Here's what former participants had to say about RESET Student Engagement !
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Do not change anything. Great job!
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Every little piece of information was important. I will use everything that was offered.
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I want to invite SunClan to my school to share their ideas and concepts for student engagement!
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Jon, Beth, Jessie, Tim and Nadine were wonderful and upbeat. Kept me engaged and hungry to learn more.
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I'll use the Teacher Clarity skills that I learned.
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The conference was very engaging and inspiring.
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I'll use the college readiness information to help the high school start thinking about their futures early on.
Join us this year at We-ko-pa!
RESET Student Engagement
Teaching in the AI Era: Building Thriving Educational Communities
July 23-24, 2026
We-ko-pa Resort and Casino
10438 N. Fort McDowell Road
Fort McDowell, Arizona
About
Rigor, Engagement, Student-Driven, Environment, Teaching
RESET Student Engagement is about creating rigorous content that promotes student engagement driven by students, within a collaborative and fun environment that results in effective instruction.
This year's RESET will combine the power of Artificial Intelligence with positive networking to elevate student engagement and foster a healthy educator-student community.
Bring a sweater (conference centers can be cold) and wear your comfortable shoes!
Conference Hotel Rate: $139/night + $10 resort fee.
To reserve your room, call (480) 789-5300 and identify yourself as a member of RESET Student Engagement 2026.
General Registration (due 7/10/26): $475
Late Registration (due 7/17/26): $500
(Includes breakfast and lunch each day.)
Native American Vendors: $150
501(c)(3) Non-profit Organizations: $150
For-profit Organizations: $300
(Due 7/20/26)
(Includes breakfast and lunch each day.)
Tawnee Arrieta
Tucson Unified School District
With over a decade in K-12 education, Tawnee has dedicated her career to supporting teachers and principals through professional development, instructional innovation, and the effective use of educational technology. Passionate about world literature, digital literacy, and the celebration of diverse cultures and languages, she has extensive experience working with Title I schools, advocating for equity, and promoting inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments. Fluent in English, with proficiency in Russian and Spanish, Tawnee is committed to creating dynamic educational experiences that support student growth and empower educators.
Tim McGowan
Networks of Support
An educator for thirty-two years, Tim McGowan was a science teacher, school counselor, and program advisor in Rapid City, SD. For the past decade, Tim has worked with schools around the U.S. to develop prevention strategies that proactively strengthen healthy social bonds and reduce suicide. For the past four years, he has been a trainer for the University of Rochester, NY on a research project addressing military suicides. The result: Zero suicides since the project began!
Nadine Groenig
Laguna Pueblo, Owner/CEO
After more than 18 years in K-12 education and 11 years in the non-profit business sector, Nadine started SunClan Consulting in 2020. An expert in federal funding benefitting Indigenous students, their parents, and their educators, she has developed an outstanding team of professionals to lead new concepts and develop programs in Indigenous Education.
Meet Our Presenters
Jon Lansa
Hopi, School District Administrator
Jon Lansa has worked as a teacher, coach, and principal in public schools for over 20 years at both the elementary and high school levels. He currently oversees the federal funding and school improvement processes for over 80 schools in Tucson. Jon is Hopi, from the Sun Forehead Clan on Shungopavi. He is dedicated to using his experience to open up educational opportunities and understanding for Native students, families, and educators.
Sessions
(Subject to change.)
Engagement of Learning in the World of AI - Our Native Children deserve the best, so we must avoid wasting time on ineffective or low-level instructional strategies. In this session, participants will explore how AI can serve as a tool to elevate—not replace—strong instructional practice. Through guided examples, we will examine how AI can increase student engagement, differentiate learning experiences, and generate culturally responsive prompts. Through active participation, you will engage in these strategies firsthand, including structured opportunities to leverage AI tools to create your own material. This intentional approach supports true student engagement and fosters educational sovereignty, empowering our students to grow into self-directed, capable adults in both traditional and technology-rich learning environments.
RESET with AI Tutoring Models - This session is designed for educators ready to harness AI-assisted tutoring to better support their students. Participants will learn how to use AI tools to provide personalized, responsive academic support that adapts to each learner’s pace, strengths, and needs. Educators will explore how to design tutoring experiences that maintain cultural relevance, protect student voice, and reinforce meaningful relationships. Through guided practice, participants will interact with AI tutoring platforms and build strategies for immediate classroom implementation. Attendees will leave equipped to use AI intentionally to accelerate learning, strengthen engagement, and support student success in both academic and community contexts. Top examples of AI tutoring tools for K–12 include Khanmigo, Socratic, Duolingo Max, and Photomath.
Teacher Clarity in the Age of AI - Teacher clarity remains one of the most powerful influences on student achievement. In this session, participants will explore how clear learning intentions, success criteria, and purposeful instruction create the foundation for visible learning and student success. As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into classrooms, clarity is more important than ever. Educators will examine how AI can support teacher clarity from refining learning targets and generating success criteria to providing timely feedback while ensuring that instructional decisions remain intentional and student-centered. Grounded in research and aligned with the work of John Hattie, this session provides practical strategies for using AI as a tool to enhance clarity, not replace it. Participants will leave with actionable approaches to help students better understand what they are learning, why it matters, and how to demonstrate success in an AI-supported learning environment.
AI in the Classroom : Privacy, Responsibility, and Possibility - As artificial intelligence becomes more present in education, it is essential to approach its use with both intention and care. This session focuses on the responsible integration of AI in the classroom, with an emphasis on student data privacy, ethical use, and informed decision-making. Participants will explore practical ways to leverage AI tools to support instruction while maintaining safe and respectful learning environments. The session will also highlight strategies for teaching students to use AI responsibly as part of their everyday learning.
Beyond Proficiency: The Blueprint for Every Student’s Breakthrough - When students feel safe, seen, and connected, they are more willing to take risks, engage deeply with content, and persist through challenges. The structures we put in place to support learning—clear expectations, meaningful tasks, and opportunities for collaboration—also foster belonging, trust, and connection.
These elements are not separate priorities to balance; they are deeply intertwined. The same practices that elevate content proficiency also serve as protective factors, creating environments where students feel supported both academically and emotionally. Design for both. You’ll get both.