IETA 2025: Full Schedule

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8:30am MST

Streamline Reporting, Attendance, and Alerts in PowerSchool using MBA

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

Come see how MBA Plugins for PowerSchool will empower your school. MBA is a PowerSchool partner providing robust plugins to make easy reporting with ability to email or archive report cards, transcripts, letters, or other reports with digital signature option on the Parent/Student portal. Identify Attendance issues with ease and address pro-actively. Set Alerts for Students that address security, health, grades, sports, behaviors, and much more. Enhance behavior tracking with teacher entry, graphs and letters. This is a must see session with tools that are certain to enhance your PowerSchool experience.

Speakers

Chip Kling

MBA

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
410C Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Intermediate

8:30am MST

Going One Louder with Data: Maximizing District Efficiency Through K-12 Data Analytics and AI!

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

120A

Want to amplify all your data?
Let's discuss how to amplify your district's data so you can drive unprecedented student success and school improvement and increase stakeholder access to data when it is needed most.

What you are hearing every day regarding data:
• Convert assessment data into actionable classroom strategies
• Track and analyze student growth measures effectively
• Identify early warning indicators for academic intervention
• Measure and improve student engagement metrics
• Analyze attendance patterns and intervention effectiveness
• Link behavioral data to academic performance
What you don't hear as much:
• Give access to more stakeholders in an easy to find and digestible
• Access all the undiscovered or lost data in things like PDFs, Websites, Training Materials
• Talk to your data, or simply ask it a question in a question bar
• Make your employees experience with finding answers easier and more convenient
• Simply make sure your customer service is improved with using technology never before accessible to everyone
• Create a solution that is compatible with YOUR unique district

Practical Applications
• Design effective Response to Intervention (RTI) systems
• Track progress toward school improvement goals
• Monitor subgroup performance for equity initiatives
• Analyze curriculum effectiveness
• Measure social-emotional learning outcomes
• Support data-informed parent communications
• Improve customer (your stakeholders) access to data
Join us to discover how turning your educational analytics up to 11 can make your data loud and proud! Learn to harness the power of data to support every student's success.

Speakers

Tracy McCown

PowerSchool

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
120A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Advanced

8:30am MST

Minimize Your Risks from Cyber Attacks with Cisco

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

110D

Join us as we review some common cybersecurity attacks within K-12 networks, then explain and demonstrate tools available to identify, investigate and remediate them.

Speakers

Gary Halleen

Security Solutions Engineer, Cisco Systems, Inc.

John Frame

Systems Architect, Cisco Systems, Inc.

John Frame is a Systems Architect for Cisco, serving local Idaho public sector customers and partners for the past 6 years. As a Senior Systems Engineer prior to joining Cisco, John spearheaded critical IT infrastructure projects across the Western US for customers with several leading... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
110D Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Beginner

8:30am MST

Rethink your Network with Optical LAN: Leveraging Fiber Optics

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

120C

Join us for a 90-minute exploration of how Optical LAN is reshaping the landscape of educational networks. We'll delve into the key advantages of OLAN, including scalability, security, cost-efficiency, and sustainability. Discover how OLAN enables schools to meet the demands of today's digital classrooms while future-proofing their network infrastructure.

Throughout this session, we'll showcase real-world case studies, highlighting successful implementations in educational institutions. We'll also discuss the practical considerations, best practices, and potential challenges associated with transitioning to Optical LAN.

Whether you're an IT professional, administrator, or educator, this presentation offers invaluable insights into the transformative potential of Optical LAN for schools. Join us to unlock the power of cutting-edge technology that paves the way for a more connected and innovative learning environment.

Speakers

Austin Howell

General Sales Manager, System Tech Inc.

Austin started in the telecommunications industry in 2010 installing large retrofit structured cabling E-rate projects. His ambition, leadership, dedication and customer service has bolstered System Tech’s offerings. Austin is very keen on cutting edge technologies and his perception... Read More →

Dave Lawes

President, System Tech Inc.

Dave has been an integral member of the System Tech team since 2011, bringing with him over 16 years of invaluable expertise in the field of systems integration and low voltage technology. His unique journey includes eight years of dedicated service in the U.S. Army, providing him... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
120C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, All levels

8:30am MST

Securing K-12 Devices with Application Whitelisting: An Introduction to AaronLocker

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

410A

In today’s K-12 environment, securing student and staff devices is paramount as cybersecurity threats evolve. Join us for an in-depth session on AaronLocker, an open-source, PowerShell-based solution that makes Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) more manageable and effective for K-12 environments. AaronLocker can help district IT teams implement application whitelisting, which is one of the most powerful ways to prevent malware, unauthorized applications, and other cybersecurity threats. This session will cover the basics of AaronLocker, how it enhances security for K-12 devices, and practical steps for implementation.

