Capital Conference - Thursday June 27th 2024

ACADEMIC COORDINATORS AND ALL ATTENDEES

Session 100. Surviving as a Novice UIL Academic Coordinator. Let us share our coordinating experience with you and provide some guidance as to how to get started and how to keep going. Ofelia Garza and Angie Culberson Espinosa, Mission Sharyland HS. Room 104

Session 101.Talking to Social Media. Let’s engage in open discourse on educators’ wise approach to this medium. Racy Kane, Prosper ISD. Room 201

ACADEMICS

Session 102. Current Issues & Events: Getting Started. For newer coaches in this contest, we'll go over the form of the contest and tips and tricks for success. We'll also share ideas from winning schools about how to study. Dr. Bradley Wilson, state contest director. Room 105

Session 103. Ready Writing: Getting Back to Basics. A close-reading and rhetorical approach to reading and writing. Ruben Rodriguez, state contest director. Room 108

STEM

Session 104. Looking Back at the 2024 HS Calculator Contests. This session will focus on contest problems from the 2024 tests written by Dr. David Bourell, and how to solve them. Bring your questions about specific problems and we’ll attempt to produce a solution for you! Andy Zapata, UIL math consultant. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 4

Robotics - Visit information tables for BEST, FIRST and RECF-VEX in the Exhibitor Area outside the Zlotnik Ballroom on Thursday.

A+ ACADEMICS

Session 105. A+ Overview and Rules. I’ll cover the basics of an A+ Academic program and answer any questions you may have. Lisa Parker, UIL director of A+. Room Pecos RH3

SPEECH

Session 106. Training for the New Speech Coach: Seeing the Big Picture. Meet your UIL Speech, Debate and Congress Director to share with you an overview of the UIL speech and debate high school forensic program. Jana Riggins, UIL Speech Director. Room 204

Session 107.How to Advocate for Your Speech Program and Curriculum. For all coaches. Professional methods on advocating before your school board and administration to achieve the results you hope for will be examined. Nicole Cornish, Athens ISD. Room 103

Session 101. Talking to Social Media. (For All) Participate in this honest discussion of the pitfalls educators can slip into that have far-reaching and unintended negative impacts. Racy Kane, Prosper ISD. Room 201

THEATRE

Session 109. What to Know When You Don’t Know Anything. This session is for those theatre teachers who didn't major in theatre or are just starting their theatre teaching career and not sure where to start. Haley Hertel and Craig Hertel, Tioga HS. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 3

Session 110. Getting Started with the UIL Film Festival. Get informed about the categories & rules, view examples of past winners, and find the inspiration to use film as a storytelling medium. Paula Rodriguez, UIL Theatre Director. Room 106

Session 111. Theatrical Design: What is it and How to Get Started? Introducing the basics for beginning teachers and incorporating the contest into your classwork. Rachael Gomez, state contest director; Jacqueline Zepeda, PSJA North HS. Room Guadalupe RH4

ACADEMIC COORDINATORS AND ALL ATTENDEES

Session 150. Leveraging Technology for Efficient UIL Meet Hosting. Streamline hosting a UIL meet with Google Tools. Key takeaways will include hands-on experience with Google Sites, Forms and Slides. Bring your laptop or device for a fully interactive session. Abel Zamora Jr. and Kassandra Estrada, La Joya ISD. Room 105

ACADEMICS

Session 151. Ready Writing: Taking the Composition High Road. A nuanced, complex approach to higher level thinking and writing in Ready Writing. JR Segundo, Mission Sharyland HS and Ruben Rodriguez, state contest director. Room 108

STEM

Session 152. Number Sense: Introduction to the High School Contest. Contest basics, including rules, test structure, strategies, and more. Larry White, state contest director. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 4

Session 153. Robotics: Introduction to UIL Robotics. An overview of program structure, options and guidelines for participation, and more. David Trussell, UIL STEM Director. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 6

A+ ACADEMICS

Session 154. A+ Science Overview. An overview of the A+ Science contest will be discussed.  In addition, participants will receive coaching hints as well as useful links to help communicate and prepare your team for the contest. Becky Arndt Key, Robinson HS. Room 116

