IETA 2025: Full Schedule

8:00am MST

My Power Hub Communications and Engagement

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

MyPowerHub is a powerful tool for engagement among schools, families, and students. With a single login, it provides a simple experience for viewing student data on progress and growth. Enhancing family-school engagement in a consolidated and clean platform, MyPowerHub users have centralized access to school systems and reports while saving time due to streamlined access with clear information on student progress. Simplify family involvement today with MyPowerHub—your all-in-one solution for staying connected and informed

Speakers

Cindi Jensen

PowerSchool

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
120B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership

8:00am MST

Unlock the Power of Spreadsheets with 3 Basic Formulas

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

430A

Everyone knows that all kinds of good information can be pulled from spreadsheets, but how do you unlock that information? Data comes alive when you can manipulate data to understand it. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll begin with a generic term final grade spreadsheet with thousands of enrollments and grades and we will use the Unique, If, and Vlookup functions in Google Sheets to sort out how individual students did. Gaining an understanding of how to use these 3 simple functions allows users to pull all kinds of information from their spreadsheets and become spreadsheet magicians. Participants will need their laptops, at least a basic knowledge of spreadsheets, and access to Google Sheets. If you are familiar with spreadsheets but would like to have more knowledge of how to manipulate them, this workshop is for you.

Speakers

Clayton Trehal

Principal, iSucceed Virtual Schools

Clayton Trehal has been the Principal of iSucceed Virtual High School since 2016. This year is his 11th year as an administrator and his 22nd year as an educator. He is a Level II GoogleCertified teacher and is currently working on his Powerschool Admin Certification. Over the last... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Intermediate

8:00am MST

Empowering Learning through Technology

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

440

Innovations that create more effective schools through improving technology and the learning environment. Solutions to help schools manage the challenges seen commonly in education, as well as obstacles brought by the pandemic.

Speakers

Marco Vranish

CompuNet, Inc.

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
440 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

8:00am MST

Game of Phones

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

110D

Lab around setup up and using a cloud phone system. Convert hard phones to cloud registered devices, set up users, configure hunt groups, basic queues, E911. Experience how easy cloud can be.

Speakers

Carla Shields

Solution Engineer, CompuNet, Inc.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-shields-2bb2a95/

Patrick Carlton

CompuNet, Inc.

Scott McComb

Solutions Engineer, CompuNet, Inc.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mccombscottid/

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
110D Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

8:00am MST

eSports Arena

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

130

Check out the eSports arena and tournaments.

Speakers

Cody Kreps

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
130 Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Special Event

8:00am MST

Actively Engaging with AI in Education

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

410A

Embark on an interactive journey to discover the foundations of AI algorithms and their potential in education. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, create a text adventure game using generative AI, and share insights on the impact of this innovative technology in teaching and learning. Join us for a thought-provoking session that combines active learning strategies with basic and cutting-edge AI applications. This session offers participants a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of AI while exploring practical ways to engage students and peers in active learning experiences that are both fun and educational.

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 →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
410A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

8:00am MST

Become Cyber Smart! Hands-On Cybersecurity Lessons for K-8 Educators

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

410B

Learn about the importance of protecting personally identifiable information, password security, and avoiding phishing scams! This workshop is ideal for elementary and middle school educators looking to build cybersecurity awareness into lessons and activities. Participants receive hands-on experience with unplugged lessons aimed at increasing cybersecurity awareness for K-8 students. During the workshop, educators explore a variety of interactive activities designed to make cybersecurity concepts accessible and engaging for students. Lessons focus on teaching cybersecurity principles without the need for electronic devices.

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

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
410B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

8:00am MST

Empowering Educators: Grants, Resources, Partner Power Pitches, AI Lesson Planning, & Exciting Prizes for Educator Success!

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

120C

Transform your school’s programs with this interactive workshop designed for administrators and educators. Discover how to secure grant funding, leverage our collaborative Community Platform, and integrate AI into your classrooms for free!. Plus, you’ll hear quick 5-minute pitches from key partners who can provide direct support for your initiatives. With prize drawings throughout the session, there’s even more incentive to join and leave with valuable resources! Walk away with practical strategies, new connections, and the tools you need to drive innovation, empower your staff, and elevate student achievement.