Speakers

Loren Cornell

System Engineer, West Ada School District

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
410A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Advanced

8:30am MST

Cybersecurity CTE Teaching Endorsement and Risk Assessment

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

440

This is a presentation for teachers and administrators. In this presentation, we will share how to earn the Career Technical Education (CTE) Cybersecurity Teaching Endorsement. We will also share what free and open source resources you can use to build your CTE Cybersecurity high school program. Supported by the Cyber Operations and Resilience degree program at Boise State University, we conduct risk assessments for school districts to improve cybersecurity posture. Learn how we can help you with your cybersecurity risk assessment.

Speakers

Sin Ming Loo

Professor/Director, Boise State University

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
440 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

8:30am MST

Discover Downtown Boise! An Inquiry Adventure Featuring the City, a Smartphone & YOU!

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

430A

Discover Boise on this jam-packed immersive inquiry as we tour near the Convention Center and learn about the history & the communities that shape the city. Using curiosity as a catalyst, we’ll ignite creativity with Google Photos, leverage digital tours, publish to curate learning & provide resources to use with students.

The Participants will…
-Gain a better understanding of Boise's history and the cultural diversity that influences the city's identity.
-Develop the ability to use curiosity as a driving force for inquiry and creativity.
-Acquire skills to enhance and edit photos using Google Photos, transforming them into compelling visual narratives.
-Learn how to integrate digital tours into educational settings effectively.
-Be equipped with practical strategies and resources to bring these experiences and tools into their classrooms, promoting a deeper connection between students and historical and cultural contexts
-Collect images, articles, videos, and podcasts to layer multimedia that differentiates for learners, builds background knowledge, and sparks curiosity.
-Create a mini-inquiry for students to introduce and explore a new content area.
-Leverage a handful of easy-to-use tools that invite students to create and scale for authentic audiences.

Speakers

Darren Hudgins

Darren Hudgins is the founder and the heart and soul behind Think Do Thrive, an education consulting venture dedicated to nurturing educators and fostering vibrant learning communities. With over 20 years of experience in education, Darren's passion for empowering others shines through... Read More →

Nancy Mangum

Co-Founder, Leading EDge Learn

Nancy Mangum is an experienced educator, author, and co-founder of Leading EDge Learning. Passionate about enhancing educational experiences for all students, she specializes in designing professional learning for teachers, coaches and administrators and collaborating closely with... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

8:30am MST

Get Hands-On with ‘Coding in Minecraft’

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

410B

Speakers

Melanie Drown

Melanie Drown is a Product Specialist for ‘Coding in Minecraft’ and has 11 years of experience as both an educator and a trainer. She is a Minecraft Certified trainer and has trained hundreds of teachers on game-based learning through Minecraft Education. As a former STEM and... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
410B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

8:30am MST

Hands-on learning to implement drone curriculum into secondary STEM disciplines

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

110B

The hands-on workshop will run 3 hours for K-12 educators interested in implementing similar STEM activities into their teaching curriculum. Each will pick up a drone kit to build their small educational drone from scratch. The workshop organizer will provide the essential parts and components for coding exercises. The K-12 STEM educators will develop their own drone from scratch and a step-by-step building instruction will be provided by the instructor. The electronic version of the manual will also be provided, and technical issues/problems will be solved by interacting with the instructor at the IETA venue. The basic coding exercise using Arduino IDE and MIT Scratch will take place to control motors, adjust power to lift a drone from the ground, and discuss the fine-tuning methods for a safe flight. Understanding the instructor's federal regulations and safety guidelines is another avenue for all participants to fly their own drones safely and legally in the public domain. Each participant must bring their own laptop computer (preferably, Windows OS) equipped with a USB port. The workshop tuition is FREE for on-site registered personnel (Max 20 people) while an additional cost will be charged if the attendees want to keep their drones after workshop.

Speakers

Jae Ryu

Professor, University of Idaho

Dr. Jae Ryu is a Professor at the University of Idaho. His research interest is to advance environmental monitoring using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS, a.k.a drone). Dr. Ryu is currently hosting Idaho/Interstate Drone League (iDrone) to engage students through an immerse experimental... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
110B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

8:30am MST

Promoting Cybersecurity Awareness for Students

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

430B

Learn how to use CYBER.ORG’s grant-funded range to bring cybersecurity into classrooms. Paired with CYBER.ORG’s no-cost curricula, K-12 US educators can gain access to CYBER.ORG’s Range to help teach hands-on cybersecurity and networking lessons. Observe how cyber-attacks work and how professionals use cyber tools through a preview of labs while content developers share their knowledge of guidelines, best approaches, and experiences of the range in middle and high school classrooms. We encourage teachers to sign up for our no-cost curricula access(https://cyber.org/form/curricula-sign-up) and Range access (https://apps.cyber.org/apply) prior to the professional development session.

