“Tier One Instruction: Establishing Look-Fors in Teaching and Evaluating Whole Group Learning”

No matter what takes place around educational funding, staffing, or other issues, it will be the regular classroom teacher that will need the skills and support necessary to keep student achievement moving forward. This can be accomplished through strong Tier One instructional skills and techniques that will keep grade level expectations at the forefront.

Our Keynote Speaker, Karyn Tomkinson, will bring new ideas about Tier One instruction and how to meet the challenges of early reading needs.  Karyn is a national speaker from Hand to Mind, holds several certifications in reading for all grades, and she brings both practical experience and deep content knowledge to her work. You can read her full biography by clicking here.

We also welcome Dr. Susan German, the Coordinator of Curriculum at DESE. Susan will expound on DESE instructional updates and ideas about Tier One Instruction. We will also receive some specific information about Grade Level Equivalence from Shaun Bates, DESE Office of Quality Education.

At the symposium we will provide examples of effective whole group strategies and techniques used by teachers across the state.  We will also provide opportunities for you to learn about strong Tier One evaluation, observation and feedback by building administrators and teacher leaders that have experienced great success with teacher learning.

This is your chance to visit, learn and share with your colleagues regarding teaching and evaluating effective Tier One/Whole Group Instruction.  See you there!

Schedule of Events – Revised January 29, 2026

Symposium Breakout Session Descriptors

Special Meetings After the Symposium on February 17th @ 12:00 p.m.

Continuing the Conversation About… Computer Science Education K-12! 

In January, several SMCAA member districts met in Jefferson City to collaborate about best practice when applying the newest levels of DESE Guidance in Computer Science Education in Missouri. We reviewed a variety of guidance documents and shared resources. Now, it’s time to continue the sense-making and shared problem-solving by meeting for lunch to discuss progress as we thoughtfully implement computer science learning experiences for all students. 

Comprehensive Literacy Plan Step 2

Several weeks ago over 15 districts meet in Jefferson City to start their literacy planning process. Although many of you are at the beginning of the journey, we have next steps to move forward with the development of the comprehensive literacy plan for Step 2.  Our next workgroup meeting will be held after the SMCAA Winter Symposium on February 17^th at Old Kinderhook Lodge, Camdenton, Missouri .

The symposium ends at 11:40 so we can go to the restaurant and grab a lunch and come back and meet at 12:00 for an hour to hour and a half.  The focus will be on moving from the needs assessment to really do some small group work in the domains that you will be focusing on to share ideas around goals and action plans.  Hope you can make it!

Location: Old Kinderhook Lodge, 678 Old Kinderhook Drive, Camdenton Missouri 65020 – Grand Ballroom

 SMCAA Member Early Bird Special Until January 15, 2026: $225.00 pp

SMCAA Member District: $250.00 pp

SMCAA Member District Team of 3 or more: $225.00 pp; each person must complete a registration form.

Non-Member District: $350.00 pp

Reservation Cut-Off Date: To Secure reservations, call Old Kinderhook at 573- 317- 3500. Ask for the SMCAA Rate of $129.00 per night. Room rate cutoff deadline is January 20, 2026. After this date the rate will only be honored based upon availability.