Saturday Mainstage
Join us for a transformative morning session featuring Salome Thomas-EL, Ed.D., aka Principal EL, Jeremy S. Owoh, Ed.D., President-Elect of the ASCD and ISTE Board of Directors, and a panel of change-making leaders.
Principal EL's talk "Choosing to Stay in Challenging Times: School Leaders Bringing Joy to the Job" shares how we can positively change our school cultures by empowering educators and school leaders to focus on the protective processes that build resilience in every child. He unpacks this vision for change with the 4Cs of School Success: Being Crazy about students; Curious about their lives outside of school; Consistent as adults in their lives; and driven to foster a Culture that’s grounded in joy, learning, and resilience. Join this keynote session to better understand the power of adult-child relationships in schools and celebrate the impact we can make when we leverage our roles as learners and leaders, and choose to stay!
The panel "Transformational Learning Experiences in the Age of AI" will be introduced with a five-minute talk from our moderator, Tara Nattrass, Ed.D., the Managing Director of Innovation Strategy at ASCD + ISTE. As the pace of AI innovation accelerates, educational leaders must become fluent in understanding how these technologies can support them in fostering learning, creativity, and student success. In this fireside chat, we'll explore how AI is already reshaping teaching and learning. Our panel of visionary leaders will share real-world examples, discussing both the opportunities and considerations that come with integrating AI into education. We'll also explore the crucial role of leadership in navigating this technological evolution, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to equity, student agency, and the whole child.
,
Mainstage
Presented by
Vanderbilt University Professor and Learning Innovation Incubator Director
Alyssa Wise, Ph.D., is a professor of technology and education in Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, and the director of LIVE, Vanderbilt’s ground-breaking learning innovation incubator. Her research combines the tools of data science, theories of learning sciences, and practices of human-centered design to build and study the use of learning analytics and artificial intelligence systems to promote equitable and effective learning. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings in leading learning sciences and technology venues, and has developed 15 educational technology and media products to advance student learning.
Coordinator of Instructional Technology
Hamilton County Schools
Greg Bagby is the coordinator of instructional technology for the Hamilton County Schools in Tennessee. He speaks nationally on many topics, including the meaningful adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools and teacher recruitment and retention. In his 30 years in education, Bagby has served as a classroom teacher, building administrator, adjunct professor, and professional learning specialist. He was named one of District Administration Magazine’s Top 100 influencers in Education for 2024, and served on the 2024 National EdTech Plan Technical Working Group.
President-Elect, ASCD + ISTE Board of Directors
Jeremy S. Owoh, Ed.D., is the superintendent of the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and president-elect of the ASCD + ISTE Board of Directors. He began his education career as a high school English teacher and has served as a dean; assistant principal; principal; assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and desegregation; and assistant commissioner of educator effectiveness and licensure. Owoh has also served as an adjunct instructor/professor for several colleges, including the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, as well as an affiliate faculty member at Arkansas Tech University at Russellville. He continues to teach students through the newly formed Master of Education in Educational Leadership at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the Education Doctoral Program at Southern Arkansas University, where he shares current concepts and strategies to assist students as they further their educational careers.
Michael Matsuda is the superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) in California. With his leadership, AUHSD built a new educational model incorporating “reverse engineered” career pathways in partnership with higher education, and private and nonprofit sectors.
Principal
Thomas Edison Charter School
ASCD & ISTE Author
Salome Thomas-EL, Ed.D., is a K-8 principal in Wilmington, Delaware. Also a veteran teacher, EL earned national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School in Philadelphia where his students went on to win worldwide recognition as eight-time U.S. Chess Champions. Principal EL is also the author of the bestselling books I Choose to Stay, which has been optioned by Disney Films, and The Immortality of Influence, which stresses the importance of leadership, mentoring, parenting, and service to others. He’s also the co-author of three new books: Passionate Leadership, Building a Winning Team, and Retention for a Change. EL is a frequent presenter for groups nationwide, and has appeared on C-SPAN, CNN, and NPR Radio. He studied abroad at Cambridge and the University of London, as well as at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He holds a doctorate in education leadership from Wilmington University in Delaware. El received the Marcus A. Foster Award for outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished Martin Luther King Jr. Award. Reader’s Digest recognized Principal EL as an “Inspiring American Icon.” He was recently featured on “Good Morning America” and has appeared on the Oprah Radio Network.
Managing Director, Innovation Strategy
ASCD + ISTE
Tara Nattrass, Ed.D., is the managing director of innovation strategy at ISTE+ASCD, where she collaborates with educators on transformational learning experiences, innovative programs and learning models, and emerging technologies. She also supports educators in navigating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), including serving on Al task forces and the steering committee of Teach Al. Prior to joining the ISTE + ASCD team, Nattrass served as a chief education innovation strategist at Dell Technologies, consulting with educational leaders across districts and states and building meaningful partnerships with national agencies and organizations. She also spent over 20 years serving in school districts in a variety of teaching and leadership roles, including as an assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for Arlington Public Schools in Virginia, and as a part-time lecturer for undergraduate and graduate students. She earned a doctorate in K-12 policy and leadership from Vanderbilt University.
Digital Teaching & Learning Consultant
NC Department of Public Instruction
Vera Cubero is the emerging technologies consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). In this role, she leads North Carolina’s AI implementation, and was instrumental in publishing the state’s AI guidelines that provide comprehensive guidance for education leaders. She also led the inaugural North Carolina AI collaboratives, and was project manager for North Carolina’s AI summits, which helped guide district leaders and steering committees in creating AI guidelines and responsibly implementing AI. This year, she’s leading the first day of AI sessions at the annual NCDPI AIM Conference, and is project manager for the North Carolina Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence Summits for students. Cubero has a wide range of experience in K-12 education at the school, district, and state levels, and is passionate about responsible AI implementation and promoting AI literacy for students and staff.
,
Mainstage