2025 TETL Summer Conference: Full Schedule

8:50am CDT

From 900 to 125 tools: The Journey to a Streamlined EdTech Ecosystem LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:50am - 9:40am CDT

Ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of EdTech tools in your district? Join me as I share my experience of tackling this challenge head-on! I'll walk you through the steps we took to go from 900+ tools down to 125 in just one year. We'll discuss practical strategies like engaging stakeholders, analyzing data, and navigating tough conversations. Leave this session with actionable ideas to streamline your own EdTech ecosystem and maximize your impact on student learning.

Speakers

Torie Marquez

Director of Technology, Fort Sam Houston ISD

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:50am - 9:40am CDT
Waterway 3

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

8:50am CDT

Leveraging Edtech for Meaningful Student Engagement LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:50am - 9:40am CDT

Waterway 2

What is it that really works with edtech? How can we move past digitizing worksheets to engage students in meaningful and relevant ways? What does research on the effective use of edtech actually indicate? How can we best implement these ideas during instruction, and how can we also leverage tools for efficiency? Join this year’s keynote speaker Thomas C. Murray to explore meaningful ways to seamlessly integrate technology resources into your setting and leave with great, useable digital tools and resources for your work! Bring your device, come ready to explore and leave with tools you can use tomorrow!

Speakers

Thomas C. Murray

Educator. Author. Speaker., Thomas C Murray, LLC

After serving at the elementary and secondary levels as both a teacher and a principal, and then at the district level, Tom now serves as the Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools, a project of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. He has testified before the United States... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:50am - 9:40am CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout

Area Instructional Focus & Professional Development

9:45am CDT

Leadership the Fosters Creativity LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 9:45am - 10:35am CDT

Waterway 3

Teacher and IT burnout are real challenges. Creative leadership empowers educators and IT professionals to thoughtfully experiment, innovate, and thrive. This session explores how fostering creativity builds engaged, resilient teams, improves retention, and enhances learning environments. Discover real-world examples and actionable strategies to inspire a culture of innovation, fun, and achievement—perfect for tackling CoSN’s 2024-25 hurdle of attracting and retaining educators and IT professionals.

Speakers

Stacy Hawthorne

Executive Director/Chair Elect, EdTech Leaders Alliance/CoSN

Dr. Stacy Hawthorne is the Chief Academic Officer for Learn21. In this role, she leads the professional learning department and is responsible for overseeing the strategy and execution of instructional technology goals for the organization. She previously worked for Clarity Innovations... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
Waterway 3

Breakout

Area Leadership and Vision

9:45am CDT

Measuring Cybersecurity Effectiveness Using an Education National Standard and Rubric LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 9:45am - 10:35am CDT

Waterway 2

Join Amanda Lanicek of Springtown ISD and ClassLink to journey through the Cybersecurity Rubric 2.0, discovering how the use of the assessment results will enable you to develop a strategic plan for improvement. The rubric was designed to measure cybersecurity effectiveness in school systems by gauging cybersecurity practice maturity levels against the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework 2.0. We will also explore ClassLink’s Audit Center which provides a central repository where you can store your cybersecurity rubrics you do every single year, gathering that data to help you prioritize your efforts to increase your security posture. Your journey to a more cyber-secure school system begins here!

Speakers

Elizabeth Perrin

Director of Community Engagement and Sales Development, ClassLink

Elizabeth manages the ClassLink Community which provides a hub where ClassLink enthusiasts share experiences, collaborate on ideas, and support one another. She also continues to support our ClassLink Partners across the United States, evangelizing the features and potential as well... Read More →

Amanda Lanicek

CTO, Springtown ISD

Amanda serves as the Chief Technology Officer in Springtown ISD.

Tuesday June 24, 2025 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout

Area Data Security and Management

1:20pm CDT

Building Successful Relationships with Vendors LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT

Waterway 7

Speakers

Dr. Kyle Jones

Director of Technology, Lackland ISD

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT
Waterway 7

Breakout

1:20pm CDT

Leadership Beyond Service: IT Service & Support is the Easy Part LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT

Waterway 6

NISD leadership team's efforts "behind the scenes" to cultivate a high-functioning, continuous improvement-focused IT department through the implementation of purposeful professional development, staff engagement, recognition, and growth opportunities.

Speakers

Kris Trejo

Assistant Superintendent for Technology Services, Northside ISD

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT
Waterway 6

Breakout

Area Leadership and Vision

1:20pm CDT

Navigating Students’ Pathways: Embracing AI/AR/VR's Role in Education LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT

Waterway 2

Discover how school districts, technical centers, community colleges and universities across Texas are using augmented reality, virtual reality and AI to innovate their STEM and CTE programs.

