Building Thinking Classrooms 2025 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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8:00am PDT

Leveraging AI: Adapting BTC Lessons with Intelligence and Intention

Tuesday July 1, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Step into a classroom experience where AI amplifies BTC-style teaching. In this session, you'll participate in a short BTC-inspired lesson and then get a behind-the-scenes look at how we used AI tools to adapt, enhance, and transform the lesson design. Learn how AI can support the thinking classroom—lessons learned and obstacles to avoid. Whether you’re an AI skeptic or enthusiast, come see how technology can support—not replace—the deep thinking at the heart of BTC.

2025 Conference Presenters

Chase Orton

BTC Team Member, US Consultant, Building Thinking Classrooms

Chase Orton (he/him) is an enthusiastic Building Thinking Classroom (BTC) facilitator whose work nourishes his passion for creating classrooms that are productive, engaging, and humanizing for both students and teachers. For the last eight years, Chase has deliberately implemented... Read More →

Jeff Crawford

Professional Learning Facilitator & Strategic Advisor, Co-thinking Enterprises

I’m a math educator of 30 years and counting—a systems thinker passionate about co-designing learning experiences where educators and students reflect, co-create, and flourish in human-centered communities. I love facilitating learning with people of all ages—because each one... Read More →

Tuesday July 1, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Grand Ballroom #7

BTC in Other Content Areas, General

9:15am PDT

Adapting the Building Thinking Classrooms Framework for the English Classroom

Tuesday July 1, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am PDT

Grand Ballroom #7

Feedback

In an English classroom where students collaborate in random groups at vertical spaces, the opportunities to build communication skills are endless. From analyzing texts to generating ideas to exploring the writing process, a BTC classroom invites students to share their thoughts, develop their voices, and think critically. In this session, we’ll dive into how the English classroom can be transformed into a Thinking Classroom, and reflect on the powerful impact this approach has on students’ development as writers and readers.

2025 Conference Presenters

Aleda Klassen

BTC Team Member, Canadian Consultant, Building Thinking Classrooms

Aleda (she/her) is passionate about supporting educators in learning about and adapting instructional and assessment practices to better meet students’ learning needs. Since 2010, Aleda has worked in the Waterloo Region District School Board, holding a range of roles. As a reflective... Read More →

Tuesday July 1, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am PDT
Grand Ballroom #7

BTC in Other Content Areas, General

11:00am PDT

Armor Against Adversity: BTC & ACEs

Tuesday July 1, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Grand Ballroom #7

Feedback

This session will explore how BTC practices can provide a powerful shield against the adverse effects of childhood trauma. Students from marginalized groups, including those with IEPs, English Language Learners, low-socioeconomic backgrounds, and Indigenous heritage, etc., often experience higher rates of ACEs. By implementing a range of BTC practices, teachers can create a positive classroom culture, promote social-emotional learning, and encourage critical thinking, ultimately benefiting all students, including those from marginalized communities and those impacted by ACEs. This session may evoke powerful emotions, resulting in a renewed sense of determination and motivation to embark or reignite your BTC journey.

2025 Conference Presenters

Laura Streich

High School Math Teacher, MACCRAY High School

I work at a small inclusive school in a rural farming community in greater Minnesota. We have higher than average number of students with IEPs and 504s. We hold the belief that all students are able to learn math at the highest levels. I am lucky to work in a district that is supportive... Read More →

Tuesday July 1, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand Ballroom #7

Connections to Indigenous Education, General

Building Thinking Classrooms 2025 Annual Conference

8:00am PDT

Chase Orton

Jeff Crawford

9:15am PDT

Aleda Klassen

11:00am PDT

Laura Streich

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