Speakers

Keynote Speakers

(In order of appearance)

Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff

Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff (@LucyKirchh) is an educator and consultant with over 20 years of experience in science, history, and civic education. She has a Master of Science in Education from California Baptist University and is a Google Certified Trainer. She is passionate about fostering engaged and informed citizens through digital literacy, media literacy, and inquiry-based learning. In 2023, Laurel was awarded the ISTE "20 to Watch" international award.

Laurel is an active member and leader of several professional communities, including ISTE, CUE, Educators' Community, Inland Area CUE, and National History Day-California.

Pooja K. Agarwal, PhD

Pooja K. Agarwal, Ph.D. (she/her, @RetrieveLearn) is a cognitive scientist, conducting research on how students learn since 2005. She is the author of the book Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning and an Associate Professor of Psychology at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, teaching psychological science to exceptional undergraduate musicians. Dr. Agarwal is also the Founder of RetrievalPractice.org, a source of research-based teaching strategies for more than 15,000 teachers around the world.

Dr. Agarwal’s research has been published in leading peer-reviewed academic journals; featured in The New York Times, NPR, Scientific American, and Education Week; recognized by the National Science Foundation; and highlighted in numerous books, podcasts, and videos.

Dr. Agarwal received her Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. Her love of learning formed at the outset of her career as a 4th and 5th grade teacher in St. Louis, Missouri.

Eric Curts

Eric has been in education for 32 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio where he oversees Google for Education implementation, training, and support, as well as other technology integration initiatives. Eric is an authorized Google Education Trainer and Innovator, and provides training to schools, organizations, and conferences throughout Ohio and across the country. He is a co-leader of the Ohio Google Educator Group at bit.ly/gegohio. Eric runs the award-winning blog www.ControlAltAchieve.com where all of his edtech resources can be found, and is the author of the book "Control Alt Achieve: Rebooting Your Classroom with Creative Google Projects".

Session Speakers

(In alphabetical order)

Kellie Ady

Kellie Ady, an “almost native” of Colorado, started her career in public education over 30 years ago as a high school English teacher before moving into technology leadership roles at both school and district levels. In her current role as Senior Director, Education Strategy for PowerSchool, she works with strategic customers across the country who are implementing digital learning initiatives, particularly around classroom-focused solutions. Prior to joining the private sector, she led district-level efforts in advancing and supporting instructional technology and curriculum initiatives, including one of the earliest district-wide Chromebook rollouts in the US, adopting and implementing learning management systems, and designing professional learning around impacting instruction with technology. Kellie has presented nationally and regionally at conferences, including ISTE, AASPA, CoSN, Learning Forward, InnEdCo, 1EdTech, Schoology NEXT, Google EDU Summits, and PowerSchools’s EDGE events. Kellie is passionate about anytime, anywhere learning and affecting systemic change.

Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson is a facilitator with the Innovative Education department of the Durham District School Board. Prior to accepting this five-year position, Chris taught in grades 4-8. Over the last few years, Chris has had the opportunity to partner with staff and students across a region made up of urban, rural, and suburban communities. The Innovative Education department supports the system through co-planning, co-teaching, training students on different technologies, and providing documentation for new software. Due to its comfort with educational technology and sound pedagogy, the Innovative Education department was instrumental to the success of DDSB’s quick pivots to online learning during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Born in Nova Scotia, Chris now lives just east of Toronto in Whitby, Ontario, with his wife and two rambunctious boys.

Jen Artan

Jen Artan, M.Ed., CELTA, is a seasoned Continuing Education Instructor and PBLA Lead with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and a Mentor with LearnIT2Teach. As a recent panelist in TESL Ontario's "Fireside Chat," Jen engaged in a conversation on the impact of generative AI in education. Jen is a dynamic presenter, covering Ed-tech subjects like ChatGPT, Google Classroom, and more. With experience in both private and public sectors, including her role as a Communications Professor with George Brown College, she addresses the demand for pragmatic, applicable, and standards-aligned resources for learners and educators.

Jake Carr

Jacob Carr, an educator and consultant with over 15 years in K-12 education, merges AI with innovative pedagogy. He's also a high school English teacher, balancing work with family life and hobbies like outdoor adventures and watercolor painting. Jacob's expertise includes delivering engaging workshops and keynotes on EduProtocols and modern teaching techniques. He holds a M.A. in Education, various teaching certifications, and co-hosts the popular "What Teachers Have to Say" podcast. Additionally, he's the author of the upcoming "EduProtocols Book 5: AP English Language Arts Edition," showcasing his commitment to sharing what he can to help teachers "Work better, teach less."