Speakers

Charlene Cooper

Director of Curriculum, CYBER.ORG

Charlene Cooper is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of Early Adolescent Science with over 20 years of experience as a public school educator. She has a masters degree in Educational Leadership and a Cyber Education Graduate Certificate from Louisiana Tech. Charlene taught... Read More →

Jeff Ramsey

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
430B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

8:30am MST

Robot Simulator...NO Robots needed.

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

420A

Botball Virtual Simulator: Bringing Robotics to Life in the Classroom
Session Description:
The Botball Virtual Simulator, developed by the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics (KIPR), is a powerful educational tool that empowers educators to bring the exciting world of robotics into their classrooms. In this comprehensive session, attendees will explore the capabilities of the Botball Virtual Simulator and discover how to leverage this engaging platform to inspire students and foster their passion for STEM learning.
Key Topics Covered:

Navigating the user-friendly Botball Virtual Simulator interface and understanding its core functionalities
Designing and programming virtual robots to navigate complex environments, complete challenges, and showcase their autonomous capabilities
Integrating the Botball Virtual Simulator into lesson plans to reinforce key concepts in computer science, engineering, and problem-solving
Leveraging the simulator's extensive library of pre-built robot models and customization options to encourage creativity and critical thinking
Exploring the Botball Virtual Simulator's assessment and reporting features to track student progress and measure learning outcomes

Anticipated Outcomes:
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

Confidently utilize the Botball Virtual Simulator to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences for their students
Develop effective strategies for incorporating the simulator into their curriculum to support STEM education and foster 21st-century skills
Understand how to leverage the Botball Virtual Simulator's assessment tools to monitor student learning and optimize their instructional approaches
Feel empowered to introduce the Botball Virtual Simulator to their schools and classrooms, leading to increased student engagement, improved problem-solving abilities, and a deeper appreciation for the field of robotics

This session is designed for educators of all levels, from classroom teachers to STEM coordinators and school administrators, who are passionate about integrating cutting-edge technology into their teaching practices to inspire the next generation of innovators.

Speakers

Penni Aufderheide Keck

Jerome School District

Penni Aufderheide Keck is a highly experienced educator with 28 years of teaching under her belt. She is currently teaching at Jerome High School. She specializes in teaching robotics and technology, as well as CTE and Music. Her passion for education and her dedication to her students... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
420A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

8:30am MST

These Bots Go to 11: Using Micro-bits and Hummingbird Robotics to up your CS game in the classroom

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

110C

In this session, educators will explore the fundamentals of using Micro-bits and Hummingbird Robotics Kits. These tools are accessible to learners of all ages, from elementary school through the collegiate level, and serve as excellent resources for introducing computer science concepts to students of varying abilities. During the session, participants will engage hands-on with Micro-bits to learn the basics of the equipment. Educators will leave with practical examples and resources they can immediately implement in their classrooms. This workshop is designed for educators who are new to, or have some experience with, Micro-bits and Hummingbird Robotics Kits.

Speakers

Myriah Leisher

3-5 Technology teacher and 6-8 STEM Lab teacher, William Thomas Middle School

Myriah Leisher has worked in schools for 11 years as a Media Specialist Librarian and Technology/STEM teacher in Nebraska and Idaho. Her work in Nebraska included implementing STEM/Technology Education in Juvenile Detention Centers and the pre-K-12 schools she worked in. For the last... Read More →

Rebecca Porter

South Fremont Jr. High School

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
110C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

8:30am MST

Want to receive Microsoft or Adobe Certifications to validate your students' skills along with online curriculum to use in your class?

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST

110A

Join us to learn about the Idaho Statewide Certification programs that provide Microsoft and Adobe certifications, offered from Certiport, and online curriculum for your classes. These benefits are provided at no cost to you or your school. We will discuss the program, how to join, Microsoft Office Specialist certifications, Adobe Certified Professional Certifications and BrainBuffet curriculum provided to you through the program.

Speakers

Jason Majors

Director of Global Deployment, Certiport

Jason Majors is the Director of Global Deployment for Certiport. He leads the Certiport Deployment team, who works with large accounts to ensure teacher and student success with certification programs. He and his team provide guidance to teachers on the entire certification process... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am MST
110A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

10:15am MST

Esports 201: Taking Your High School Program to the Next Level

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST

430A

You've launched your high school esports program—now what? Join us for an engaging "Esports 201" session designed for educators, coaches, and administrators ready to elevate their esports initiatives. This session will dive deeper into advanced strategies, best practices, and innovative ideas to enhance your program's impact and sustainability.

Key topics will include:

Enhancing Engagement: Discover new ways to involve more students, including recruitment strategies, community events, and student-led initiatives.

Competitive Growth: Learn how to structure your teams for success, explore opportunities for regional and national competitions, and implement effective training practices.

Curriculum Integration: Delve into advanced curriculum options that incorporate esports principles, including critical thinking, teamwork, and digital literacy.

Building Partnerships: Explore how to establish valuable partnerships with local businesses, colleges, and esports organizations to provide resources and opportunities for your students.