This session will feature Ben Peterson, former CTE Director at North East ISD, who has taken a unique approach to workforce preparedness with his students. Using AR/VR computers, Ben rotated students through hands-on activities in STEM, Health Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Science, and Transportation to expose students to career pathways. This approach has led to improved achievement, engagement, motivation, and workforce preparedness.

Speakers

Ben Peterson

Account Executive, zSpace, Inc.

zSpace is the leading evidence-based augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) platform providing innovative hands-on, experiential learning to improve achievement in science, math, and career and technical education credentialing.A comprehensive solution consisting of Windows-based AR/VR... Read More →

Alex Donaghy

CTE Program Specialist, Richardson ISD

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout

Area Leadership & Vision

1:20pm CDT

Navigating the First Two Years: Lessons Learned in District Technology Leadership LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT

Waterway 3

In this session, newly appointed technology leaders will gain valuable insights from the first two years of an executive director's journey. Discover practical advice and hidden tips that can help you succeed in your role. From managing teams to implementing effective strategies, this session will provide common sense suggestions and lesser-known tactics to navigate the challenges of district technology leadership. Join us to learn how to lead with confidence and make a lasting impact.

Speakers

Chad Jones

Executive Director of Technology, Lamar Consolidated ISD

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT
Waterway 3

Breakout

Area Leadership and Vision

1:20pm CDT

Taking the Next Step in School Safety - Wearables LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT

Waterway 1

Are you ready to take the next step in safety alert communications? How do you ensure that all staff have the capability to notify campus officials of potential student and staff harm? Deer Park ISD is taking the next step to provide wearable badges allowing all staff including substitutes and contractors to send pre-configured alerts securely over a long-range LoRa network by simply pressing a button on their wearable Raptor Alert badge.

Speakers

Dr. Kari Murphy

Chief Technology Officer, Deer Park ISD

Dr. Kari Murphy with over 30 years experience in educational technology, currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer for Deer Park Independent School District in Texas. In 2019, she was awarded the TCEA Lifetime Achievement for the Advancement of Technology in Education. In 2016... Read More →

Chris Porter

Manager of Product Management for Campus Safety, Raptor Technologies

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT
Waterway 1

Breakout, panel of experts

Area Communication Systems

1:20pm CDT

The Key to Successful ERP Implementation: The Critical Role of Planning and Analysis LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT

Waterway 8

In this presentation, we will explore the essential role that thorough planning and detailed analysis play in the successful implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. We'll examine how a well-structured approach can help organizations avoid common pitfalls, reduce risks, and ensure that the ERP system aligns with business goals. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of why strategic planning and meticulous analysis are the foundation of a successful ERP implementation.

Speakers

Bryon Kolbeck

Chief Technology Officer, Lewisville ISD

Bryon Kolbeck is the Chief Technology Officer for Lewisville ISD. Lewisville ISD is located approximately 25 miles Northwest of Dallas and with his leadership the Technology Department oversees over 50K iPads and maintains one of the largest public-sector fiber optic networks in Denton... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:20pm - 2:10pm CDT
Waterway 8

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

2:50pm CDT

8 Critical Audits to Protect Your District's Google Workspace & Microsoft 365 LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT

Waterway 1

K12 techs often struggle with limited time and tools to proactively monitor online risks within Google Workspace/Microsoft 365. In this interactive session, we pull from our experience performing thousands of cybersecurity and safety audits with districts to bring you the top eight investigations that will impact your district the most. Discover how to efficiently audit your environment by quickly identifying risks like suspicious logins, data leaks, and student safety concerns, without overwhelming your workload.

Speakers

David Waugh

Cybersecurity Champion for Education, ManagedMethods

"ManagedMethods offers K-12 IT teams efficient, cost-effective products to detect cyber safety signals and data security risks in district Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 accounts, and in the browser.Cloud Monitor, Content Web Filter and Classroom Manager

Tom Schmidt

Account Executive, ManagedMethods

Toni Mcpherson

Director of Network Services, Humble Independent School District

I am completing my sixth year in Ed Tech. I recently joined the Leadership team at Humble ISD. Previously, I served as the Director of Technology in Beaumont ISD for five years. I am excited to work in a new environment, continue to expand my network, and eager to discover leading... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT
Waterway 1

Breakout, panel of experts

Area Information Technology

2:50pm CDT

CETL Certification LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT

Waterway 6

Speakers

Chelsea Earhart

Director of Certification, CoSN

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT
Waterway 6

Breakout

2:50pm CDT

From Vision to Action: Elevating Your IT Department with a Strategic Roadmap for Continuous Improvement LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT

Waterway 3

Discover how San Antonio ISD's IT department used a strategic roadmap to drive continuous improvement and digital transformation. Learn how to align vision, empower staff, and create an actionable plan that elevates your team's impact. Leave with practical strategies to build a collaborative, mission-driven culture of improvement.