Nathan Collins

Nathan Collins is a progressive educator dedicated to empowering students to take charge of their own learning. His teaching philosophy focuses on equipping students with the skills, strategies, and tools to boldly go beyond the classroom. Some of his current projects include: developing an AI-enhanced, college-level ELA course at his hybrid independent study high school in California, consulting to facilitate AI implementation in schools, and co-hosting the podcast What Teachers Have to Say to showcase the methodologies of top educators, pull in new ideas from fields outside education, and help teachers step up their game in the modern classroom.

Cristina Costa, PhD

Cristina Costa is Associate Professor in the School of Education, and Co-Director of Durham Research Methods Centre at Durham University, UK. Her research and teaching focuses on educational and digital practices and inequalities. She is particularly interested in exploring the intersection of education and emergent social phenomena through different social theory lenses. She has conducted research and written about digital education and inequality issues through a critical tradition in an attempt to problematise digital technologies and practices as complex phenomena.

Karle Delo

Karle Delo is an instructional coach and Curriculum Director who is passionate about empowering educators and students. In her current role, she provides teachers with support and training on how to use technology to save time and enhance instruction. Karle is also a frequent speaker at education conferences and has been featured in numerous publications and podcasts. In 2023, she was named one of the top 30 K-12 EdTech Influencers to follow by EdTech Magazine. On her TikTok and Instagram channels, @coachkarle, she creates videos about Canva, Google for Education, and the latest AI tools for teachers.

Carla de Schneider

Carla de Schneider, an Ontario educator with over 20 years of classroom experience, stands as the founder of Kaleidoskape Education Consultancy. Recognized as an early innovator, Carla has been a trailblazer in the seamless integration of educational technology, transforming teaching and learning experiences. Her expertise extends to guiding fellow educators in harnessing the power of AI tools to bring about tangible transformations in both student learning experiences and teacher workflow. With a proven track record of pioneering technology integration, Carla brings a wealth of insights to empower educators in the ever-evolving landscape of education technology.

Ng Ee Noch

I am currently the Head of Department of Information Communication Technology (HOD ICT) at Boon Lay Garden Primary School, a public school in Singapore. I am an experienced elementary school educator who has been teaching Math and Science to students from grade 4 to 6 for 14 years. I was privileged to be awarded the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers (Fulbright DAI) in Fall 2023. I am passionate about exploring and sharing with others the most effective ways to integrate edtech tools with new or existing pedagogies.

Suzannah Evans

I am an Instructional Coordinator with the St. Vrain Valley Schools in Longmont, CO where I support principals and teachers in data analysis and instructional decision-making. I've always been eager to innovate and seek opportunities to grow. I believe we can react to change or be change-makers. As technology evolves, people and organizations that not only welcome and embrace change, but also seek to thoughtfully activate ideas, develop creative solutions, and curate out-of-the-box thinking become thought leaders. St. Vrain is one of those organizations and we are embracing AI with open and thoughtful arms!

Ken French

Ken French is a dedicated public servant, technology enthusiast, and devoted family man residing in Homeland, CA. His commitment to education shines through his active role as a member of the Nuview Union School District Board. Ken champions policies that promote high-quality, adaptable education, preparing students for success in a technologically dynamic world. This passion for technology extends beyond his professional life, as Ken enjoys sharing insights and exploring innovation with his family and friends and in his business endeavors.

Ken's educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Management Information Systems. This foundation supports his service at the Nuview Union School District on the Board, Budget Committee, and Safety Committee. Ken's community engagement extends to the Menifee Chamber of Commerce, volunteering as a Pony League Baseball Manager and serving on the Riverside County Municipal Advisory Council.

Denny Hammond

I am a passionate educator (21+ years) with expertise in both traditional and online learning. A former online director & principal, recognized for tech integration & innovation. Currently, EdTech/Data Coach at Adena Local Schools, empowering teachers with engaging PD & creative tech strategies (Thinkin' on the Throne newsletter!). Conference presenter (O.E.T.C., etc.) & Google Certified Trainer. Leading district's revamping of Tech Plan. Excited about tech's potential in education & committed to helping educators navigate it.

John Huber

John Huber is in his 27th year in education and currently is the proud Superintendent of the Nuview Union School District, a role he has held since June of 2020. Prior to being the Superintendent, John has previously held roles as a classroom teacher and high school basketball coach, as well as having the opportunity to open a brand new middle school as the principal before moving into Human Resources at the District Office level. He also served in the role of Adjunct Professor for Concordia University for the Educational Leadership Department for fifteen years prior to taking on the role of Superintendent.