Measuring Success: Develop methods to assess the impact of your program, including student engagement metrics and academic performance indicators.

Join us to share ideas, network with fellow educators, and leave with actionable strategies to elevate your high school esports program. Together, we can transform the esports landscape in education and create enriching experiences for our students!

Speakers

Dalton Hawkins

Idaho Esports Association

Nate Sarrazolla

Director, Idaho Esports Association

I am the Head Coach for Bishop Kelly's Esports Team and the Treasure Valley Coordinator for the Idaho Esports Organization. If you arr interested in starting a program at your school or want to know more about Idaho Esports, stop and chat!

Mitch Young

Idaho Esports Association

Gericke Kohn

Board Member, Idaho Esports Association

Gericke Kohn is an educator in the Idaho Falls School District 91; he currently teaches 7th grade English at Eagle Rock Middle School. On top of being married to, “the best woman in the world,” and raising five children with her, Kohn also splits time between running his schools... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Intermediate

10:15am MST

Scaling Your Leadership Influence: Strategies for Growth

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST

440

Are you ready to amplify your impact as a leader? Join us for an engaging session that invites participants to dive into self-reflection, exploring the dynamics of your interactions with teachers, colleagues, and fellow leaders. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, you’ll leave with practical strategies to empower the educators you support, as well as a clearer understanding of your strengths and opportunities for growth. Come ready to discover how to enhance your leadership influence and make a meaningful difference in your educational community!

Speakers

Nancy Mangum

Co-Founder, Leading EDge Learn

Darren Hudgins

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST
440 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Beginner

10:15am MST

Streamline Attendance, Reporting, Student Alerts and Behavior with MBA Plugins for PowerSchool

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST

420A

MBA is a PowerSchool Partner that has a suite of plugins to enhance your PowerSchool experience. Develop report cards, transcripts, letters, awards, and archive historically to parent portal with digital signature. Monitor attendance thresholds and pro-actively help students to achieve a culture of positive attendance. Send attendance letters electronically with digital signature seamlessly. Manage behavior with teacher entry, letters and graphs for administrative decisions. Student alerts for safety, health, sports, low grades and much more. Come see how MBA Plugins help enhance the power of PowerSchool.

Speakers

Chip Kling

MBA

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST
420A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Intermediate

10:15am MST

Audit Your Google Workspace & Microsoft 365 Security In 5 Easy Steps

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST

110C

Do you know what is going on in your district’s Google Workspace and/or Microsoft 365 domain? Are you confident!? Investigations to audit your environment don’t have to be complicated or even take very long. In this session, we will break down the top areas requiring your attention to protect your district and your community.

When was the last time you really looked into what Third Party Applications have access into your domain and what type of access they have? How quickly can you identify and eliminate VPN usage or explicit Apps that your students ARE accessing with their district accounts?

Maintaining data security is a never-ending game of cat and mouse. You must identify the multitude of files being shared outside your domain and take necessary action to ensure they don’t contain sensitive information. It’s equally important to quickly detect patterns of concerning logins that could indicate a compromised account. IT leaders need an efficient way to search for content and behavior in school-provided technology that represents real school safety concerns—as well as federal & state compliance issues.

Securing your district’s data that is accessed, stored, and shared in Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 is your responsibility. In this session, we will walk through these strategic investigations you can perform with the tools you already have. By asking yourself and your stakeholders the right questions, you can improve your cloud security and safety posture.

Speakers

David Waugh

Chief Revenue Officer, ManagedMethods

A father first and a growth leader second, David Waugh understands firsthand how cybersecurity impacts schools, students, families, and communities. With over 25 years of experience in enterprise software, he has dedicated the past several years to the cybersecurity needs of educational... Read More →

Jack Hendrickson

Account Executive, ManagedMethods

Jack has presented this presentation at a half dozen events over the past year

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST
110C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

10:15am MST

Enhancing Classroom Technology Deployment with Windows Full Flash Update (FFU)

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST

410A

As K-12 schools increasingly rely on technology to enhance learning, efficient and scalable device deployment is more important than ever. In this session, we will dive into Windows Full Flash Update (FFU), an innovative tool designed to simplify and accelerate the deployment of Windows devices in educational settings.

Attendees will learn how FFU's block-level imaging technology differs from traditional WIM-based deployments and why it is a game-changer for schools needing to deploy large numbers of devices quickly and uniformly. This session will provide practical insights on creating, customizing, and deploying FFU images to ensure devices are ready for students and teachers with minimal downtime.

We will also explore real-world examples and best practices for using FFU in K-12 environments, focusing on how to integrate FFU into existing IT processes for smooth and efficient rollouts. Whether you're responsible for managing technology in a single school or an entire district, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to optimize your device deployment strategy and support a thriving digital learning environment.

