Cultivate the mindsets, skill sets, and tools essential for grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful — GLEAM™ — instruction.
Today’s educators face a historic challenge. With engagement sliding, outcomes at risk, and students yearning for teaching that is affirming and meaningful, we need a fresh approach—one that feeds educators’ passion and fortifies instruction.
GLEAM instruction is the most impactful strategy for eliminating the predictability of student outcomes by race, language, and socioeconomic status to ensure all students thrive. At Standards Institute, courageous educators come together from across the country to forge a bold path toward truly transformative teaching and learning.
Our engaging, immersive pathways invite educators to experience, understand, and practice transformative instruction and leadership. Participants will reflect on current practice, commit to an action plan, and leave equipped and inspired to make every classroom GLEAM.
What to Expect
At Standards Institute, educators will learn:
- Content-specific, grade-level standards deeply
- To maintain academic rigor by fostering productive struggle and scaffolding
- Strategies for ensuring culturally, historically, and linguistically affirming and meaningful teaching and learning
- How to plan, design, and deliver GLEAM instruction
Educators will leave Standards Institute with:
- A shared understanding and language for fostering GLEAM instruction
- The mindsets, planning, skills, tools, and actions to deliver GLEAM instruction
- A personalized action plan with context-specific opportunities to ensure GLEAM instruction
- A national community of equity champions committed to growth and change
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We had wonderful learning opportunities at Standards Institute 2024. Check out the highlights.
ExploreWhy Standards Institute is Different
Standards Institute is not a traditional conference or workshop but an immersive 30-hour in-person course-like experience, where educators from around the nation actively come together in content- and grade-specific cohorts to hone their craft and make their instructional practices grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful — GLEAM.
Over four days, educators learn to unpack and understand standards, scaffold instruction, and foster productive struggle. Educators leave equipped to uphold academic rigor, make teaching and learning engaging and affirming, and improve outcomes for all students.
For Teachers, Coaches, and Leaders
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English Language Arts (ELA) Pathway
Standards Institute™ ELA sessions focus on the supports and scaffolds that work to address students’ unfinished ELA instruction while maintaining the rigor of grade-level standards and curriculum. Educators will:
- Explore the commitment, knowledge, and skills necessary to use ELA standards, texts, and tasks to provide all students access to grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful –GLEAM– instruction
- Leave with a personal action plan for bringing GLEAM instruction to life in their ELA classrooms
ELA Grade-Bands: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
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Math Pathway
Standards Institute™ Math sessions offer participants interactive, hands-on experience planning and implementing grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful –GLEAM– mathematics instruction. Educators will:
- Reflect on math identities and their impact on GLEAM math instruction
- Deepen their understanding of math instructional shifts (focus, coherence, rigor) to support GLEAM math instruction
- Learn a new approach to address students’ unfinished instruction that supports GLEAM math instruction within their school contexts
- Leave with a personal action plan for bringing GLEAM instruction to life in their math classrooms
Math Grade-Bands: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
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Science Pathway
Standards Institute™ Science sessions offer participants a foundation in the principles and best practices in science instruction. The Science Pathway explores the Next Generation Science Standards and a vision for grade-level, engaging, affirming, meaningful –GLEAM– instruction for all students. Participants will:
- Explore new ideas through hands-on lessons and investigations in different scientific domains
- Develop a repertoire of practical strategies to ensure that instruction exemplifies GLEAM
- Leave with a personal action plan for bringing GLEAM instruction to life in their science classrooms
Science Grade-Bands: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
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UnboundEd Planning Process (UPP) Pathway
UnboundEd Planning Process™ (UPP) sessions introduce participants to a set of powerful practices for bringing grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful –GLEAM– instruction to life in ELA and math classrooms. Educators will:
- Explore the meaning and value of GLEAM instruction for all learners
- Learn a step-by-step strategy for applying GLEAM principles to any lesson and gain hands-on practice
- Leave with a personal action plan for bringing GLEAM instruction to life in their classrooms
UnboundEd Planning Process (UPP) Grade-Bands: K–5, 6–12
Note: K–5 participants will use both ELA and math lessons during the week; participants in grades 6-12 will use lessons in their preferred subject area — either ELA or math.
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Multilingual Learners (MLLs) Pathway
During Standards Institute Accelerating English Language for Multilingual Students sessions, teachers and coaches receive research-based, high-leverage, immediately applicable resources, processes, and strategies to accelerate academic English development and build knowledge across content areas in the primary classroom. Participants adapt standards-aligned lessons to support multilingual students in instruction for reading foundational skills, ELA, and math to ensure all students have access to grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful (GLEAM) instruction. Participants leave Standards Institute with a repertoire of practical strategies and a personal action plan for bringing GLEAM instruction to life for multilingual students.