Session 155. A+ Coordinator: Keeping it All Together. There are 74 UIL A+ events if you do not group any contests. How do you organize coaches, students, and materials, and keep your own sanity? Kimberly Sloane, Chireno ISD. Room Pecos RH3

Session 163. Theatrical Design: It’s Here for A+ Middle School. Introducing the Middle School Theatrical Design Pilot Contest Prompt and how to get your students ready to compete. Rachael Gomez, state contest director. Room Guadalupe RH4

SPEECH

Session 156. Learning to Use SpeechWire to Manage Your Speech Tournament. SpeechWire is the official tournament management system of UIL. Gain knowledge of its capabilities and confidence in using it to make your tournament more efficient. Jennifer Adams, Big Spring HS. Room 103

Session 157. Prose & Poetry: Where Does a New Coach Begin? Join us for a discussion of contest rules, fundamentals for turning students into interpretive readers and tips, tricks and timelines for preparation that can make you a confident coach. Shawn Duthie, Holliday HS. Room 104

Session 158. Lincoln Douglas Debate: An Introduction. For novice debate coaches. Getting familiar with value debate, including the format, speaker responsibilities, and case construction of LD Debate. Kenneth Adcock, Ore City HS. Room 107

Session 159. Roundtable: UIL CX and LD Debate. For varsity coaches. An interactive discussion over strategies for increasing participation, possible judging fee restrictions, as well as your ideas for change. Jana Riggins, UIL Speech Director and Rich Edwards, UIL cross-entry consultant. Room 201

THEATRE

Session 160. Where/How Do I Begin? Documentary Filmmaking: Explore the UIL Documentary Film category. Elisabeth Sikes, UIL staff. Room 106

Session 161. Play Selection and Cutting: Your Biggest Battle. This session will look at ways to approach one of the most important decisions a One-Act Play Director makes: selection of the play and cutting it to fit the contest, publisher restrictions, and their community standards. Rod Sheffield, Magnolia HS. Room 115

Session 162. Found Objects. Tips and tricks of how to get creative with your set, props, and staging! One object can become anything you want on stage - suitcases, trunks, umbrellas, ladders, fabric, rope, a beach ball, and more! Haley Hertel and Craig Hertel, Tioga HS. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 3

Session 163. Theatrical Design: It’s Here for A+ Middle School. Introducing the Middle School Theatrical Design Pilot Contest Prompt and how to get your students ready to compete. Rachael Gomez, state contest director. Room Guadalupe RH4

ACADEMIC COORDINATORS AND ALL ATTENDEES

Session 200. Making Friends with SpeechWire. SpeechWire is here to stay, so we better make friends with it! Come discuss the SpeechWire platform, ask questions, and learn ways to use the SpeechWire system as a coordinator without losing your sanity. Leslie Graham, Archer City HS. Room 101

Session 201. Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Education. Artificial intelligence has ushered in a new era of science, business, and education. This session will cover what artificial intelligence is and how it works, provide examples of how it could impact speech, debate and other UIL contests. Matthew Murrell, UT School of Law. Room 204

ACADEMICS

Session 202. Accounting: Secrets of the Contest. Come discover the secrets hidden in accounting tests and unlock the answers that await in every section. All levels of accounting tests have clues that need to be unlocked to solve the problems. Kay Whitton, state contest director. Room 104

Session 203. Journalism: Headline Writing Basics. This session dissects the headline writing contest from start to finish, covering the basics, including the types of headlines, count, creativity and how to tell the story. Cindy Berry, Slidell HS. Room 105

Session 204. Spelling: Building Legitimate Logophilic Laureates (Part I). Strategies for upping your spelling and vocabulary game to improve for contest. Linda Berrey, state contest director. Room 108

A+ ACADEMICS

Session 205. Starting From the Bottom. Join as we discuss ways to create a strong foundation in your A+ Program. Whether you’re starting a brand new program or overhauling an existing one, this session will equip you with the tools to teach your students the skills, habits, and mentalities to guide them to success. Michael Donaldson, Connally ISD. Room Pecos RH3