Speakers

Eugene Gonzalez

Exec Dir, Info Tech, SAISD

Eva Rodriguez Mendoza

Chief Information Technology officer, San Antonio ISD

Stephen Haskin

Director of IT Program Management, San Antonio ISD

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT
Waterway 3

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

2:50pm CDT

Getting a Clear Picture of Your Staffing Reality in a Fast Growth District LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT

Waterway 2

Join a fast-growth district to learn how siloed technology departments came together to develop unified technology teams. Collaborating with iSphere, Conroe ISD identified emerging top-tier operational technology school districts among the 27 largest school districts in Texas. With this clear picture of reality, Conroe ISD is developing a long-range technology strategic plan (aligned with district goals and objectives) for driving technology initiatives within our fast growth district over the next five years.

Speakers

Jarod Lambert

Director, Information Systems, Conroe ISD

Karen Fuller

Director Technology Innovation, iSphere

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

2:50pm CDT

Maximizing Technology Budgets: Smart Financing Strategies for K-12 Schools LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT

Waterway 7

With shrinking budgets and rising demands for up-to-date technology, how can school districts ensure they have the tools they need without breaking the bank? This panel of K-12 education leaders will share real-world strategies for overcoming budget deficits through technology leasing and financing solutions. Learn how districts are maximizing resources, maintaining sustainable tech refresh cycles, and making strategic financial decisions that support long-term success.

Speakers

Lacey Gosch

Assistant Supper Intendant, Judson ISD

Shad McGaha

CTO, Belton ISD

Austin Contreras

Chief Technology Officer, Corsicana ISD

Kyle Singer

Vice President, Insight Financial Services

Jake Howard

Vice President, Insight Financial Services

If you want to explore creative ways to fund your technology projects, I'm your guy! We have dozens of customers attending TETL, and I'd be happy to introduce you to one of them to ask about their experience working with me.

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT
Waterway 7

Breakout, panel of experts

Area Strategic Planning

2:50pm CDT

Securing the Future: District Data Governance at Every Scale LIMITED

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT

Waterway 8

Join us for an engaging Q&A-style panel featuring leaders from school districts of varying sizes as they share their journeys in implementing effective data governance. From mid-sized communities to large urban enterprise systems, each panelist will discuss how their district tackled the challenges of establishing ownership, documenting processes, managing and securing data, the strategies that worked, and the lessons learned along the way. Discover how thoughtful governance can build trust, strengthen security, and create scalable solutions across educational landscapes.

Speakers

Heather Potts

Director Information Systems, Ector County ISD

Melissa McCalla

CTO, Pasadena ISD

Samantha Sotelo

IS Student Applications Manager, Ector County ISD

Jennifer Grimm

Director of Information Services and Applications, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:40pm CDT
Waterway 8

Breakout, panel of experts

Area Strategic Planning

8:30am CDT

CTRL + ALT + ALIGN: Synching Technology and Curriculum for Student Success LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Waterway 2

When curriculum and instructional tech teams align, amazing things happen. Ctrl + Alt + Align invites district leaders to explore the power of collaboration—where shared vision, creativity, and innovation come together to design high-impact curriculum resources. Learn how to break past silos, build strong cross-department partnerships, and lead with energy and purpose. The future of learning is connected—let’s create it together!

Speakers

Katie Beauchene

District Instructional Technology Coach, Conroe ISD

Katie Beauchene is a District Instructional Technology Coach in Conroe ISD. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Wisconsin Lutheran College. She has been in the education field since 2004, with most of those years in Conroe ISD. She previously taught in grades... Read More →

Katie Jackson

Instructional Technology Specialist, Conroe Independent School District

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout, Interactive Discussion

Area Instructional Focus & Professional Development

8:30am CDT

E-Rate Program Under Attack LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Waterway 6

As the political climate changes, many federal programs like E-Rate could experience significant impacts. Almost every school district in the country depends on this funding. What happens if the money disappears? We will explore the history of the E-Rate program and learn strategies on how schools can future proof their technology plans.