Beyond his professional endeavors, John finds fulfillment in family life, cherishing moments with his wife and two daughters. When he is not spending time with his family and friends, he enjoys playing pickleball as a way to relieve stress when there is a challenging day at work.

Deirdre Kennedy

As a dedicated educator with over 12 years of experience, I have passionately taught French, Spanish, and senior social studies courses in Parksville, BC, Canada. My enthusiasm for integrating technology into education led me to explore the potential of AI in enhancing teaching and learning. I have developed resources and led workshops for fellow educators on leveraging AI for educational purposes, including innovative applications in report card comments. Eager to foster a community of forward-thinking educators, I am thrilled to share my insights and strategies at this conference, showcasing the transformative impact of AI in our teaching practices.

Kara Kennedy, PhD

Kara Kennedy, PhD, is an educator, researcher, and writer in the areas of digital and AI literacy, technology, and science fiction. She is the author of books and articles on the topics of science fiction, Wikipedia and academia, and digital literacy in the arts and humanities. She believes that technology is for everyone and has seen the pressing need for digital and AI literacy and skill-building across all levels of society. She also enjoys making technical topics accessible and bridging the digital divide through interesting and engaging digital and AI skills training.

Jeffrey Kilner, MEd

Jeffrey Kilner, M.Ed., is a technology integration specialist for the Indian River School District in southern Delaware. He supports teachers by providing training and feedback on how to equitably and intentionally integrate technology into their practice. Jeff earned a master’s degree in education from SUNY at Buffalo, and a bachelor’s in biology education from Clarion University. A former Delaware STEM Educator of the Year, Jeff served as both a fellow, and later a leading fellow, in Stanford University's Hollyhock Fellowship program. When not immersed in education, he can be found at the beach with his wife and two daughters.

Ravi Kittu

Ravi Kittu is an accomplished leader with over two decades of expertise spanning product management, education technology, and entrepreneurship. Currently, he holds the position of Vice President of Product Management at PowerSchool India, where he is building a robust product practice driving innovation, strategy, and team development. His vision extends beyond national borders, and he plays a pivotal role in expanding PowerSchool products to international markets. Ravi's journey in the education technology sector has been marked by pioneering initiatives. He was a co-founder of Pengala Learning and its sub-brand Vidyanext, a prominent EdTech startup, where he led the team through seven years of innovation. Vidyanext introduced a groundbreaking "Tech+Teacher" blended learning model, revolutionizing how school students master mathematics and science by leveraging a combination of mobile apps and in-person tutoring. Likened to an "Uber for Tuition," this demonstrates Ravi's innovative mindset.At the core of Ravi's commitment to EdTech lies a passion for transforming education. He firmly believes that while technology is a crucial enabler, the role of teachers remain indispensable. Ravi's vision is to empower educators with technology, enabling them to achieve superior results and facilitate holistic and personalised learning experiences.

Luke Koslosky

Luke Koslosky is a Research Analyst at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET). He focuses on artificial intelligence workforce and education policy, with an emphasis on increasing access to AI careers through alternative training pathways. His work has been featured in New America and the Hill. Previously, Luke was a Research Associate worked on science and technology policy for federal agencies like NASA, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, DARPA, and more. Luke also served as a staffer in the House of Representatives.

Kimberly Lane Clark

Kimberly Lane Clark, Ed.S, has dedicated the past 16 years of her career to championing digital equity for minority girls. With a background as an educator in Mississippi and Texas, Kimberly brings a wealth of classroom experience to her current role as an Educator Advocacy Lead at Google. In her work at Google, Kimberly collaborates closely with educators to leverage educational technology and build community for transformative impact. Her passion for cooking and her commitment to addressing inequities faced by underrepresented girls extend beyond her professional life, as she actively advocates for STEM education and shares her insights on Twitter (@askatechnogirl) and LinkedIn.

Daniel Lopez

Daniel is an AI-powered college access leader and host of The AI Education Conversation podcast, which explores the risks, opportunities, and impact of artificial intelligence on education.

Daniel has deep educational perspectives through his roles as a teacher, college advisor, and program leader in the largest school districts in Texas and across districts in Massachusetts.

Daniel's mission is to transform the educational experience so young people can realize their passions post high school and education practitioners can extend their careers without burning out. Daniel believes AI can serve as a catalyst for transforming education and has explored AI tools for more than 1000 hours.

