Conferences

Wyoming Department of Education > For Teachers > Conferences

Professional Development Opportunities

The WDE offers conferences on a variety of topics throughout the year. Check this list frequently for updates.

The 2023 Summer Technical Assistance Retreat (STAR) is an information-packed professional development opportunity for Wyoming School Districts. The Retreat will be in-person only this year, but pre-recorded training around the basics of grants will get shared out statewide in July. Topics covered at STAR go beyond what those recordings will offer, and will include the following tracks (you are not held to tracks): Emergency Grants, ESSA Grants, Special Grant Topics, and now a new LEA Presentations/Panels track. The 2023 STAR will be held in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the Capitol Complex, 200 W. 24th Street Cheyenne, WY 82002. The Retreat begins at 1:00pm on Monday June 12th, and concludes at Noon on Wednesday June 14th. There are no pre or post sessions, but there are some specific workshops being offered that require registration. We hope to see you there!

To see the draft schedule: Registration DRAFT STAR Schedule

For other information and resources: STAR 2023 Information and Logistics

2023 STAR (6/12-6/14) has requested approval for 1 PTSB credit. We will update this once approved and provide direction at that time. 

Register for the 2023 STAR Conference is open now; register here.

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The Wyoming Department of Education will host the 2023 Embracing Literacy Conference in-person in Laramie at the Laramie High School on June 21-22, 2023, and virtually on June 27-28, 2023.

The WDE strongly encourages participants to attend both the in-person and the virtual dates of the conference, as there will be great speakers during both portions that you won’t want to miss.

An agenda and list of speakers will be forthcoming, but save the dates to your calendars.  The WDE Literacy Team looks forward to growing, learning and being challenged together in our roles to promote literacy in Wyoming. 

Register for the 2023 Embracing Literacy Conference is open now; register here.

Please contact Denise Fertig at 307-777-5761, denise.fertig@wyo.gov with any questions.

Embracing Literacy Conference Flier
Schedule of Presentations
Detailed Itinerary
Session Descriptions
Roster of Presenters

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Please join the Wyoming Department of Education Career and Technical Education (CTE) and our colleagues on July 10-13 at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne for Inspire Ingenuity…”CTE Pay$” focusing on the entrepreneurial mindset and school-based enterprises. Participants should be CTE teachers, work-based learning coordinators, and administrators.  This will be a deep dive into entrepreneurship in the CTE class room and work-based learning.

The registration fee includes keynote speakers and lunch:
July 11th- Minden Fox, M.S.LCCC Marketing and Entrepreneurship Faculty
July 12th- Clifton Taulbert, Pulitzer Nominee and Time Magazine recognized emerging entrepreneur

July 13th- Lunch only

The registration fees:
Preconference $50
One-Day attendance $50
Three-Day attendance  $100
Register on or before June 15, 2023. PLEASE ONLY ONE PARTICIPANT PER REGISTRATION.

Register here.

For more information, contact Ilaine Brown, Program System Manager, at 307-777-3549 or ilaine.brown1@wyo.gov.

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The Wyoming Department of Education, Special Education Programs Division, is hosting an in-person Week of Academic Vision for Excellence (WAVE) Conference to be held at the University of Wyoming Gateway Center in Laramie from August 1-3. This conference is relevant for educators, parents, and other Wyoming stakeholders. State and national presenters will cover topics such as literacy, specially designed instruction, behavior/discipline, social/emotional, trauma informed care, IEP process, and Special Education law.

  • WAVE Conference cost: $350  (registration ends July 3, 2023). 
  • Early Bird registration: $275 (Must register by: June 5, 2023).
  • Register for the conference here.

For more information, contact Deana Smith at 307-777-5326 or deana.smith@wyo.gov, or Jennifer Duncan at 307-777-3530 or jennifer.duncan@wyo.gov.

The WDE Special Education Programs Division is pleased to announce a post WAVE conference bootcamp for new special education teachers who have three years or less experience. This bootcamp will allow a deeper dive into topics such as providing FAPE, IEP development, classroom strategies, specially designed instruction, high leverage practices, and behavior strategies. 

If you are attending the 2023 WAVE conference and would also like to attend the Bootcamp for new special education teachers, select the ticket for the WAVE conference and the New SPED Teacher Bootcamp.

 For more information, contact Thom Jones at 307-777-6376 or thom.jones@wyo.gov,  or Jennifer Duncan at 307-777-3530 or jennifer.duncan@wyo.gov.

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Dates: September 25-26
Location: University of Wyoming Conference Center, Laramie, Wyoming

Save the Date! The Wyoming Department of Education, Accountability Division, is hosting the 2023 Safe Student Alliance Conference for law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals and school or community mental health providers. The event will feature presentations on the topic of school safety, student safety and mental health.

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Due June 2, 2023
The 2023 WY Innovations in Learning Conference call for proposals have been extended to June 2. Full sessions are scheduled for 50 minutes or half-sessions are scheduled for 25 minutes including questions and answers.

This year’s conference’s theme is Innovations through STEAM and is an exciting opportunity to explore innovative teaching and learning strategies for all modes of delivery. You will have the chance to collaborate with educators of all backgrounds, from kindergarten through college, and witness the latest trends in education. 

Proposal will now be accepted until June 2, 2023. Selected presenters will be notified of their inclusion in the conference by June 16, 2023. Presenters will receive discounted admission to the conference. A registration code will be emailed to the presenters selected.

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About the Conference
The 2023 Wyoming Innovations in Learning Conference will be held in Casper, Wyoming on November 2-3, 2023. This conference is hosted by the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE), the Wyoming Distance Education Consortium (WyDEC), the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming community colleges, the Wyoming State Library, and the Wyoming Arts Council.

For more information, contact Steven Priest. Education Program Consultant, at 307-777-3679 or steven.priest@wyo.gov.