Katie Mason

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST
410B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

10:15am MST

Enhancing 6-12 Education with Cybersecurity

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST

110A

Join a CYBER.ORG curriculum specialist for an overview of our Intro to Cybersecurity course. The goal of this course is to introduce middle and high school students to basic cybersecurity concepts and inspire interest in cybersecurity careers. This course does not require any prerequisite knowledge in computing or cybersecurity for either the student or teacher.
In this session, our content experts will walk you through a variety of lessons that include unplugged activities, and cybersecurity labs using the CYBER.ORG Range. You will experience it through the eyes of a student, and we will also share tips for success! We encourage teachers to sign up for our no-cost curricula access(https://cyber.org/form/curricula-sign-up) and Range access (https://apps.cyber.org/apply) prior to the professional development session.

Speakers

Charlene Cooper

Director of Curriculum, CYBER.ORG

Jeff Ramsey

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST
110A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

10:15am MST

Magic School Ai

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST

410C

The MagicSchool AI chatbot is a powerful tool designed to support educators in their day-to-day work. In this session, we will explore how this AI-powered assistant can streamline lesson planning, content creation, and classroom management tasks. Attendees will learn how to leverage the chatbot's natural language processing capabilities to generate engaging lesson plans, customize educational resources, and access a wealth of teaching strategies and best practices.
Key Topics Covered:

Harnessing the MagicSchool AI chatbot to enhance lesson planning and content creation
Utilizing the chatbot's knowledge base to access teaching techniques, classroom management tips, and subject-specific resources
Integrating the chatbot seamlessly into your existing workflow to save time and boost productivity
Exploring the chatbot's multilingual capabilities and customization options to meet the diverse needs of your students
Anticipated Outcomes:
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

Confidently use the MagicSchool AI chatbot to streamline their daily teaching tasks
Discover innovative ways to leverage the chatbot's capabilities to create engaging, personalized learning experiences for students
Understand how the MagicSchool AI can be tailored to their specific educational context and teaching style
Feel empowered to incorporate the chatbot into their classrooms and schools, leading to increased efficiency and improved student outcomes
This session is designed for educators of all levels, from classroom teachers to instructional coaches and school administrators, who are interested in exploring the transformative potential of AI-powered educational tools.

Speakers

Penni Aufderheide Keck

Jerome School District

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST
410C Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

10:15am MST

Scratching the Surface of Coding With Kids

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST

120A

PBS KIDS ScratchJr. is a free coding app specifically designed for children in grades K-5. During this hands-on session, teachers will WATCH, PLAY, EXPLORE, CREATE & SHARE! They will take on the roles of Programmer, Background Designer, Character Designer, Sound Designer and Editor creating projects using their favorite PBS characters. Come learn to code with your favorite PBS characters, and develop curricular connections you can use in your classroom tomorrow.

Speakers

Kari Wardle

Director of Education, Idaho Public Television

Kari Wardle currently works as the Director of Education for Idaho Public Television where she leads the education department and provides training and support to teachers throughout the state. Before joining the IdahoPTV staff in 2017, she worked as an elementary school teacher for... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST
120A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

10:15am MST

Stress Less: From Frazzled to Focused

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST

110D

What is stress? How can we not only survive stress but actually use it to make our lives better?

We will analyze sources of stress, discuss approaches to defuse stressful situations, and develop stress management techniques for both teachers and students such as mindfulness, active meditation, tapping and even color theory.

I will share and demonstrate a series of eight short (3-5 minute) mindfulness lessons you can take and use with students.

Then we will learn about the role of stress in job burnout and how we can make not every day a good day, but find good in every day.

Speakers

Christine Lake

High School Science Teacher, Idaho Virtual Academy

HS science teacher for over 10 years with a current teaching assignment of Honors Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science and Computer Science Discoveries. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, a Master’s in Health Education degree both from Idaho State... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am MST
110D Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

11:45am MST

Lunch Break

Friday February 7, 2025 11:45am - 1:00pm MST

Downtown Boise

Lunch on your own.

Friday February 7, 2025 11:45am - 1:00pm MST
Downtown Boise

Lunch

1:00pm MST

Building a Culture of Data Privacy and Security in Schools

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

440

In an increasingly digital educational landscape, protecting student data is critical. This session will explore how Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA) continues to use the TrustEd Apps Management System (TAMS) Dashboard to vet applications, ensure vendors adopt privacy policies, and train teachers to self-vet and adapt resources for their students. Participants will learn how to integrate data privacy protocols within their schools, advocate for transparency in third-party applications, and empower educators to take control of the tools they use. Real-world examples from IDLA will highlight ongoing efforts to safeguard data and provide practical steps for implementing a culture of privacy and security across schools and districts.
Outcomes: Attendees will:
Learn how to leverage the TAMS Dashboard to vet educational technology resources.
Understand how to request privacy policies from vendors lacking adequate privacy safeguards.
Gain strategies for training teachers to self-vet or modify digital resources for their students’ needs.

