Elevating Classroom Rigor with the Marzano Taxonomy
Join us for an engaging, hands-on session designed to strengthen the alignment between your classroom tasks and the rigor of your standards and learning targets. In this interactive experience, you will:
• Explore the Marzano Taxonomy in depth;
• Learn how to analyze whether a task reflects the true complexity of a learning target;
• Practice designing or refining tasks that match the rigor required by the standard. You’ll leave with ready-to-use, high-quality tasks that elevate student thinking and honor the intent of your standards.
Whether you’re new to the Marzano model or deeply familiar with it, this session creates space for every participant to explore, collaborate, and grow.
Julie Bettis
Julie Bettis is a dedicated and experienced educator with 34 years in public education, serving as an elementary teacher, Instructional Coach, and Principal in Wichita Public Schools—the largest district in Kansas. Since 2017, she has worked with Instructional Empowerment and the Marzano Evaluation Center as a Staff Developer, School Leadership Coach, and District Lead, supporting teachers and administrators across multiple states.
As a principal in an urban setting, Julie successfully led her schools through continuous improvement efforts, utilizing the Marzano Teacher Evaluation framework and Essentials for Achieving Rigor to enhance instructional effectiveness. Passionate about serving at-risk students, she has led three schools with significant populations of students in poverty and English Language Learners (ELL). Her expertise spans school improvement, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and Turnaround Schools.
Julie thrives on coaching schools and districts nationwide, helping them connect and align their efforts for optimal results. She brings a deep knowledge of best practices, coupled with enthusiasm, warmth, and a commitment to making professional learning engaging and impactful.
Driven by her belief in the transformative power of education, Julie remains committed to empowering students and educators. She holds a Master’s in School Leadership from Friends University and a BSE from the University of Kansas. Additionally, she participated in the Harvard Graduate School of Education Summer Institute for Turnaround Principals.
Session Details
Audience: Teacher, Instructional Coach
Difficulty Level: Novice