MLLs Grade-Bands: K–5
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CORE Learning: Elementary Reading Academy
This pathway offers educators a strong foundation in standards-aligned and evidence-informed reading practices rooted in the science of reading. Educators will:
- Dive into the research on reading instruction and connect research to practice
- Develop high-leverage instructional practices (educational practices that can improve outcomes for every learner, like designing lessons in service of a goal, promoting active student engagement, collecting and assessing data, and more)
- Deliver standards-aligned and evidence-informed reading instruction
Elementary Reading Academy Grade-Bands: K–6
For Leaders
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Leadership Pathway
The Leadership Pathway gives school and district leaders a foundation in the key concepts of ELA and math instruction in order to develop a deeper understanding of both subject areas. Participants will:
- Consider key components of planning, instructional delivery, and coaching that lead to grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful — GLEAM — instruction.
- Assess their roles as leaders in advancing educational equity and operationalizing GLEAM within a school system
- Leave with a personal action plan to lead GLEAM instruction in their schools
Leadership Grade-Bands: K–5, 6–8, 9–1
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CORE Learning: Leadership for Literacy
Participants in the Leadership for Literacy pathway will develop a foundational understanding of the science of reading and learn how to transform their instructional practices to accelerate student literacy. Leaders will:
- Learn practical knowledge about the science of reading and how to implement it across systems
- Develop tools, skills and processes for assessing school-wide literacy programs
- Identify leadership actions that help build professional capacity and introduce new opportunities for students to become successful readers and communicators
Leadership for Literacy Grade-Bands: K–5
Overview of Pathway Grade-Bands
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Grade-Bands
- English Language Arts (ELA): K–5, 6–8, 9–12
- Leadership: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
- Math: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
- Science: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
- UnboundEd Planning Process (UPP): K–5, 6–12
- Multilingual Learners (MLLs): K–5
- CORE Learning: Elementary Reading Academy: K–6
- CORE Learning: Leadership for Literacy: K–5
Daily Schedule at a Glance
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Sunday, June 22
Registration Open
Stop by our Registration Check-in kiosk and tables to let us know you’ve arrived and pick up your UnboundEd Swag!
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Monday, June 23
Registration Open
Stop by our Registration Check-in kiosk and tables to let us know you’ve arrived and pick up your UnboundEd Swag!
Keynote Address
Day 1 Keynote
Morning Break
15-minute break
Pathway Learning
First pathway learning session
Lunch
Lunch break on site
Pathway Learning
Pathway learning session
Afternoon Break
15-minute break
Team Planning Time
Team planning time
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Tuesday, June 24
Registration Open
Stop by our Registration Check-in kiosk and tables to let us know you’ve arrived and pick up your UnboundEd Swag!
Keynote Address
Day 2 Keynote
Morning Break
15-minute break
Pathway Learning
Pathway learning session
Lunch
Lunch break on site
Pathway Learning
Pathway learning session
Afternoon Break
15-minute break
Team Planning Time
Team planning time
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Wednesday, June 25
Support Desk Open
Stop by our Support Desk if you need help or have questions.
Morning Session (No Keynote)
No Keynote on Day 3
Morning Break
15-minute break
Pathway Learning
Pathway learning session
Lunch
Lunch break on site
Pathway Learning
Pathway learning session
Afternoon Break
15-minute break
Team Planning Time
Team planning time
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Thursday, June 26
Keynote Address
Day 4 Keynote
Morning Break
15-minute break
Pathway Learning
Pathway learning session
Lunch
Lunch break on site
Pathway Learning
Pathway learning session
Afternoon Break
15-minute break
Team Planning Time
Team planning time
About the Event
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Where will the Denver Standards Institute be held?
The Standards Institute will be held at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, located at 6700 N Gaylord Rockies Blvd, Aurora, CO 80019.
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How long is the Denver Standards Institute?
The Denver Standards Institute will last four full days, starting Monday, June 23, and ending Thursday, June 26. Participants are expected to arrive on Sunday, June 22.
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Who can I reach out to if I have any questions prior to the start of the event?
Please contact us at the following email: SupportDesk@UnboundEd.org.
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What is the schedule for the event?
Please see the agenda tab for the Standards Institute™ Denver – 2025 schedule.
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Do you provide Participation Certificates after Standards Institute?