Speakers

Ashlee Kolar

EdTech Engineer, Idaho Digital Learning Alliance

I’m Ashlee Kolar, the EdTech Engineer at IDLA. I like to think of myself as the teacher on the tech team—I know a little bit about a lot and enjoy helping anyone who needs support in implementing and troubleshooting technology so it works for them. My days are never dull as I... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
440 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Intermediate

1:00pm MST

From Novice to Expert: Leveraging Instructional Technology in an Early-Career Teacher Coaching & Mentoring Program

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

120B

Join us for an engaging session that shares one district's approach to mentoring new teachers, emphasizing the integration of instructional technology to enhance classroom practices. Designed for coaches, mentors, and administrators, this session will showcase innovative approaches to support and empower early-career educators, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the modern educational landscape.

Speakers

Amy Bowie

Heidi Baker

Instructional Technology Specialist, Pocatello/Chubbuck School Distirct #25

Janelle Arvas

Instructional Technology Specialist, Pocatello/Chubbuck School District

Carri Thomason

Elissa Novy

Instructional Coach, Pocatello Chubbuck School District 25

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
120B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership

1:00pm MST

Support for Schools with IDLA District Programs, and how Google Workspace collaboration keeps us running.

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

420A

This session will highlight how IDLA supports schools through the District Programs Regional Teams, providing training and direct support for schools using IDLA for classes. An overview of how the team collaborates through Google Workspace will be shared, with Google Docs, shared agendas and Team Chats will be demonstrated.

Speakers

Monte Woolstenhulme

Director of District Programs, IDLA

I serve as the Director of District Programs for IDLA. We support schools throughout Idaho with regional teams to provide in-person training and guidance for students using IDLA for classes ranging from elementary reading intervention (Launchpad), middle school and high school core... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
420A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Intermediate

1:00pm MST

5 Modern Challenges Facing District IT Leaders

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

410C

From generative AI to the spread of misinformation, IT leaders face increasingly complex challenges in the effort to protect student safety and digital wellbeing. Join us for a dynamic session with our partner Idaho Falls School District to explore practical solutions and empower IT leaders for success in the evolving world of EdTech. We will discuss modern challenges IT leaders face, such as generative AI, extending safety beyond the filter with monitoring and parental tools, and the balance between educational value and risk mitigation.

Speakers

Bryan Shigihara

Network Manager, Idaho Falls School District 91

Bryan is a seasoned IT professional with over 25 years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity. He is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, reflecting his dedication to professional excellence and personal growth. An Eagle Scout, Scout Leader... Read More →

Terrisa Reeves

Territory Director, Linewize

Jordan Sigmon

Linewize

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
410C Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

1:00pm MST

Google Admin Simulator

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

430B

Join us for an interactive session where you'll challenge your skills to solve district information and security concerns. In this session plan to use Google Workspace's Security and Investigation tool, configure DLP rules and review Context-aware access levels. As you move through the simulator, you'll engage with peers and other Google Workspace admins to discovery how districts create a safer digital learning environment for everyone.

Speakers

110A

What, exactly, do students need to know about Computer Science (CS)? What skills can be presented that will transfer for those who continue in CS, but more importantly, for those who continue to different careers? This talk will focus on the approach taken in BSU's CS 100 - Introduction to CS Professions, including what is being taught and why. You'll get an overview of computer science, the career paths in computer science, careers that seem like they're computer science but aren't, and what your student can expect in a computer science degree. Participants will leave with answers for students' and parents' questions about computer science, resources to help guide students as they explore their career options (no matter what field they choose), an explanation of the skills students can learn in a CS class that aren't restricted to CS, and resources for incorporating these types of activities and lessons in their own classes (whether they're CS or not!).

Speakers

Kathryn Rodgers

Boise State University

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
110A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:00pm MST

FREE technology programs offered by the Idaho Department of Education

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

110D

Learn about programs offered by the Idaho Department of Education and how to get involved. Programs offered: Adobe Express, Certification in Adobe and Microsoft, Coding in Minecraft

Speakers

Andrea Baerwald

Science and Technology Coordinator, Idaho Department of Education

Tell me about all the wonderful science and technology things you are doing in your classroom! Running into roadblocks? I want to hear about those as well.

Sydney Hansen

Idaho Department of Education

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
110D Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:00pm MST

Innovating and inventing with students!

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

110C

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, fostering innovation and invention among students is more crucial than ever. This session is designed to equip educators, mentors, and technology enthusiasts with practical strategies to inspire and guide students from beginner to intermediate levels in their journey towards becoming inventors and innovators.
Participants will explore a variety of tools and methodologies that can be seamlessly integrated into educational settings. The session will cover key topics such as cultivating a creative mindset, leveraging technology to solve real-world problems, and encouraging collaborative projects that stimulate inventive thinking.
Attendees will leave with a toolkit of actionable ideas to help students navigate the innovation process, from ideation to prototyping and beyond. Join us to unlock the potential of the next generation and empower them to shape the future through technology and creativity.

