, gradebook management, communication tools, and helpful tips to ensure you're ready for students on day one. Whether you're new to Schoology or just need a refresher, you'll leave with practical strategies you can use immediately.
Many educators are familiar with traditional self-care recommendations such as taking a bubble bath, scheduling a massage, or planning a relaxing weekend. While these activities may be enjoyable, they often feel unrealistic for busy school staff who are balancing demanding workloads, family responsibilities, and limited time and resources.
This training takes a different approach. Rather than focusing on self-care as an activity, it focuses on understanding the body's physiological response to stress. Participants learn about the stress response cycle, how emotions are processed in the brain and body, and why stress can remain "stuck" even after a stressful event has ended.
Grounded in neuroscience and practical application, this training provides simple, evidence-informed strategies that can be used in real time throughout the school day. Participants will learn brief interventions that can be completed in as little as 20 seconds between classes, during planning periods, or throughout the workday to help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
The goal is not to add another task to educators' already full plates. Instead, it is to equip staff with practical tools that work with the realities of school life, helping them better understand their stress responses and develop sustainable habits that support both personal wellness and professional effectiveness.
New school year, new superpower! Join us for a first-look introduction to ClassLink, the all-in-one portal designed to simplify your digital school day. We are stripping away the tech confusion and walking you through the absolute basics. You'll learn how to log in, explore your personalized dashboard, and discover how easy it is for both you and your students to access learning tools instantly. By the end of this 101 session, you'll be ready to wave goodbye to password pandemonium and launch your first day of school with total confidence.
Every teacher needs a second pair of hands during back-to-school season. Join us for a step-by-step walkthrough of Google Gemini, designed specifically for absolute beginners. We are stripping away the AI overwhelm and focusing strictly on the core basic features that simplify your week. Learn how to use the Gemini side panel inside Google Docs to generate quick lesson hooks, brainstorm fresh classroom activities, and—most importantly—instantly re-level reading passages to support different learners.
Come build your confidence with a safe, secure AI assistant that helps you work smarter, not harder!
Every teacher needs a second pair of hands during back-to-school season. Join us for a step-by-step walkthrough of Google Gemini, designed specifically for absolute beginners. We are stripping away the AI overwhelm and focusing strictly on the core basic features that simplify your week. Learn how to use the Gemini side panel inside Google Docs to generate quick lesson hooks, brainstorm fresh classroom activities, and—most importantly—instantly re-level reading passages to support different learners.
Come build your confidence with a safe, secure AI assistant that helps you work smarter, not harder!
Broken smartboard? Wi-Fi trouble? You don’t need to be a tech expert to get it fixed! Welcome to your first look at Incident IQ and its game-changing AI Ticket Assistant. In this beginner-friendly 101 session, we’ll show you how the help desk has been completely reimagined. Forget scrolling through endless drop-down menus or trying to guess the right technical terms. Now, you can just type your problem in plain English (like, "My projector screen is completely blue"), and the built-in AI automatically routes it to the right person, identifies your room, and gets a technician on the case.
Come see how simple it is to get tech support so you can get right back to teaching!
Ready to make Qmlativ work for you? Skip the manual and join our interactive Q&A session! This beginner-friendly workshop is packed with practical tips for teachers and admin office staff. Learn how to customize your dashboard layout, save your favorite shortcuts, and pull the exact reports you need for a successful first week. Bring your questions, leave with a fully personalized setup!
Discover how SchoolAI can support teaching and learning across your classroom. This introductory session will provide an overview of our district's AI platform, including key features for teachers and students, responsible AI use, and practical ways to integrate AI into instruction and workflow. Participants will gain hands-on experience and leave with ideas and resources to begin using SchoolAI confidently and effectively.
Even with solid proactive practices and consistent responses to misbehavior, some challenges require a deeper dive. This practical, hands-on session offers a clear behavior problem-solving model, equipping educators with a streamlined protocol they can take back to their MTSS/RTI teams to make meetings more focused, efficient, and effective. In this session, participants will apply a comprehensive 7-step problem-solving model for a real student, working through the model to end with a better understanding of student behavior, a plan for intervention and a practical process for holding student problem solving meetings.
One of the most common questions after a trauma-informed schools presentation is: “This is great, I understand kids from hard places struggle…but what about accountability?” This workshop explores how to discipline students effectively while balancing multiple goals: increasing motivation, teaching problem-solving skills, maintaining order, and sustaining strong relationships within a Culture of Safety. Participants will gain practical strategies for managing challenging behaviors without losing connection.
Have you ever had a student who struggles to read aloud, spell correctly or recall what you've just taught, or refuse to write? In this session, you'll look at student indicators of issues within the reading process. You'll also discover some very practical, strategic strategies for students who struggle with, but have the right to literacy!
I am a teacher, writer, reader, thinker. I love cake, lesson planning, hiking, running and my family. I am technically a K-12 Reading Specialist, English teacher (9-12) and am certified to teach K-8. I love my profession and have learned so much from colleagues over the year in the... Read More →