Session 214. Theatrical Design: Vertical Teaming to Build Depth of Success. How to combine efforts in A+ Middle School Theatrical Design alongside the High School program. Work smart (as well as hard) to create exponential success over 7 years instead of 4. Rachael Gomez, state contest director, Jacqueline Zepeda, PSJA North HS. Room Guadalupe RH4

STEM

Session 206. Computer Science Coaching Basics. Tips and strategies for building a successful CS team at your school. Stacey Armstrong, Cypress Woods HS. Room 106

Session 207. Mathematics: High School Overview. Rules, topics on the test, coaching strategies, and more. Cliff McCurdy, state contest director. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 4

Session 216. Robotics – Introduction to RECF-VEX. Learn about VEX Robotics competition – how it works, what you need, how to get started and strategies for success. Andy Schaafs, RECF and James Jobe, Clear Creek ISD. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 6

SPEECH

Session 201. Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Education. For all coaches. Artificial intelligence has ushered in a new era of science, business, and education. This session will cover what artificial intelligence is and how it works, provide examples of how it could impact speech, debate and other UIL contests. Matthew Murrell, UT School of Law. Room 204

Session 209. The High School Prose & Poetry Literary Categories. For novice and veteran coaches. Come learn the details of each category and documentation requirements as well as hear explanations of the true intent behind them from those who authored them. M’Liss Hindman, State Contest Director, and members of the state advisory committee. Room 103

Session 210. Extemporaneous Speaking: Start At the Very Beginning. For novice coaches. What is Informative and Persuasive Speaking and how do you teach your new competitors about them? This session covers the contest rules and procedures, as well as strategies for coaching Extemporaneous Speaking. Ann Shofner, State Contest Director. Room 116

Session 211. Understanding CX Policy Debate (Part I). For novice coaches. A foundation-level explanation of cross-examination team debate UIL rules, policy terminology, basic theory.  Clint Adams, Big Spring HS. Room 201

THEATRE

Session 212. No Budget, No Stage, No Degree, No Problem! An in-depth look at how to build a successful OAP program with little to no resources or support.  This workshop is open to all classifications and highly recommended for smaller schools. Please join the discussion with an open mind and a willingness to change. Gary Brister, Hico HS. Room 107

Session 213. Finding Your Footing When You Can't See the Ground: How to Walk Through OAP While Navigating Imposter Syndrome. An open forum discussion for teachers/directors who may have been "volun-told" to take on OAP, or those struggling with imposter syndrome while leading programs. Talk with two directors leading a program without a Theatre degree between them. Sarah Kouba and Chris Irwin, Barber’s Hill HS. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 3

Session 214. Theatrical Design: Vertical Teaming to Build Depth of Success. How to combine efforts in A+ Middle School Theatrical Design alongside the High School program. Work smart (as well as hard) to create exponential success over 7 years instead of 4. Rachael Gomez, state contest director, Jacqueline Zepeda, PSJA North HS. Room Guadalupe RH4

Session 215. Capitals: Get some tips and tricks to building capitals?  Cardboard? Foam? What is the best glue? How to make them durable for transport? How do I get a specific shape I want? Bring your ideas and we can talk through them. Mel Edwards, state consultant. Room 115

ACADEMIC COORDINATORS AND ALL ATTENDEES

Session 250. Hosting a Tournament and Making your Tournament Website. This session will provide important steps to hosting a great tournament including creating a tournament website that will provide all the information your tournament guests will need in one location. Bring your laptop and get started designing your tournament website the same day. Racy Kane, Proser ISD. Room 101

ACADEMICS

Session 251. Journalism: Coaching Tips. A veteran coach will share what she teaches her students for each contest as well as resources she uses to be successful in UIL Journalism. Carol Cox, Archer City HS. Room 105

Session 252. Spelling: Building Legitimate Logophilic Laureates (Part II). This is a continuation of strategies for upping your spelling and vocabulary game to improve for contest. Linda Berrey, state contest director. Room 108