Speakers

Benjamin Davis

Cassia Joint School District

Lisa Hitt

Math and Science Teacher, Cassia Joint School District

Chrystelle Murdock

English Teacher, Cassia County School District/Oakley High School

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
110C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:00pm MST

Leadership

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

410B

How leaders leverage technology to communicate and connect with their community? How do leaders navigate the ever changing world of technology? How do leaders keep staff and students safe in a digital world? How do leaders ensure that the tools they do have are used effectively? These are just a few questions that will be explored.

Speakers

Janet Avery

Superintendent, Potlatch School District

Janet Avery has been an educator for 32+ years. She is currently Superintendent in Potlatch School District. Janet has also served as a Curriculum Director, Middle School Principal, Assistant Principal, and Secondary English Teacher. She has lived and worked in many places around... Read More →

Janet Avery

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
410B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

1:00pm MST

Panel: Leveraging Idaho STEM Action Center Resources

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

430A

Idaho educators discuss how they have leveraged the resources offered by Idaho STEM Action Center to improve their instruction and student outcomes.

Speakers

Dee Mooney

Idaho STEM Action Center

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:00pm MST

Tech Tools to Make Teaching Easier

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

110B

This session will go over a variety of easy to use websites and tech tools to help new teachers or just any teachers wanting some new tools.

Speakers

Jamie Clark

8th Grade Science/ISTA Region 5 Representative, American Falls School District #381

Jamie has been teaching science in southeast Idaho for the past 10 years. She has taught 6th and 8th grades at William Thomas Middle School in American Falls. She is currently a region representative of the Idaho Science Teaching Association. When she is not in the classroom, Jamie... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
110B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:00pm MST

Using AI Tools as an Educator

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST

410A

Copilot: Assists teachers in creating lesson plans with resources in just minutes.
Magic School: An award-winning, most used, and most loved AI platform for schools around the world. Educators use MagicSchool to help lesson plan, differentiate, write assessments, write IEPs, communicate clearly, and more.
Reading Coach: Provides personalized, engaging AI-powered reading fluency practice for all learners.
Microsoft Class Teams Assignments: Enables teachers to craft clear and concise instructions quickly.

Speakers

Joanie Arendse

Technology Integration and Instruction, Cole Valley Christian Schools

Joanie Arendse is a technology integration coach and instructor at Cole Valley Christian Schools. She has been in education 40 years. Joanie has been a Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator since 2015, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert since 2019, and a Microsoft Innovative Educator... Read More →

Jordyn Mulvihill

Cole Valley Christian Schools

Friday February 7, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
410A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

2:00pm MST

AI & The Future of Education

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST

440

Discover how Google is harnessing its power to revolutionize the world of education. We'll delve into the fundamental principles of AI, explore Google's ethical and responsible approach to AI development, and showcase three groundbreaking generative AI products: Gemini, Gemini for Workspace, and Vertex AI

Speakers

Danielle Pinta

Utah Program Manager, Google

Google for Education is a solution built for learning and designed for the classroom that includes Chromebooks, Google Classroom, and Workspace programs to engage students

Jack Cupples

Solution Engineer, Google

Ask me about Chrome, ChromeOS and all things Google Workspace for Education.

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST
440 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Beginner

2:00pm MST

Improving Security with Cisco Collaboration

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST

120C

Join us while we delve into the comprehensive security measures of Webex Calling, tailored specifically for educational settings. Discover how Webex ensures both physical and digital security, starting with the innovative panic button feature on the 9800 phones, designed to provide immediate assistance in emergency situations. Learn about how you can integrate with screens in the classroom, mass notification systems, and any platform with open APIs; ensuring visibility into classroom occupancy and environmental data in both normal and emergency situations that you can act upon. This session will highlight how these advanced security features create a safer environment for students, faculty, and staff, while maintaining seamless and secure communication. Don't miss this opportunity to understand how Webex can enhance the security infrastructure of your schools.

Speakers

Joe Huhn

Step into the future of education as IDLA’s Launchpad Program showcases how AI has been harnessed to combat the summer slide and bridge reading skill gaps across Idaho's school districts. In this session, we’ll dive deep into IDLA’s cutting-edge approach to synchronous classrooms, exploring how AI not only transforms the online learning experience but also enriches traditional brick-and-mortar settings.

Unveil powerful, time-saving AI tools designed to enhance and differentiate curriculum for students of all abilities. Engage with strategies that tie student involvement directly to relevant content and standards. Discover how IDLA can become your essential partner in addressing literacy challenges and driving successful ELA outcomes.

Join us to explore evidence-based practices, adaptive technology, and personalized learning solutions that empower educators and students on the path to proficient reading. Don’t miss this chance to level up your ELA instruction with IDLA's proven methods and digital innovations—because, at IETA 2025, we're cranking it to 11!