Speakers

Conley Isom

Lead E-Rate Specialist, Region 12 Education Service Center

I am a Lead E-Rate Specialist with ESC Region 12 E-Rate Consulting and a certified member of the E-Rate Management Professionals Association. Our organization assists over 280 school districts in Texas with E-Rate funding. We are customer driven consultants who strive to build relationships... Read More →

Tyler Rains

E-Rate Specialist

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Waterway 6

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

8:30am CDT

Good, Better, Best - Journey to Cybersecurity Maturity LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Waterway 7

In the education sector, cybersecurity is a critical concern for protecting student data and maintaining operations. The "Good, Better, Best" (GBB) approach offers a tiered framework for K–12 institutions to build sustainable cybersecurity programs.

Good: Establishes foundational tools and processes to protect against basic threats.
Better: Introduces more mature and robust security solutions, including automation and broader coverage.
Best: Achieves advanced, proactive, and deeply integrated security capabilities.
The GBB approach helps schools assess their current state, set realistic goals, and make incremental improvements. The focus is on progress over perfection, building resilient systems over time.

Speakers

Charles Franklin

Assistant Superintendent, Technology Services and Information Systems, Cypress Fairbanks ISD

Charles E Franklin CETL, MBA, CISSP, PMPI am an IT Professional with over 25 years of IT experience. I have had the honor of engaging in transformational leadership at several organizations. I have led over 120 employees and projects impacting over 400,000 end users.My diverse background... Read More →

Oscar Gonzalez

Manager, Cybersecurity, Cypress Fairbanks ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Waterway 7

Breakout

Area Data Security and Management

8:30am CDT

Unlocking Innovation: How Access Control Secures Your Legacy LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Waterway 8

Physical security is the foundation of every innovative learning environment. In this session, we’ll explore how modern access control systems go beyond doors and keys to support district-wide innovation, safety, and scalability. Learn how smart access decisions today can protect your schools, enhance operational efficiency, and future-proof your campuses—ensuring the legacy you build is one of both innovation and trust.

Speakers

Nick Baird

Director of Networks and Infrastructure, Lubbock-Cooper ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Waterway 8

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

8:30am CDT

Using IMS to Drive Informed Cost Reductions LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Waterway 3

Have you ever asked your users if they use a technology asset and get a response of yes? Even though you question it? So did we. In order to make better decisions about what technology needs to be replaced, you need to have data that can provide insights into actual device usage. Learn how LISD uses IMS data to establish hardware standards and replacement decisions. Insights will be shared on new device standards and cost reduction efforts.

Speakers

Bryon Kolbeck

Chief Technology Officer, Lewisville ISD

David Koonce

Director of Technical Information, Lewisville ISD

David Koonce is a CETL certified technology leader that has served in Texas public schools for almost 20 years. He is currently the Director of Technical Information Services for Lewisville ISD, which successfully earned the Trusted Learning Environment Seal in 2016 (and renewed that... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Waterway 3

Breakout

Area Business Management

10:00am CDT

Ctrl+Alt+Delete: Rebooting IT Support in Our District LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Waterway 6

Managing technology across a modern school district is no small task and our legacy IT Service Management and Asset systems weren't cutting it. Join us as we walk through our district’s journey to identify, implement, and begin adopting a new ITSM and ITAM platform. We’ll explore the challenges we faced with our old system, the discovery process for finding a better fit, and the real-world lessons learned through implementation. With over six months of data and experience in our new platform, we’ll share early wins, lingering hurdles, and what’s next on our roadmap. Whether you're considering a similar upgrade or already in the middle of one, you’ll leave with practical insights and a clearer picture of what transformation looks like in the K-12 IT world.

Speakers

Dr. Leslie Garakani

Executive Director of Technology Services, Klein ISD

Chad Greene

Director of Technology Operations, Klein ISD

Glen Piper

Manager - Service Desk, Klein ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Waterway 6

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

10:00am CDT

Data Party! Celebrate Insights and Ignite Engagement! LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Waterway 2

Get ready to turn data into a celebration! In this session, we’ll explore how to analyze and share data in a way that excites educators and drives engagement with instructional technology. Discover creative strategies to highlight successes, set meaningful goals, and foster a culture where data isn’t just numbers—it’s a reason to celebrate! Walk away with practical ideas to make data fun, actionable, and impactful in your district.