Speakers

Idaho STEM Ecosystem

Director, Idaho STEM Ecosystem

Trisha Mick

Statewide Program Coordinator, Idaho STEM Ecosystem

Trisha Mick is a passionate educator with over 15 years of dedicated service in the field of public libraries. Her passion for STEM education is palpable and her commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring equitable access to high-quality, affordable education is unwavering... Read More →

ReBekha Lulu

Southwest Idaho STEM Hub Coordinator, Idaho STEM Ecosystem

Come visit the Ecosystem and our exciting partners at the Innovation Playground on the 2nd floor of Boise Centre East! ReBekha Lulu brings over a decade of educational experience, including eight years of teaching in Idaho, a master's degree in educational leadership from Boise State... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
120C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

8:00am MST

From Script to Screen: AI's Role in School Film Production

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

120A

Explore ways that artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in student film production. We’ll look at some free tools that can assist in the process by creating a short movie together. Come have some fun and learn from each other as we see what AI can do.

Speakers

Dean Lake

Special Education Teacher, Bear Lake School District

Making short movies with students is a fantastic way to practice writing, communication, and social skills in a fun project-based learning format. Throughout my thirty plus years working with students as a school librarian, elementary teacher, and high school special education teacher... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
120A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

8:00am MST

Navigating the Shift to Standards-Based Grading: Insights from Borah High School’s Pilot Program

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

110B

Join educators Megan Bell and Meagan Lyons as they share their journey transitioning from traditional grading to standards-based grading (SBG) at Borah High School. Through a voluntary pilot program, 50% of the school is now participating in SBG, focusing on shifting the conversation between students and teachers from task completion to mastery of concepts. In this session, the two educators will explore the challenges they faced and their strategies to build trust with teachers, students, and families to ensure a smooth transition.

Key Takeaways:
- Understand the necessary steps to prepare for and implement a standards-based grading pilot program.
- Learn how teachers and students shifted from task completion to mastery-focused conversations using student work as evidence.
- Explore the role that technology plays in supporting this transition and how it can be used to enhance grading and assessment practices.

Speakers

Megan Bell

Learning Coach 10-12 All Subjects, Boise School District

Meagan Lyons

High School Math

Carrie Gruber

Regional Sales Manager, Otus

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
110B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

8:00am MST

Taking Your Coaching to the Next Level

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

430B

Research has shown that instructional coaching is instrumental in the success of any change initiative. The coach provides support and professional learning for teachers, advocates for best instructional practices, and supports their principals as they lead change initiatives. In other words - instructional coaches are superheroes, skilled at various tasks and often asked to move mountains. In this session, we invite you to explore how to take your coaching to the next level as you reflect on your coaching practice and cultivate your leadership skills. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting your journey, you'll leave with strategies to empower the teachers you serve and gain deeper insights into your unique strengths.

Speakers

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 →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
430B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

8:00am MST

Using AI to Save Time

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

110C

Using AI to Save Time

In this engaging and informative session, we will explore how cutting-edge (and free) AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini can revolutionize time management for educators. As middle school educators, we have firsthand experience with the challenges educators face in balancing administrative tasks, lesson planning, rubrics, parent contacts, student engagement, and so much more. This session will demonstrate practical applications of AI to streamline these processes, allowing educators to focus more on teaching and less on busywork.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction to AI in Education: Understanding the basics of AI and its potential impact on the education sector.

Microsoft Copilot: A deep dive into how Copilot can assist with writing emails, creating presentations, and managing schedules.

Google Gemini: Exploring the capabilities of Google Gemini in automating routine tasks and enhancing productivity.

Real-World Examples: Case studies and success stories from schools that have successfully integrated AI tools.

Interactive Demonstrations: Live demonstrations of AI tools in action, showcasing their ease of use and effectiveness.

Q&A Session: An opportunity for attendees to ask questions and discuss their specific needs and challenges.

Anticipated Outcomes:

Enhanced Understanding: Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how AI can be leveraged to save time and improve efficiency in educational settings.

Practical Skills: Participants will leave with practical knowledge and skills to implement free and accessible AI tools in their own schools.

Inspiration and Motivation: Educators will be inspired to embrace AI technology, seeing it as a valuable ally in their daily tasks.