Speakers

Amy Marlowe

Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA)

Driven by a passion for equitable education, I believe every student deserves a learning experience that empowers them to succeed, honors their unique community, and is rooted in evidence-based practices. For me, "what's best for students" is a guiding principle for everything I do... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST
420A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

2:00pm MST

Bridging AI and Education: Applying 1EdTech Standards to AI Goals

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST

110B

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the educational landscape, but its integration requires careful consideration to ensure ethical and effective use. In this session, participants will explore how the 1EdTech AI Data Rubric can help schools implement AI-driven tools in a way that promotes privacy, equity, and educational value. Drawing from experiences at Idaho Digital Learning Academy, we will discuss how to align AI initiatives with educational goals while safeguarding student data. This session is ideal for educators and technologists interested in the responsible use of AI in schools.
Outcomes: Attendees will:
Understand the 1EdTech AI Data Rubric and its application in K-12 settings.
Learn practical strategies for incorporating AI into teaching while ensuring privacy and equity.
Gain insights into aligning AI initiatives with school and district goals.

Speakers

Ashlee Kolar

EdTech Engineer, Idaho Digital Learning Alliance

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST
110B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

2:00pm MST

Empowering the Future: Unleashing STEM and Career Potential with Learning Blade and Career Blade

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST

410C

Discover how Learning Blade and Career Blade, in collaboration with the Idaho STEM Action Center, are transforming the educational landscape by bridging the gap between classroom learning and high-demand STEM and career pathways. These online learning resources, aligned with the First Step Standards, offer hands-on, interactive activities and industry-aligned curricula that inspire students to pursue STEM subjects and prepare them for real-world challenges.
Educators will learn how to leverage these tools to empower themselves and their students. Learning Blade, designed for grades 5-9, introduces students to STEM careers through contextualized, integrated learning experiences. The platform’s newest AI module enables students to uncover the science behind artificial intelligence and explore emerging AI-oriented careers. Career Blade, suitable for K-12 students, engages learners in career exploration and provides career-specific activities that equip them with essential skills and knowledge for the future workforce.
Participants will also explore how the Idaho STEM Action Center supports and enhances the use of these platforms, providing additional resources to strengthen STEM education across the state.
Join us to dive into the future of STEM and career education with your fully funded account at www.learningblade.com/ID.

Speakers

Idaho STEM Action Center

STEM Ed. Coordination Officer, Idaho STEM Action Center

Mission StatementProviding coordination for statewide STEM education and activities to enhance opportunities for educators, students, communities, and employers in their work to build a competitive Idaho workforce and economy through STEM and computer science education.Vision StatementA... Read More →

Lauren Duris

Learning Blade

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST
410C Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

2:00pm MST

Microsoft Class Teams Search Progress/Search Coach

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST

110D

Microsoft Search Progress/Search Coach is a feature within Microsoft Class Teams for Education aimed at improving students’ information literacy. It enables educators to assign and monitor research projects while offering real-time guidance on crafting effective search queries and recognizing trustworthy sources. It is a helpful tool to streamline information literacy instruction. Let us share with you how we have used Search Progress/Search Coach in our classrooms grades 3-5 and ways to use Search Progress/Search Coach in grades 6-12.

Speakers

Joanie Arendse

Technology Integration and Instruction, Cole Valley Christian Schools

Caleb Nielebeck

Elementary and Middle School STEM Teacher, Cole Valley Christian Schools

I serve as a STEM teacher at Cole Valley Christian Schools, teaching elementary and middle school classes in a variety of STEM topics. I have a background in Ecology laboratory and field sciences with publications in both PLOS One and Ecosphere. Over the past three years, two at CVCS... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST
110D Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

2:00pm MST

Navigating Ethics and Bias in AI

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST

410B

Speakers

Dixie Harper

Dixie Harper has been an educator for 30+ years. She holds a Bachelors in Education, a Masters in Library Media Technology, and a Specialist Degree in Education Leadership. Throughout her career, she has been employed in three different school districts in Georgia as a teacher... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST
410B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

2:00pm MST

Unlocking the World of eBooks

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST

430A

Discover the power of digital libraries with LiLI.org’s Gale eBooks and the IDEA by ICfL OverDrive collection. In this presentation, we’ll explore two leading e-book platforms designed to enhance research, learning, and leisure reading. Learn how to access, navigate, and utilize these platforms to support education, professional development, and personal reading. Whether you’re an educator or librarian this session will provide valuable insights into the features, benefits, and best practices for using LiLI.org’s Gale eBooks and the IDEA by ICfL OverDrive collection.

Speakers

Marina Rose

E-Resources Consultant, Idaho Commission for Libraries

Marina has been with the Idaho Commission for Libraries since 2022. In her current role, she oversees the LiLI databases and the IDEA collection, as well as manages the ShareIdaho program. She has worked in Idaho libraries since 2009 and has been an avid Overdrive user for nearly... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner