Academic Innovation Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

Wednesday June 10, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

One of the keys to success in postsecondary learning is the ability to read, comprehend, and internalize meaning from non-fiction texts. As students move up through grade levels and into postsecondary learning, they move from "learning to read" into "reading to learn". College readiness assessments, such as ACT, ATI-TEAS, the GRE, other pre-licensure exams, have a focus on nonfiction reading skills in the majority of their passages. We will identify some non-traditional, but yet practical materials for nonfiction reading for middle school and high school, as well as how to engage in evaluative writing and values clarification exercises through the text. The speaker will model one mini lesson from his teaching experience; participants will collaboratively workshop activities that could spring from the text, as well as additional lessons from other career-related, non-traditional texts.

Speakers

Wes Calbreath

Asst Director, App State GEAR UP

Wes is the Assistant Director of College Access Services for App State GEAR UP. Prior to joining App State, Wes taught English/Language Arts in Title 1 schools for 7 years before becoming a school counselor. He won Teacher of the Year at the school level for his work with students... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Sycamore Room 107

Breakout Sessions, College & Career Ready

Company Appalachian State GEAR UP
Audience Educators, Administrators / School Leaders, Counselors / Student Support, Specialists
Subject College & Career Readiness
global Y

10:10am EDT

Tapestry of Belonging 2.0

LIMITED

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am EDT

Sycamore Room 107

Limited Capacity seats available

“A Tapestry of Belonging: Where All Students Feel Welcome, Empowered, and Valued” invites educators to reimagine their classrooms and schools as dynamic, interconnected spaces where every student’s identity and voice matter. Using the powerful metaphor of a tapestry—where each thread contributes to a stronger whole—this session explores how fostering belonging can transform school culture, student engagement, and academic success.
Participants will engage in interactive strategies that promote social awareness, empathy, and collaboration, including activities such as Synectics, Hexagonal Thinking, and structured peer dialogue. Grounded in access-focused education, this session highlights practical approaches for creating welcoming environments through differentiated instruction, culturally responsive practices, and relationship-centered teaching.
Attendees will leave with actionable tools to build welcoming classroom spaces, strengthen student voice, and support all learners. Ultimately, this session empowers educators to intentionally weave compassion, understanding, and accessibility into their daily practice—creating learning environments where every student feels seen, heard, and a true sense of belonging.

Speakers

Brittany Brady

Academic Innovation Specialist, Appalachian State GEAR UP

Yolanda Adams

Assistant Director for Student Leadership & Family Outreach, GEAR Up Appalachian State University

Yolanda Adams, originally from Bogotá, Colombia, has proudly called Boone, North Carolina home for over two decades. Her life’s work is rooted in service, advocacy, and a deep commitment to expanding opportunity for all students, families, and communities.
For more than ten years, Yolanda served Watauga County Schools, where she worked directly with students and families to bridge language, cultural, and access gaps. In December 2023, she began a new chapter as Assistant Director for Student Leadership & Family Outreach with GEAR UP... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am EDT
Sycamore Room 107

Breakout Sessions, Student-Centered Teaching