Speakers

Mindy Harding

Instructional Technology Coordinator, Conroe ISD

Mindy Harding is Conroe ISD’s Instructional Technology Coordinator. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Texas A&M University, and her master’s degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Mindy has been in education for 20 years... Read More →

Katie Jackson

Instructional Technology Specialist, Conroe Independent School District

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout

Area Instructional Focus & Professional Development

10:00am CDT

Enabling Data-Driven Governance: School Board and Leadership Dashboards LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Waterway 3

A look at how Comal ISD, in partnership with DecisionEd, implemented specialty dashboards specifically for Board of Trustee and Executive Cabinet use. We will discuss the types of data presented, the process for developing the dashboards, and the process for deploying the dashboards to the Trustees and Executive Cabinet.

Speakers

Jarrett Cochran

Director of Enterprise Systems, Comal ISD

Mary Kay Gianoutsos

Analytic Architect, DecisionEd

Scott Monroe

Chief Information Officer, Comal ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Waterway 3

Breakout

Area Leadership & Vision

10:00am CDT

Seeing the Invisible: Leading Through Empowerment LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Waterway 8

Your boots-on-the ground technology workers are often your greatest resource, if you let them be! Learn how our district uses actionable strategies to establish peer-led trainings and advisory groups. We will discuss how Northside ISD empowers our frontline technology specialists and uses their invaluable insights to build a stronger, more collaborative, and efficient technology department.

Speakers

Miranda Snider

Director for Technology Training & Development., Northside ISD

I am the Director of NISD's Technology Service's Training & Development department. We oversee the campus staff that manage tech equipment & train on technology. We also create training materials/resources for District tech initiatives & provide professional development opportunities... Read More →

Blade Harmel

Assistant Director of Technology Training & Development, Northside ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Waterway 8

Breakout

Area Leadership & Vision

10:00am CDT

Stronger Together - Gen AI Shared Solutions LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Waterway 1

Join us to hear from a panel of Texas K12 leaders who are blazing a trail with their innovative and courageous approaches to system-wide Generative AI adoption. Following the TETL/GTS Gen AI Leadership Summits in 2024, several district leaders have worked to prepare their systems for the rapidly changing landscape of AI. Dr. Suzanne Newell will be joined by Jacque Fewin of Lubbock-Cooper ISD, Kelly Grigg of Deer Park ISD, Leann Kidd of Northside ISD, and Dr. Robin Stout of Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.

Speakers

Jacque Fewin, CETL

Executive Director of Technology, Lubbock-Cooper ISD

Educator since 1992. Administrator since 2008. Executive Director of Technology since 2012. I believe that success happens when I contribute to a greater cause. How I do that is by solving complex and challenging problems. Ultimately what I bring is a trusting relationship where others... Read More →

Kelly Grigg

Director of Instructional Technology, Deer Park ISD

Robin Stout

Chief Technology Officer, Carrollton-Farmers Branch

Leann Kidd

Executive Director Tech Services, Northside ISD

Suzanne Newell

Chief Education Strategist, GTS

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Waterway 1

Breakout, panel of experts

Area Leadership & Vision

10:00am CDT

The Connected Legacy: Breaking Barriers to Build What Lasts LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Waterway 7

Ever feel like your tech, curriculum, and admin teams speak different languages? You’re not alone. In this 50-minute session, we’ll uncover what really happens when departments stop working in isolation and start building together. From account provisioning and rostering to secure data practices and rock-solid infrastructure, we’ll explore how collaboration—not just tech—delivers the backbone K-12 needs.

Speakers

Matt Green

Director of Technology Services, Lubbock-Cooper ISD

As the Director of a Technology Services at Lubbock-Cooper ISD, I oversee and coordinate the integration and use of 11,000+ Apple products. I enjoy finding inefficient processes that take a lot of time and reforming them into efficient and effective workflows that benefit all stakeholders/audiences... Read More →

Nick Baird

Director of Networks and Infrastructure, Lubbock-Cooper ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Waterway 7

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

10:55am CDT

AI for School Leaders: A Strategic Approach to Implementation, Policy & Purpose LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT

Waterway 7

School leaders are being bombarded with AI tools—but how do you lead with purpose instead of panic? This session goes beyond tools to explore how to strategically implement AI with clarity and confidence. We’ll examine frameworks for policy, professional learning, and ethical integration grounded in real-world examples from forward thinking districts.

Speakers

Amy Mayer

Chief Sales Officer, friEDTech

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Waterway 7

Breakout

Area Leadership & Vision, Ethics & Policies

10:55am CDT

Let's Not Reinvent the Wheel - TETL's new Gen AI Consortium Shared Resources LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT

Waterway 1

Come explore the new TETL shared Google drive and the contributions of its Gen AI Consortium member districts and see how you can benefit from what your colleagues have already built.