STEM

Session 253. Computer Science: Algorithms and Data Structures. A 90-minute in-depth session, from basic to advanced. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop with Java 20 and an IDE installed (Intellij preferred). Stacey Armstrong, Cypress Woods HS. Room 106

Session 254. Mathematics – Breaking Down the High School District Test Part 1. Bring your calculator and we will work through problems 1-30. Cliff McCurdy, state contest director. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 4

Session 255. Robotics- Introduction to FIRST.  A guide to FIRST Robotics competition, including FTC and FRC – the basics you need to know, helpful resources, and the benefits for your students and school community. Jason Arms and Jess Jankowitsch, FIRST in Texas. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 6

A+ ACADEMICS

Session 256. Get Into the Groove: Preparing for the Music Memory Contest. Nancy Garza, Pflugerville ISD. Room Pecos RH3

SPEECH

Session 257. Understanding CX Policy Debate (Part II) and Policy Debate Teacher Tools. For novice and veteran coaches. A continuation of policy debate discussion from Part I, including teacher resources. Clint Adams, Big Spring HS. Room 201

Session 258. Documentation Made Simple (and Fun!) For all. Eliminate the confusion as your presenter walks you through how easy prose and poetry documentation can be. Valuable instruction about digital documentation procedures used at region and state will be included. Gary Brister, Hico HS, state documentation reviewer. Room 107

Session 259. Congress 101: Understanding the Contest. For novice coaches. A discussion that focuses on the structure, rules and mechanics of the Congress contest. Jimmy Smith, Collinsville HS. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 5

Session 260. Roundtable: Speech – Oral Interpretation & Extemporaneous Speaking. For veteran coaches. Join casual but meaningful conversation about contemporary issues in these events. Share your thoughts and concerns. Jana Riggins, UIL Speech Director; M’Liss Hindman, Prose & Poetry consultant; Ann Shofner, Extemporaneous Speaking consultant. Room 116

Session 261. Teaching Debaters to Adapt to Their Judge. For novice and veteran coaches. Understanding the formal role of the judge can make you a better coach. Let's discuss paradigms and how to teach your student debaters the significance of how paradigms impact their choices of strategies during the debate. Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University, UIL Debate consultant. Room 103

THEATRE

Session 262. Filling the Empty Canvas. A workshop for the "rookie" director on easily creating stage pictures in the OAP process. This workshop is geared for those "new" directors who are looking for simple "rules" for creating interesting visuals in their OAP production. Travis Poe, retired Barbers Hill HS. Room 104

Session 263. So, You Need Good Acting. Join us for a basic acting workshop for ways to coach your young actors to tell compelling stories.  Annie Dragoo and Billy Dragoo, recently retired, Austin HS. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 3

Session 264. Capitals: Get some tips and tricks to building capitals? Repeat session. Cardboard? Foam? What is the best glue? How to make them durable for transport? How do I get a specific shape I want? Bring your ideas and we can talk through them. Mel Edwards, state consultant. Room 115

Session 265. Theatrical Design: The Contest Prompt Axoloris 2024-25 (Part I). Dig into what this year’s prompt is all about and focus on communicating it through writing and design. We will share strategies for how to explore the prompt with your students and help them to build their design voice. Rachael Gomez, state contest director. (Double Session 1:15 pm-3:00 pm) Room Guadalupe RH4

ACADEMIC COORDINATORS AND ALL ATTENDEES

Session 300. Building a Dedicated Team for Academic UIL Success: Strategies and Best Practices.  We will explore team-building techniques, effective communication, and leadership skills necessary to foster a cohesive and motivated team. Attendees will learn how to identify and recruit talented students, develop a supportive environment, and implement practices that drive team success. Ivan Silva, La Joya Jimmy Carter Early College HS. Room 115

ACADEMICS

Session 301. Literary Criticism: Absolute Beginners. (Repeated). This is the absolute basics of the contest. Mark Bernier, state contest director. Room 116

Session 302. Social Studies: Introduction to Contest. Discuss the basics of how to approach the UIL Social Studies Contest. Andy Bates, state contest director. Room 105

