The One Thing Conference
Professional Learning to Transform Education for Good
The One Thing Conference: Workshop Series
The One Thing Conference provides high-quality, practice-based, MSDE PDP-aligned professional learning experiences for ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ PK-12 educators, school leaders, and education professionals facilitated by the world-class faculty, researchers, and staff at the ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ College of Education.
In Spring 2026, we're introducing a new format: The One Thing Conference Workshop Series! Join us for four intimate, deep-dive Saturday workshops. Each 4-hour session (9am-1pm) will focus on just one topic²ÝÝ®´«Ã½”a single strategy, practice, or concept with the power to make real change in classrooms and schools.
New Spring 2026 Workshop Format
The One Thing Conference workshops are:
Small and Personal: Each workshop will be limited to a maximum of 35 learners.
Expert Facilitation: Workshops will be led by teams of 2-3 College of Education faculty and staff.
Deep, Practice-Based Learning: Four full hours on a single topic during which learners will experience, explore, engage with, and plan to implement new practices.
Stand-Alone Workshops: Learners can register for one, two, three, or all four workshops²ÝÝ®´«Ã½”each workshop is designed to be complete on its own.
The Learning Cycle
Each workshop will be designed to engage learners through a, practice-based learning cycle:
- Experience ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½“ Engage directly with the strategy or practice
- Explore ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½“ Learn about and reflect on challenges and solutions relevant to your context
- Engage ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½“ Practice and rehearse new approaches
- Plan for Enactment ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½“ Create concrete plans to implement in your classroom
Example: A four-hour workshop on increasing student talk might have learners participate in a lively discussion (experience), brainstorm solutions to common challenges (explore), rehearse facilitation strategies (engage), and develop a plan for their own classroom (plan for enactment).
MSDE Professional Development Areas
Each workshop topic will align with one or more of these MSDE professional development areas:
- Content or pedagogy related to an area on your educator's license
- English as a Second Language, Sheltered English, or Bilingual Education
- Strategies for teaching students with disabilities or differentiated instruction for diverse learning needs
- Culturally Responsive Teaching or diverse student identities in education
Workshop Schedule
Workshop 1: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 9am-1pm
PDP Focus: Strategies for teaching students with disabilities or differentiated instruction for diverse learning needs
Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Educators
Workshop 2: Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 9am-1pm
PDP Focus: Content or Pedagogy Related to an Area of Licensure
Audience: This workshop will have two tracks:
Track 1 will focus on Mathematics instruction for Elementary and Middle Grades educators.
Track 2 will focus on writing instruction across all grade levels and content areas, including Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Educators
Workshop 3: Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 9am-1pm
PDP Focus: English as a Second Language, Sheltered English, or Bilingual Education
Audience: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Educators
Workshop 4: Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 9am-1pm
PDP Focus: Culturally Responsive Teaching or diverse student identities in education
Audience: This workshop will have two tracks, one for Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Grade Educators, and one for Middle and Secondary Educators