Byron McClure, EdD

Dr. Byron McClure is a National Certified School Psychologist on a mission to shift from what's wrong to what's strong. Dr. McClure has practiced as a School Psychologist for over a decade and has led school transformation work in Southeast, D.C. He founded Lessons For SEL to help improve the well-being of youth. He is the best-selling author of Hacking Deficit Thinking and speaks across the country to move towards strength-based practices. He is currently the founder of School Psych AI, where he is committed to helping School Psychologists focus less on paperwork and more on heartwork.

Katie McNamara

Katie McNamara serves as a teacher librarian at a public high school in California, director of the Teacher Librarian Program at Fresno Pacific University, and various EDU boards. She is a Google Certified Innovator and AASL Tech Troubadour. She served as president of the California School Library Association (2020-2021). Katie has authored contributing chapters and published many journal articles. She has won numerous awards for being innovative and sharing content. She enjoys learning, empowering teachers to inspire student learning, and frequently sharing her expertise as a national and global presenter. She is also a proud boymom. Inspire.Create.Empower.Repeat. Connect with her on social media @KatieJMcNamara.

Lisa Moe

Lisa Moe teaches 6th Grade in Corona-Norco Unified School District and is known on Social Media as @MissMoeTeaches. She was named the 2020 Edwin Carr recipient in Educational Technology through California State University, Fullerton and the 2021 IACUE Blended and Online Educator of the Year. In 2022, she was featured on CBS Mission: Unstoppable as a leading female in STEM. She currently serves on the Inland Area CUE board and is a 2023-2024 CSTA Equity Fellow. She hopes to continue to make a positive and significant impact in the world of STEAM, CS, and Educational Technology.

Adam Moler

My name is Adam Moler, an 8th grade social studies teacher from Cincinnati, OH. I'm a two-time Teacher of the Year, having received the 2023 District 5 OH Teacher of the Year and 2022 Ohio Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year awards. I'm the author of EduProtocols Social Studies Edition, a book sharing best practices for social studies instruction. In addition to the classroom, I serve as a presenter, AI consultant, and mentor for other teachers looking to enhance their social studies curriculum and instruction with technology and evidence-based techniques.

Mary Elizabeth Nelson

With over three decades of experience in education, Mary Elizabeth Nelson brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to every presentation. From teaching elementary and middle school to serving as a library media specialist and instructional technology coach, she is currently the lead in the instructional technology department of Cobb County Schools, Georgia's second-largest district.

In addition to her professional roles, Mary Elizabeth shares expertise as an adjunct professor. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking in National Parks, traveling with her husband, shopping with her daughter, Sarah Grace, and leisurely walks with her furry child, Polly.

Chrissi Nerantzi, PhD

Chrissi Nerantzi (NTF, CATE, PFHEA) is a Professor in Creative and Open Education in the School of Education, a Senior Lead of the Knowledge Equity Network and the Academic Lead for Discover and Explore at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Her research interests are in the areas of creativity, open education and collaborative learning. Chrissi is the founder of the international #creativeHE community and has initiated a range of further open professional development courses, networks and communities that have been sustained over the years. A recent open crowdsourced publication from this community is the 101 creative ideas to use AI in education she co-edited and published in 2023. Chrissi and actively experiments in her practice with AI with her students and colleagues.

TJ Neville

As an experienced History Social Sciences educator, I have dedicated 20 years to classroom teaching. In addition, for the past decade, I have been actively involved in facilitating professional development focused on instructional technology. My passion lies in collaborating with educators, helping them expand their knowledge and skills in utilizing technology, exploring innovative pedagogical approaches, and cultivating reflective thinking about instructional technology. I hold a MA in Curriculum and Instruction, along with a MA in Educational Psychology / Educational Technology. I am also an Apple Learning Coach, Apple Teacher, and a Google Certified Educator Levels 1 and 2.

Peter Paccone

Peter Paccone is a San Marino High School social studies teacher with nearly three decades of teaching experience. He is widely recognized as a leading figure in AI and education. He frequently blogs and speaks about the topic and, in the past year, has appeared on numerous podcasts, sharing his insights on AI in education. He serves on the College Board's AI in AP Advisory Committee and holds the role of Teacher Advisory Board and Community Outreach Manager for Class Companion. Additionally, he founded the AI in AP Social Studies Facebook group and is his district's go-to expert for AI integration.

Carissa Peck

Carissa got into teaching for the visas, having taught in South Korea, Spain, Mexico, and ending where she started in San Diego. She started teaching English Language, then transitioned to literature and ended teaching Technological Literacy and Yearbook. Now, she's the EdTech Coordinator in sunny San Diego, geeking out about how AI can amp up student support. But here's the twist – before diving into the tech excitement, I am trying to understand all the teacher concerns. She's on a mission to make sure AI brings the smarts while keeping student safety and privacy top-notch.

