The world of educational technology is moving fast—but not always smoothly. From clunky software integrations to questions about onboarding and support for their team, school districts are facing real challenges when trying to make ed tech work well for everyone. In this session, we’ll look at three of the biggest roadblocks: platform overload, time restraints, and working within a budget. Session attendees will hear practical examples and lessons learned from the field, and leave with a simple process for building implementation plans that work. Whether you're choosing new tools or just trying to make what you have work better, you'll leave this session with actionable steps to help you and your teams succeed. The world of educational technology is moving fast—but not always smoothly. From clunky software integrations to questions about onboarding and support for their team, school districts are facing real challenges when trying to make ed tech work well for everyone. In this session, we’ll look at three of the biggest roadblocks: platform overload, time restraints, and working within a budget. Session attendees will hear practical examples and lessons learned from the field, and leave with a simple process for building implementation plans that work. Whether you're choosing new tools or just trying to make what you have work better, you'll leave this session with actionable steps to help you and your teams succeed.
Tuesday June 24, 2025 8:15am - 8:45am CDT Waterway 3
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.
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.
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
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.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, K–12 institutions face mounting challenges in protecting their digital environments. This session explores the most critical blind spots —while diving into smart security operations, risk-based strategies, and the hacker’s perspective. Learn how to integrate AI into your security toolset, and prepare for real-world incidents with confidence. It’s time to rethink how we secure our schools—before the next breach hits.
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.
Discover our journey in scaling ClassDojo from individual classrooms to a district-wide platform. Learn how we've utilized its features to align with our educational goals, promote positive behavior, and create a cohesive community among students, parents, and educators.
Tuesday June 24, 2025 3:45pm - 4:15pm 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.
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 →
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
Wendy Jones-CDW What are the top 5 ways to move beyond using AI for prompting? Join our CDW team in exploring how AI can transform your district in ways to be more effective, productive, and safe in today's changing ecosystem! Thank you!
Wednesday June 25, 2025 9:25am - 9:55am 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.
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.
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
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.