Speakers

Jeremy Walker

Executive Director of Technology, Friendswood ISD

Suzanne Newell

Chief Education Strategist, GTS

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Waterway 1

Breakout

Area Leadership & Vision

10:55am CDT

Penny-Pinching Tips for Tech Budgets LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT

Waterway 8

Smaller budgets. Higher costs. Sound familiar? Come hear several tips/strategies that might help you keep that budget balanced while still meeting the educational technology needs of your district.

Speakers

Bryon Kolbeck

Chief Technology Officer, Lewisville ISD

David Koonce

Director of Technical Information, Lewisville ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Waterway 8

Breakout

Area Business Management

10:55am CDT

School Buses: More Than Just a Ride LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT

Waterway 6

Spring ISD has transformed school transportation by integrating technology for a smarter, safer experience. This innovation enhances safety, improves communication, and builds trust with families and campuses. Through a seamless partnership with contracted services, accurate data syncs with the student tracking system, allowing real-time bus and student tracking. Parents receive instant push alerts and emails, keeping everyone connected. School buses are now a vital part of a secure, connected learning journey.
Join us for the ride of your life!

Speakers

Christina Riojas

Director Transportation, Spring ISD

Kelly Gilbert

Senior Analyst, Spring ISD/Contractor

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Waterway 6

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

10:55am CDT

SDPC National Data Privacy Agreement (NDPA) Version 2 LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT

Waterway 3

An in depth comparison of the changes in the SDPC NDPA version 2 compared to version 1. We will also cover some of the changes to the SDPC NDPA registry website to streamline and enhance the NDPA v2 approval process.

Speakers

Greg Grimes

Executive Director of Enterprise Systems, Plano ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Waterway 3

Breakout

Area Data Security and Management

10:55am CDT

Strategic Planning -- By Accident LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT

Waterway 2

Planning comes in all shapes and sizes. Understanding how each of the organizational pieces fits together is essential to organizational change. Learn how one technology organization weaved together disparate projects to form a coherent plan for organizational change. Priorities emerged from the day-to-day work of the department, and on-going reflection led to the development of a meaningful approach to strategic technology planning.

Speakers

Jarod Lambert

Director, Information Systems, Conroe ISD

Mindy Harding

Instructional Technology Coordinator, Conroe ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

1:00pm CDT

From Devices to Dollars: The Importance of Tracking Assets in Schools LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Waterway 6

With the increasing integration of technology in education, managing assets efficiently is more important than ever. We'll discuss how effective asset tracking can reduce losses, enhance accountability, and optimize resource allocation, ultimately impacting school budgets and educational outcomes.

Speakers

Jillian Pratt

Director of Digital Learning & Library Services, Comal ISD

Courtney White

National District Relationships Manager, IncidentIQ

Former middle school educator and coach, ELA department coordinator, and girls' athletic coordinator. Passionate about helping districts all over the country improve day-to-day operations; loves to cook and entertain and travels frequently. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Incident IQ is... Read More →

Scott Monroe

Chief Information Officer, Comal ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Waterway 6

Breakout, Interactive Discussion

Area Strategic Plannning

1:00pm CDT

From Paper to Power: Automating K-12 Workflows LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Waterway 1

This session will explore Cypress-Fairbanks ISD's journey to create a paperless environment through a multi-phase Enterprise Document Management project. We will cover strategic planning, implementation, and key lessons learned, including how repeated Business Process Automation (BPA) failures led to the development of an automation that revitalized the project. This shift helped stakeholders better understand their roles, improving contributions and success. Attendees will gain practical insights and strategies for their own digital automation initiatives.

Speakers

Jennifer Grimm

Director of Information Services and Applications, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Shelly Sayles

EDM Project Manager, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Waterway 1

Breakout

Area Business Management

1:00pm CDT

Leveraging the Power of Professional Learning LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Waterway 2

Learn how Deer Park ISD has harnessed the power of Apple Professional Learning to enhance technology integration into teaching and learning. Through initiatives like the 1:1 Apple iPad Integration Workshop, Executive Leadership Coaching, Apple Learning Coach, and On-Site Coaching, Deer Park ISD empowers educators with the expertise to seamlessly embed best practices to help build a culture of innovation on every campus.