STEM

Session 303. Computer Science: Algorithms and Data Structures, continued. Continuing from 1:15. Stacey Armstrong, Cypress Woods HS. Room 106

Session 304. Mathematics: Breaking Down the High School District Test Part 2. Bring your calculator and we will work through problems 31-60. Cliff McCurdy, state contest director. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 4

A+ ACADEMICS

Session 306. The UIL Test Writer’s Perspective in Writing Junior High/Middle School Calculator Applications Tests. We’ll discuss the various problem types of problems (Number Crunchers, Stated and Geometry). We should also discuss your queries as to perhaps shortcuts for solving various problems from the past year of UIL tests. Don’t forget to bring your calculator! Andy Zapata, state consultant. Room Pecos RH3

Session 307. Learning How to Play and Teach Chess. This fun session has two primary objectives: 1) to provide to you a brief overview of how to play the game and 2) to introduce you to tools that will help you more effectively teach chess to your students.  We will cover the basic rules, commonly misunderstood moves in the game (castling and en passant) and you will learn basic principles to improve more quick and efficient playing. Dr. Jeff Day, Texas Tech Chess. Room 107

SPEECH

Session 308. Coaching in a Small School: Facing the Challenges and Experiencing the Joy! For Conference 1A, 2A, 3A novice and veteran coaches. This discussion examines the special challenges small schools face when fielding competitors for UIL and how to address these issues with positive results. Kimberly Sloane, Chireno HS. Room 201

Session 309. Year One of the Categories: Was it a SLAM! DUNK! or Did We Miss the Boat? For novice and veteran coaches. We’ll review actual performances and if they did or did not meet the true intent of the categories. Bring your questions and we’ll share perspectives on how to not miss the boat. Jana Riggins, UIL Speech Director, M’Liss Hindman, state contest director, and advisory committee members. Room 204

Session 310. Congress: Approaches to Coaching and Activities to Strengthen Competitive Skills. For novice and veteran coaches. A sharing time of ideas on how to engage students in this exciting event, coaching methods and activities that make your congressional representatives stand out in the chamber. Jennifer Adams, Big Spring HS. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 5

Session 311.Informative & Persuasive Speaking: Oh, The Games People Play! For novice and veteran coaches. Make Extemp fun! Learn some games that will help your speakers with current events. Let’s Play!  Ann Shofner, UIL Extemp consultant. Room 101

Session 312. Why Debate? Testimonials. For all coaches and coordinators. Competitive debate is challenging and requires a dedication to research, analysis, persuasive skills and certainly a commitment of time. Listen to testimonials of the impact of participating in debate. Presenters Nicole Cornish, former UIL CX Debate State Champion; Dr. Rich Edwards, former HS Debater and collegiate coach. Room 103

THEATRE

Session 313. Floor/Ground Plans: Using the Stage Effectively. Join us to get ideas of how to tell your story using your space. Annie Dragoo and Billy Dragoo, recently retired, Austin HS. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 3

Session 314. Tricks of the Trade. Preparing for your OAP Site Rehearsal: Come learn some tricks for making your official OAP site rehearsal easy and smooth for you and your students. Amy Jordan and BK Goodman, Texas Thespians. Room 108

Session 315. Surviving and Thriving in a Small School. These presenters have spent most of their careers in 1 and 2A theatre programs, and are familiar with problems small school directors face: lack of space, funding, kids, time. This workshop is all about how to combat those problems and embrace what is great about small schools. Haley Hertel and Craig Hertel, Tioga HS. Room 104

Session 316. Theatrical Design: The Contest Prompt Axoloris 2024-25 (Part II). Dig into what this year’s prompt is all about and focus on communicating it through writing and design. We will share strategies for how to explore the prompt with your students and help them to build their design voice. Rachael Gomez, state contest director. (Double Session 1:15 pm-3:00 pm) Room Guadalupe RH4

ACADEMIC COORDINATORS AND ALL ATTENDEES

Session 350. Running a Tight Ship: Tips and Tricks for Running an Efficient UIL Meet. Learn organizational tips and tricks about how to organize, plan, pay for and run a great Invitational or District Meet from a veteran District and Region Director. This session is perfect for anyone that wants to tighten their procedures or is new to hosting. Kendra Willeby, Foster HS. Room 115

