Oklahoma Baptist University to host Crash Course Conference for educators June 9

May 6, 2026

Oklahoma Baptist University will host a one-day professional development event for educators to strengthen classroom effectiveness ahead of the new school year.

“The Crash Course Conference: Start Strong, Teach Stronger” is scheduled for June 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the OBU campus. The event is designed for both new teachers preparing for their first year and experienced educators seeking practical strategies to improve instruction.

Hosted by the Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education, the conference will focus on safe, effective and engaging teaching practices. Organizers say the goal is to equip teachers with tools that translate directly into classroom success.

“This conference is about giving educators what they actually need — practical strategies they can use immediately,” said Dr. Elizabeth Justice, co-director of OBU’s Master of Arts in Teaching program. “We want teachers to walk into the school year confident and prepared.”

The event is free and includes all session materials, a light breakfast and lunch.

Participants will choose from breakout sessions tailored to their experience level, with specialized tracks for newly certified teachers and veteran educators. Topics will include artificial intelligence in the classroom, classroom management, student motivation, differentiation, behavior and trauma, reading instruction, project-based learning, legal and ethical issues and lesson planning.

Dr. Annie Keehn, co-director of the Master of Arts in Teaching program, said the conference is designed with educators’ time in mind.

“We know teachers are busy,” Keehn said. “This is a focused, high-impact day built to help them start the year strong and sustain that momentum.”

The conference is funded through an Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Teacher Connection Grant.

Registration is open now at okbu.edu/events/crash-course-conference.