Yes. Participation Certificates are sent to the email address provided during registration within four weeks after attending the Standards Institute. It will include the pathway and session attended as well as the total hours completed. Please note that Participation Certificates are only provided to those participants who attend all three days of the event. We do not provide CEUs or other credits.
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Who will speak at the event?
We will have several keynote speakers.
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Do I have to check in when I am there?
Yes. Please stop by our Registration Check-in at the Gaylord Rockies Convention Center – Registration area to get your badge and pick up your UnboundEd Swag.
Sunday, June 22 – 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Monday, June 23 – 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 24 – 7:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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What special events are taking place?
We will have several special events throughout the duration of the event. Please refer to the Special Events tab for more details.
Attending the Event
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Can I attend some of the days/partially? Do I have to attend all days to receive a participation certificate?
Participants are required to attend all four days of the event in the same Pathway and grade band they registered for. Those attending all four days will receive a participation certificate.
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What pathways/grade bands are offered at the event?
- ELA: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
- Leadership: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
- Math: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
- Science: K–5, 6–8, 9–12
- UnboundEd Planning Process (UPP): K–5, 6–12
- Multilingual Learners (MLLs): K–5
- CORE Learning: Elementary Reading Academy: K–6
- CORE Learning: Leadership for Literacy: K–5
For more information about the pathways, see the Pathways tab.
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Can my group meet together as a team at any point during the event?
Yes, school districts/organizations attending Standards Institute will have ample opportunities to meet daily for Team Time (at the end of each day). Your team will be able to reflect on the overall learning from the event, discuss implications, and determine the priority actions to take when you return to your school district or network. You will find the assigned location where your team can meet in the UnboundEd app.
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Yes, school districts/organizations attending Standards Institute will have ample opportunities to meet daily for Team Time (at the end of each day). Your team will be able to reflect on the overall learning from the event, discuss implications, and determine the priority actions to take when you return to your school district or network. You will find the assigned location where your team can meet in the UnboundEd app.
Our pathways content has been updated to focus on equitable instructional practices and examining bias focused on planning toward grade-level engaging, affirming, and meaningful (GLEAM™) instruction. If you are attending again, our recommendation is to take the UnboundEd Planning Process™ pathway or the new Science Pathway. Please note: these pathways are geared toward teachers, so if you are a coach or leader, please come with your “teacher lens” during the learning.
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I attended one of your virtual events; will the content be different at Standards Institute?
Yes. Standards Institute will go deep into the learning of equitable instructional practices and examine bias focused on planning for grade-level engaging, affirming, and meaningful (GLEAM™) instruction. It will also provide more opportunities to collaborate with other educators. There are live keynotes and special events throughout the duration of the event as well. This is an experience unlike any other.
Hotel & Travel
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What ADA and other accommodations do you have available?
Yes, we will have ADA accommodations available at the event. We will also have a Mother’s room, a prayer room, and wheelchair access. Please make sure to include specific needs when you complete your registration.
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Do you have gender-neutral bathrooms at the venue?
Yes, gender-neutral bathrooms are available at the venue, which will be clearly labeled. If you have any questions regarding the location of the gender-neutral bathrooms, please stop by the Help desk upon arrival at the event.
Standards Institute App
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How do I download the app?
You will receive an email to download the app.
- Open the invitation in your inbox. Tap Download the App.
- Once the app is downloaded, return to the invitation email and tap Verify Account.
- Tap Open App to complete the verification via your brand-new mobile app.
OR
- Go to your App Store and search for “Standards Institute Event Hub”
- Open and see the “Current and Upcoming Events” tab and select UnboundEd Standards Institute – Denver.
- Follow the instructions to log in and complete your profile.
- You will find your schedule, special events, hotel information, and much more.
UnboundEd's Digital Ecosystem
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What is the Digital Ecosystem?
At the DC Standards Institute, you will experience our new, unique virtual professional learning community, the Digital Ecosystem. In the Ecosystem, you will find the daily agenda & session materials, join your learning group, and interact with all participants at the Standards Institute.
In addition, you will be able to:
- Connect with educators from across the country
- Extend interactions and learning during and after the Event
- Find curated, high-quality professional learning resources
- Engage with professional learning experiences from UnboundEd and select partners after Institute
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When do I sign up on the Digital Ecosystem?
Be on the lookout for an invitation to join the Digital Ecosystem in the coming months.
Social Media
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How can I use social media at the event?
Post, share, connect, and engage!
The fun part about social media is that it allows you to share all the great things you’re doing and learning at the UnboundEd Standards Institute, and more importantly, connect with fellow educators.
Event Hashtag: #StandardsInstitute