Speakers

Kelly Grigg

Director of Instructional Technology, Deer Park ISD

Dr. Kari Murphy

Chief Technology Officer, Deer Park ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout

Area Instructional Focus & Professional Development

1:00pm CDT

Make Your CTE Program Shine Bright LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Waterway 8

Is your CTE program stuck in the “every student has to go to college to be successful” mindset? Have you looked at your local labor market data? Students today can take CTE classes and earn industry-based certifications, IBC’s, and graduate both career & college-ready. That’s right! Let’s get them career-ready first so they can start their high-wage, high-demand career right out of high school. Many employers will even pay for their continuing education. In this workshop, we will discuss building strong partnerships with the community and you will gain an understanding of how CTE Programs of Study are now an important part of the A-F Accountability System.

Speakers

Suzi Mitchell

CTE Consultant, TETL

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Waterway 8

Breakout

Area Instructional Focus & Professional Development

1:00pm CDT

Navigating High-Stakes Dialogue in K-12 Education LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Waterway 7

In the ever-evolving world of educational technology, school district leaders must master the art of high-stakes communication. This session, inspired by Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, empowers technology leaders to approach difficult conversations with confidence, clarity, and empathy. Whether you're addressing misalignment with administrators, negotiating with vendors, or managing conflict within your team, you'll learn practical strategies to stay focused on results, foster collaboration, and maintain strong relationships under pressure. Join us to build the communication skills that drive positive outcomes and strengthen your leadership impact in public education.

Speakers

Cara Carter

CTO, Northwest ISD

Robin Stout

Chief Technology Officer, Carrollton-Farmers Branch

Jeremy Walker

Executive Director of Technology, Friendswood ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Waterway 7

Breakout

Area Leadership & Vision

1:00pm CDT

When Your Cybersecurity Assessment Goes Up in Flames: What’s Next? LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Waterway 3

Learn how we uncovered vulnerabilities, leveraged resources, and implemented strategies to strengthen our cybersecurity posture. Discover tools and best practices to bridge gaps, enhance defenses, and ensure resilience. Ideal for anyone looking to turn weaknesses into opportunities and bolster their organization’s security foundation.lea

Speakers

Amanda Lanicek

CTO, Springtown ISD

Amanda serves as the Chief Technology Officer in Springtown ISD.

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Waterway 3

Breakout

Area Leadership & Vision

2:30pm CDT

Cybersecurity Technology Optimization LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

Waterway 6

A discussion to explore strategies for optimizing cybersecurity toolsets in a landscape of over 3,000 vendors. Most organizations use dozens of cybersecurity tools, creating complexity, confusion, and inefficiencies. Learn how to consolidate core security controls, enhance data visibility, and align tools with organizational needs like AI adoption. Discover practical approaches to threat modeling and collaboration to build efficient, effective security programs that maintain a cost-effective and robust security posture while streamlining operations.

Speakers

Steve Barnwell

Director of Technology, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD

Dr. Michael Saylor

CEO, Blackswan Cybersecurity

Mike is an Executive Leader in the Technology Advisory and Risk practice at Black Swan Cyber Security, LLC. Mike has over 29 years of experience in cybersecurity, information technology (IT) operations, audit & risk management, and incident response and investigations. Mike is a respected... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Waterway 6

Breakout

Area Information Technology

2:30pm CDT

Empowering the Next Generation of Explorers: Integrating NASA STEM Kits into the Classroom LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

Waterway 7

Explore the critical need for scalable, technology-integrated solutions in K-12 STEM education and discover how NASA's innovative resources can equip schools to meet this challenge. Imagine equipping your district with resources like NASA STEM Kits, the High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program, and the HAS Middle School Mathematics Course. These aren't just tools for fostering STEM learning, digital fluency, and career readiness; they provide a framework for systemic change and instructional leadership. These initiatives offer hands-on experiences such as Python programming for rocket launches and environmental sensor analysis, alongside opportunities for students to engage with NASA experts and tackle real-world mission challenges. Beyond enriching individual classrooms, we'll focus on how these resources align with TEKS and NGSS standards, promote deeper engagement with computational thinking, and empower you, technology leaders, to drive the adoption of future-ready STEM education across your districts.

Speakers

Leslie Woodard

Education Specialist, NASA Office of STEM Engagement

As the lead for NASA Johnson Space Center's STEM Engagement Partnerships, I develop and implement innovative, technology-rich STEM Kits that bring NASA’s missions and engineering challenges directly into classrooms. My work focuses on creating hands-on, standards-aligned resources... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Waterway 7

Breakout

Area Instructional Focus & Professional Development

2:30pm CDT

New District Strategic Plan? No Problem. Instructional Technology Is Ready! LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

Waterway 1

Many of us are no stranger to a change in vision, mission, and goals. Richardson ISD implemented a new North Star Goal, Strategic Plan, and Learning Framework within the last two years. Join us to learn how Instructional Technology played a pivotal role in the process and seamlessly aligned their work to support the new initiatives. You will walk away with ideas to boost your own role in your district’s current or future focus.