ACADEMICS

Session 351. Literary Criticism: Using the Handbook to Literature. Tips of how to prepare for the contest using the Handbook to Literature. Mark Bernier, state contest director. Room 116

Session 352. Current Issues & Events and Social Studies: Preparing to Write the Essay. Learn how to have your students study for, practice, and write quality essays. Andy Bates and Dr. Bradley Wilson, state contest directors. Room 105

STEM

Session 353. Number Sense: NO TRICKS. (Part I) 90-minute in-depth session demonstrating and discussing problem types and shortcuts from the HS sequence chart #1-40. Participants encouraged to bring problems from each section they would like to discuss. Larry White, state contest director. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 4

Session 354. Robotics- Introduction to BEST. 90 minutes. Learn the basics and benefits of BEST robotics competition, including the fall season structure, available resources and opportunities to engage your school community. Johannes Starks, BEST of Texas.  Room Zlotnik Ballroom 6

A+ ACADEMICS

Session 355. Chess Drop-In Session: Come and Go. This informal session will provide an opportunity to talk about how you can more effectively start, run, and grow a chess club/program in your school.  We can talk about the various chess resources available to you to help your kids learn more about the game and become stronger players. Dr. Jeff Day, Texas Tech Chess. Room 107

Session 356. The UIL Test Writer’s Perspective in Writing Elementary/Junior High/Middle School Number Sense Tests. We’ll look at the A+ Elementary/Junior High Number Sense Problem Sequencing and discuss the various problem types with matching sequencing arrangement. We should also discuss your queries as to perhaps shortcuts for solving various problems from the past year of UIL tests. Andy Zapata, state consultant. Room Pecos RH3

SPEECH

Session 357. Judge Awareness Training. For all coaches and those who judge speaking events. It is critical for speech and debate judges to be aware of their implicit biases within the context of expectations of student competition so tournaments can guarantee a safe, inclusive space. In addition, the ballots judges write need to provide strong educational learning experiences. This workshop will explore those concepts and actions judges can take to ensure these benefits occur. Jana Riggins, UIL Speech Director. Room 104

Session 358. Effective Coaching Techniques for Oral Interpretation (Part I). For novice and veteran coaches. Through a variety of brief performance demonstrations, watch an outstanding interp coach explain techniques to draw the best out of your students’ abilities to perform. M’Liss Hindman, Tyler Junior College; Kailee Huston, TJC. Room 204

Session 359. Congress: Teaching Parliamentary Procedure. For novice and veteran coaches. The workshop will discuss strategies and fun activities to engage students in the art of proper parliamentary procedure. Jennifer Adams, Big Spring HS. Room 106

Session 360. Extemporaneous Speaking: Do You Want to Know a Secret? For novice and veteran coaches. Participate in an open discussion of what judges look for in Informative and Persuasive Speaking rounds. Ann Shofner, UIL speech consultant. Room 101

Session 361. CX and LD Debate: The Importance of Flowing in the Current Technological World. For novice and veteran coaches. Join our discussion of how flowing remains essential to good debate. As debate shifts to include more technology, students are increasingly sending documents back and forth electronically during the round. Because they have those documents at their fingertips, debaters have stopped flowing. The result has been reduced clash because, without flows, debaters aren’t envisioning how the arguments interact with each other. Nicole Cornish, Athens ISD. Room 201

THEATRE

Session 362. Please Don’t Call it a Festival. Directing the UIL A+ One Act Contest Play. This is an A-Z, Nuts and Bolts session for directors of the junior high/middle school contests. Paula Rodriguez, UIL Theatre Director. Room 108

Session 363. Finding Your Footing When You Can't See the Ground: How to Walk Through OAP While Navigating Imposter Syndrome. An open forum discussion geared towards teachers/directors who may have been "volun-told" to take on OAP, or those struggling with imposter syndrome while leading their programs. Talk with two directors leading a program without a Theatre degree between them. Let us help you determine what "success" can mean for your program and how it can be achieved. Sarah Kouba and Chris Irwin, Barber’s Hill HS. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 3

