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

Building Thinking Classrooms in Pre-K: Growing Little Thinkers Through Talk, Questions, and Visible Learning (56)

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

2225

This professional learning session focuses on practical ways Pre-K teachers can cultivate strong thinking skills in young learners by intentionally using open-ended questioning, problem-solving opportunities, and visible learning strategies. Inspired by the work of Peter Liljedahl and the principles of Building Thinking Classrooms, the session explores how these ideas can be adapted for developmentally appropriate early childhood classrooms. Participants will learn how simple teacher moves such as asking thoughtful questions, encouraging student-to-student talk, and capturing children’s ideas, can transform everyday classroom moments into opportunities for deeper thinking. Through modeling, discussion, and hands-on exploration with manipulatives, teachers will experience strategies that help students explain their thinking, test ideas, and learn collaboratively. By the end of the session, educators will leave with practical tools and strategies to create learning environments where curiosity, exploration, and student voice are central to instruction.

Speakers

Zakeia Kennedy

Instructional Coach, Prosper ISD

Liz Mejia

Dual Language Facilitator

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
2225

Instructional, Pre K

9:00am CDT

A Day in the Life of Pre-K: Understanding Early Learning Through Play (62)

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

2225

This session is designed for new Pre-K teachers and kindergarten teachers who would benefit from understanding the structure of a blended Pre-K classroom. Participants will explore how play-based learning drives instruction while teachers differentiate instruction, collect observational data, assess student growth, utilize flexible grouping, and collaborate to support the development of young learners. This professional learning session provides educators with a window into what a typical day looks like in a high-quality Pre-K classroom. Participants will explore how early childhood learning is intentionally designed through play-based experiences, hands-on exploration, and language-rich interactions. The session highlights the essential Pre-K standards, the blended Pre-K classroom model, and developmentally appropriate instructional practices that support young learners. Participants will gain insight into how foundational skills in literacy, math, language, and social development are nurtured through structured routines, learning centers, and purposeful teacher interactions. Through hands-on activities and real classroom examples, teachers will learn how play serves as a powerful tool for developing problem-solving, communication, and independence in young children. By the end of the session, educators will leave with a deeper understanding of the Pre-K learning environment and how it prepares students for future academic success.

Speakers

Penny Morgan

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Prosper ISD

Hello!

I currently teach Pre-K with Prosper ISD and this is my 4th year attending this workshop! I absolutely love it and cannot wait to learn new and innovative ways to help my students learn and grow! This is my 15th year in early childhood special education and my 5th year with ECSE in... Read More →

Laura Boyett

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
2225

Instructional, Pre K, K-2

10:00am CDT

The Art of the Pivot: Small Instructional Shifts for Big Results Focus: Enhancing student engagement through low-preparation, high-impact "small moves" in the Pre-K classroom. (64)

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

2225

Excellence in early childhood education is often about accruing small improvements over time rather than radical change. This session provides Pre-K educators with a toolkit of "small moves"—practical, immediate teacher habits designed to help students talk more, think more, and achieve more. Participants will explore strategies to support the core foundations of listening, speaking, reading, and writing

Speakers

Michaela Geiter

Elementary Instructional Coach, Prosper ISD

Zakeia Kennedy

Instructional Coach, Prosper ISD

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
2225

Instructional, Pre K

12:00pm CDT

A Day in the Life of Pre-K: Understanding Early Learning Through Play (63)

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

2225

Speakers

Penny Morgan

Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Prosper ISD

Laura Boyett

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
2225

Instructional, Pre K, K-2

1:00pm CDT

Beyond Mastery: Meaningful Extensions for Pre-K’s Most Ready Learners (103)

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

2225

In every Pre-K classroom, some students quickly demonstrate mastery of key skills and standards. The challenge then becomes: What’s next? This professional learning session helps teachers design meaningful extension opportunities that deepen thinking rather than simply adding more work. Participants will explore how to intentionally plan extensions for students who have already mastered learning targets (Q4 students in the PLC model) by increasing complexity, creativity, language, and problem solving within play-based learning environments. Teachers will leave with practical strategies, planning tools, and examples that support continued growth for advanced learners while maintaining developmentally appropriate, engaging experiences.

Speakers

Eddy Rodriguez

Paola Bayo Rodriguez

Blended Pre-K Teacher

Hello! My name is Paola Bayo, and I am excited to be entering my 5th year teaching in Prosper Independent School District. I have had the opportunity to teach students from Pre-K through 2nd grade around the world, including in Spain, Japan, Germany, and now here in Texas.Teaching... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
2225

Instructional, Pre K

2:00pm CDT

Playdough Power in Pre-K! (275)

Thursday July 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

2225

Strategies for using Playdough as a learning tool to help build fine motor skills, writing skills, vocabulary and social emotional skills in centers and small groups for our PreK students.

Speakers