Prosper Connects '26: Full Schedule

Prosper Connects 26: Your Ultimate Professional Learning Adventure!
Get Ready for the most incredible day of learning in Prosper ISD! July 30th at Walnut Grove High School | Over 300 Sessions Await!

Calling all educators! Prepare for a day packed with inspiration, innovation, and incredible learning opportunities. From the electrifying drumline welcome to the delicious indoor lunch options from the Walnut Grove cafeteria serving up a variety of food, this isn’t just another professional development day – it’s a celebration of education!
✨ Highlights:

👕Attire: Favorite Team Jersey, jeans, and comfortable shoes
🚍Grab the Shuttle from Rock Hill HS (16061 N Coit Rd, Frisco, TX 750) for easy parking (runs every 20 min)
🥁 Epic Drumline Kick-Off
☕Breakfast Options: Union Coffee and Baked Goods & Sonic
🌮 INSIDE Lunch options provided by Aramark and Hardy’s Cafe: Union Coffee, Cane’s, Chick-fil-A, Jimmy John’s, Sonic, Pizza Hut, Greens & Grains, Sushi, Taco Line, & Hardy’s Cafe
🧠 GT Credit Sessions Available (sessions that are orange = GT)
📚 Up to 6 Professional Learning Hours

8:00am CDT

Using Debate Across the Curriculum (29)

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

1204

Debate serves as a high-impact,, student-centered tool for on-level and gifted education, fostering advanced critical thinking, research skills, and structured argumentation. Learn from one of our most innovative Debate Coaches and the Director of Academic Competition over Speech and Debate to learn how to streamline the use of debate in your class. Ideas will be provided that will help enhance the learning through the different types of debate that can be used in a classroom. There are more than 5 types of debate and many can be retrofitted to take learning to the next level in YOUR classroom. Based upon student ability, different types can be used on the same lesson.

Speakers

Hannah Rodriguez

Speech & Debate Coach

Racy Kane

Director of Academic Competition, Prosper ISD

Racy Kane serves as Director of Academic Competition for Prosper ISD where she supports Speech and Debate throughout the district, Spelling Bee, Mock Trial, Robotics, and UIL Academics at the district's 30 campuses.
Prior to moving to the district office, Racy was the Associate Principal at Prosper HS where she served in campus administration for 6 years. She runs multiple UIL District contests in the North Texas area and is the UIL Regional Director for Region 2-5A and 1-6A. For the past 13... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
1204

GT, 6-8, 9-12

9:00am CDT

Building a Team - Strategies on the Culture of building ACADEMIC UIL teams (27)

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

1204

Experienced coaches known for having large and committed teams share their tips and tricks for getting students involved and keeping them involved in the extra-curricular activities. When the draw of competition isn't enough, these strategies will help you keep students coming back year after year.

Speakers

Rachael Cummings

Hannah Rodriguez

Speech & Debate Coach

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
1204

Student Leadership, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

10:00am CDT

Helping Each Other - Building a Community of Extra-Curricular Support (28)

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

1204

Many extra-curricular and co-curricular events overlap with others. Come meet with a variety of Academic and CTE coaches to discuss how we can help each other. For example, in CTE there are events for speaking and we have a robust speech program to support.

Speakers

Hunter Parrish

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
1204

Instructional, 6-8, 9-12

12:00pm CDT

Building a Team - Strategies on the Culture of building ACADEMIC UIL teams (26)

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

1204

Speakers

Rachael Cummings

Hannah Rodriguez

Speech & Debate Coach

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
1204

Instructional, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

1:00pm CDT

Being an Elementary UIL Academic Campus Coordinator (30)

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

1204

Attendees will learn the resources provided to them and strategies for handling the position of UIL Academic Campus Coordinator smoothly. All Coordinators are encouraged to attend to get prepared for the upcoming school year.

Speakers