Robert Peters, EdD

Dr. Robert Peters is the Senior Vice President at Successful Practices Network and the National Dropout Prevention Center. Robert strongly believes in Future Focused education for ALL students and has effectively worked with Superintendents across the United States in rural, suburban and some of the largest urban districts including Miami-Dade County, Los Angeles Unified and Atlanta Public Schools. Robert is dedicated to working with Superintendents, campus- based administrators and teachers to create Future Focused solutions that empower academic success.

Samira Rajabi, PhD

Samira Rajabi, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Media Studies. Previously, she was a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Advanced Research in Global Communication at the Annenberg School at the University of Pennsylvania from 2017-2019. Her book All of My Friends Live in My Computer: Tactical Media, Trauma and Meaning Making was published in May of 2021 by Rutgers University Press. Samira specializes in issues regarding digital media, politics of suffering, the body, race, gender, ability and trauma.

Rajabi completed her doctoral degree in media research and practice at the University of Colorado Boulder, where her research focused on digital media's affordances in meaning-making processes.

Zahra Razi

Zahra is a middle school math and computer science educator from California, renowned for her innovative approach to teaching. With a solid foundation in computer science initiated during her high school years through a Career Technical Education pathway, she has adeptly integrated computer Science principles into her 7th and 8th grade math curricula. Zahra's teaching methodology not only enhances students' computational thinking but also bridges the gap between theoretical math and practical computer science applications.

Lynn Shafer Willner, PhD

Lynn Shafer Willner, Ph.D., works to improve equity and accessibility for K-12 multilingual learners through the design of digital tools, assessment tools, accessibility and accommodations research and guidelines, and language development standards. Most recently, Lynn led the development of the WIDA Language Expectations, the alignment architecture for the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition, and the WIDA Standards Digital Explorer. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-shafer-willner-90025a9

Lisa Snow

Lisa Snow is an EdTech Specialist and Educator with over 15 years of classroom experience. She is passionate about using AI to enhance learning outcomes and empower educators. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and an ISTE Certified Educator. She also has an IBM AI fundamentals credential and is a Magic School AI Pioneer. She has presented to principals and teachers on AI and education, developed AI PD for her school, and is a part of the district teacher leader cohort. She is excited to share her insights and best practices at Sequoia Con 2024.

Sophie Theodorou

Sophie is a classroom teacher in Canada undergoing educational leadership training. She is passionate about STEM and integrating technology into teaching and learning. Sophie began sharing her expertise online providing her tips on how to use AI as a teacher. Known as teach2ai on TikTok, she has amassed over 30k followers and over 4k subscribers to her newsletter. She believes it is our duty to create 21st century learners familiar with all facets of AI. Sophie is excited to share her expertise and provide school leaders with resources they can implement immediately to enhance their own productivity and practice, as well as establishing AI policies for schools.

Jennifer Wood

Jennifer Wood has worked in education for 24+ years. Beginning work in Illinois, she spent time as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, interventionist, and a district improvement coach. In 2019, moving to Texas brought new experiences. Starting back into the classroom in 4th grade, shifting to an instructional technology specialist role for the last 4 years. Mrs. Wood graduated from the University of Evansville in Indiana and has passions for reading, thinking, learning, technology, building relationships, and supporting learners of all ages!

Kevin Wright

Kevin Wright is the Instructional Media Coordinator of Appoquinimink School District in Delaware. An educator with 15 years of experience, Kevin serves on several State committees such as the Digital Learning Cadre Leadership Team and Delaware Council For EdTech.

In his district role, he oversees the 1 to 1 program, and curriculum integrations and is a lead on the district's Grading, Assessment, and Portfolio Committees.

Kevin's current projects have him focused on emergent technology such as Artificial Intelligence and Holistic Grading. He is currently overseeing his district's shift from traditional grading systems to a standards-aligned portfolio with holistic grading opportunities.

Ashley Yazarlou

Ashley Yazarlou is an Educational Technology Specialist and Instructional Coach (TOSA) in Hemet Unified School District and serves as the VP of Communications for the IACUE Affiliate. Additionally, she hosts and produces a podcast for teachers called the Blending In Podcast where she chats with innovative educators who are "blending in" EdTech! Prior to accepting this role outside of the classroom, Ashley taught ELA in the middle school setting for 11 years in both Florida & California schools.