Speakers

Morgan Cave

Director of Instructional Technology, Richardson ISD

A public educator since 2005, I spent 12 years as a classroom teacher before becoming a K-12 Instructional Technology Specialist focusing on supporting authentic and engaging learning in a 1:1 environment in 2017. In January 2022, I moved into the role of Director of Instructional... Read More →

Robin Gunter

Executive Director of Instructional Technology, Richardson ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Waterway 1

Breakout

Area Instructional Focus & Professional Development

2:30pm CDT

The IMPACT Initiative: Building a Connected Tech Services Team LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

Waterway 2

To navigate evolving needs, Northside ISD's 'IMPACT Initiative' leverages manager and director leadership. Explore how Tech Services is building a stronger team, fostering collaboration, and enhancing service to both internal employees and campus customers through strategic challenge statements and unified communication.

Speakers

Leann Kidd

Executive Director Tech Services, Northside ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout

Area Leadership & Vision

3:25pm CDT

From Firewalls to Frameworks Our Cybersecurity Evolution LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT

Waterway 2

Presentation to share the journey of building our cybersecurity program from the ground up. Explores how we transitioned from basic controls to a mature strategic security program aligned with compliance frameworks. Highlights include team building and development, milestones, challenges, and strategies driving our security posture forward.

Speakers

Aaron Thalman

Technology Services, IDEA Public Schools

Thomas Anderson

Managing Director of Information Technology, IDEA Public Schools

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT
Waterway 2

Breakout

Area Information Technology

3:25pm CDT

Learning & Growing after a Technology Audit LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT

Waterway 3

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, ‘An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.’ RISD’s Technology Department went through an audit in 2020 and again in 2025. This included an in-depth look at:
*Alignment with district goals
*Infrastructure & Systems
*Digital Learning
*Governance & Decision Making
*Community & Stakeholder Engagement
We will share the Top 10 Lessons Learned and how adjustments are being made to better support the district’s strategic plan, enable current best practices, and plan for the future of the department.

Speakers

Henry Hall

CTO, Richardson ISD

Robin Gunter

Executive Director of Instructional Technology, Richardson ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT
Waterway 3

Breakout

Area Strategic Planning

3:25pm CDT

Never Waste a Crisis: Leveraging Barriers that lead to Opportunities LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT

Waterway 7

Speakers

Angel Vales

Assistant Superintendent Technology, Austin ISD

Dr. Angel Vales currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Technology at Austin ISD. With over 15 years of experience in public education, Dr. Vales has served in two of the biggest school districts in Texas, Dallas and Austin, in a variety of roles and departments including... Read More →

Oscar Rodriguez

CTO, Austin ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT
Waterway 7

Breakout

Area Leadership & Vision

3:25pm CDT

SCOPE Unlocked: Navigating HB 18 for Digital Learning Success LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT

Waterway 1

This presentation will provide an overview of how Digital Review is done in each of the represented ISDs and highlight how school districts are implementing the SCOPE Act. Technology leadership from Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Lubbock-Cooper ISD, and Northside ISD will share examples of their ongoing mission to ensure student digital safety—covering best practices, challenges, and successes.

Speakers

Jacque Fewin, CETL

Executive Director of Technology, Lubbock-Cooper ISD

Leann Kidd

Executive Director Tech Services, Northside ISD

Jennifer Grimm

Director of Information Services and Applications, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT
Waterway 1

Breakout

Area Ethics & Policies

3:25pm CDT

Unlocking the Power of Your Data and Empowering Educators LIMITED

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT

Waterway 6

We create pathways to useful data that can drive decisions on campuses and in classrooms. The Texas Education Exchange is a data solution designed by Regional Education Centers that delivers interoperable information to districts across the state. We offer access to applications that harness data in new and powerful ways, removing barriers and giving you data at your fingertips. We put data tools into the hands of educators to make a difference in student outcomes.

Speakers

Jennifer Duncan

Communications Specialist II, Region 4 ESC/Texas Education Exchange

Katie Favara

Coordinator of Technical Services, Region 4 ESC/Texas Education Exchange

Wednesday June 25, 2025 3:25pm - 4:15pm CDT
Waterway 6

Breakout

Area Information Technology