Session 364. Theatrical Design: Tools of the Trade. Supplies and resources for success and program building. Learn from experienced Theatrical Design coaches; what has worked for them and where they turn for ideas and inspiration. Rachael Gomez, state contest director, Jacqueline Zepeda, PSJA North HS. Room Guadalupe RH4

ACADEMIC COORDINATORS AND ALL ATTENDEES

Session 400. Don't Just Hope to Retire; Plan for It! Teachers are very rarely taught about TRS, its benefits and limitations, how TRS and Social Security work together (or don't) and how to plan for retirement. This session covers the basics of TRS, different rules for retirement eligibility, how to plan for retirement using supplemental savings such as a 403b, different options for saving for retirement and the best strategies to build your retirement funds. Jonathan Price, ValuTeachers. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 5

Session 412. Little Fish in Big Ponds. You may feel that UIL Academics is a minnow in the sea of extracurricular activities. Come review some tips and tricks to creating a successful program from a coordinator on a large campus. What bait is needed to bring in the right coaches, competitors and land those elusive administrative atta-boys? Let's discuss! Teresa Haby, Northside Brennan HS. Room 108.

Session 401. Where to Start: Pocket Coach Academy. A simple introduction to the world of Academic Coaching. In this session we help outline expectations and map out what you can expect in your first-year teaching by providing resources and systems to ease the stress of your first year. Cody Morris, Pocket Coach Academy. Room 115

ACADEMICS

Session 402. Accounting: Coaches Roundtable. Sharing ideas, suggestions, and coaching secrets benefits us all. Come share your successes and offer thoughts as to what resources you'd like to have available to become a better facilitator and coach. Kay Whitton, state contest director. Room 103

Session 403. Journalism: Leaguetown High School Population You. Welcome to Leaguetown — where the people are strange, and the school board is active. In this session, we’ll introduce the News, Feature and Editorial journalism contests and give you the tools you need to coach a successful journalism team. Bring lots of questions and maybe one day you’ll earn your very own Hometown Hero Award from the mayor herself. Alyssa Boehringer, UIL Journalism Director. Room 105

Session 404. Literary Criticism: Explicating Poetry-The Sonnet. (Repeated). We will focus on the sonnet. Mark Bernier, state contest director. Room 116

STEM

Session 405. Number Sense: NO TRICKS. (Part II) Larry White, state contest director. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 4

Session 406. Robotics- Introduction to BEST (continued). Learn the basics and benefits of BEST robotics competition, including the fall season structure, available resources and opportunities to engage your school community. Johannes Starks, BEST of Texas.  Room Zlotnik Ballroom 6

SPEECH

Session 407. Positive Ways to Prevent Problems at Your District Meet. For all coaches and district meet officials. Many times, issues would not arise during a meet if proactive steps had been taken prior to the district meet. This discussion encourages specific steps that can make your district meet a positive experience for all. Jana Riggins, UIL Speech Director. Room 104

Session 408. Meeting in the Middle: Navigating Community Standards. For all oral interpretation coaches. While respecting the voices of your students and their desire for their views to be heard, coaches must work with administration and within a volatile political climate in the guidance of selecting performance material to use for competition. Shawn Duthie, Holliday HS. Room 106

Session 409. Middle School Participation in Debate. For all. Discussion of a modified version of Debate designed for middle school students. Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University, UIL Debate consultant. Room 201

THEATRE

Session 410. OAP/TTAO Roundtable: Adjudication Organization and Best Practices. Meet and ask questions of three highly successful adjudicators/directors. A UIL and TTAO collaboration. Rebecca Walters, TTAO Adjudicator. Room Zlotnik Ballroom 3

Session 411. Theatrical Design: How to Evaluate Your Students’ Work Like a Judge. Learn what the judges are looking for to better assist your students. What makes a truly successful design presentation of the highest level. Knowing the goal makes it easier to obtain! Rachael Gomez, state contest director, Jacqueline Zepeda, PSJA North HS. Room Guadalupe RH4