Speakers

Mark Fisk

Principal, Boundary County School District

Jacob Garrison

Boundary County School District

Wednesday February 5, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
110C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

9:30am MST

Exhibit Hall

Wednesday February 5, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am MST

100ABCD

Come check out this year's exciting exhibitors. They make this conference possible.

Speakers

Keven Denton

Deputy Chief Technology officer, West Ada School District

Keven Denton is the Deputy Chief Technology Officer with a over 19 years at the West Ada School District. Member of the IETA board for 14 years, helping to contribute to educational technology advancements and funding in technology for K-12 students in Idaho. I hold a Master of Science... Read More →

Keven Denton

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Wednesday February 5, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am MST
100ABCD Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Exhibit Hall

9:30am MST

Innovation Playground

Wednesday February 5, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am MST

Level 2 Lobby

The SWISH Innovation Playground is an interactive space designed to inspire and engage educators and administrators. More than just a vendor hall, this hands-on area showcases programs, tools, and ideas through activities and demonstrations that encourage exploration and connection to enhance STEM opportunities in your school! The Innovation Playground features exciting, hands-on activities from our partners. The Innovation Playground features exciting, hands-on activities from our partners. Databots brings Dancing with the Data, while the Children’s Museum of Idaho offers wind tunnels or ramps. Idaho Out of School Network hosts Build a Band, and OnRamp showcases Sphero robots and Makey Makeys. Explore special effects with the Discovery Center, student-led robots with FIRST Idaho Robotics, and VR demos with the Institute of Microelectronics Education and Research, and more! Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with cutting-edge tools and ideas!

Speakers

ReBekha Lulu

Southwest Idaho STEM Hub Coordinator, Idaho STEM Ecosystem

Wednesday February 5, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am MST
Level 2 Lobby Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

STEM Ecosystem Innovation Playground

10:15am MST

How to Use Mail Merge to Send Customized Mass Emails

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

430A

Would you like the ability to send thousands of customized emails to recipients in minutes using a spreadsheet? Or to use a spreadsheet to create thousands of custom documents easily? If you have access to email addresses, data, and Google Sheets this process is actually really easy. If you’ve never used a mail merge program for mass emailing or mass document creation, this presentation will give you a nice overview of how this works. iSucceed uses YAMM (Yet Another Mail Merge) and Autocrat for our mass emailing needs and you’ll see how we use these programs to promote student engagement and improve academic performance. Anyone attending this session will walk away with knowledge of how mail merges work plus ideas of how to use them in your school.

Speakers

Clayton Trehal

Principal, iSucceed Virtual Schools

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Beginner

10:15am MST

Navigating Students’ Pathways: Embracing AI/AR/VR's Role in Career Exploration

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

110B

Discover how districts, technical schools and community colleges are using creative approaches including AI, AR, and VR to engage and inspire students. This session will demonstrate how students research, learn, and experience a variety of concepts and the associated career pathways in STEM, Health Science, Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Science, Transportation and more. Based on this exploration, students are able to develop plans for post-secondary study and/or earn valuable certifications. Leaders from Mountain Home School District will share their implementation story.

Speakers

David Elliot

Director, zSpace

CompuNet, Inc.

Matt Adams

CompuNet, Inc.

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
120A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

10:15am MST

Running a Student Led Help Desk

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

420A

Middleton High School Tech Ninjas run a student-led IT help desk at Middleton High School. Ninjas assist fellow students with IT issues and assist in training students and staff in technology needs. They troubleshoot various computer issues, as well as assist with maintenance and repairs of all Chromebooks in our school district. In this session we will share how our Help Desk works and how you can implement a Help Desk at your school.

Speakers

Sarah Thompson

Instructional Specialist, Middleton High School, Middleton School District

Sarah Thompson is an Instructional Specialist. Her career in education began in 1993 teaching English in Middleton, Idaho. She works with technology integration and supports instructional practices throughout the district.

Heather Balaam

IT Help Desk Coordinator, Middleton High School

Heather Balaam is the Middleton High School Help Desk Coordinator. She has been in education, supporting student learning in technology since 2018.

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
420A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Beginner

10:15am MST

Securing Our Futures: Physical Security in K12

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

410A

Covering best practices for physical security in the K12 space along with new technologies and ways to stretch your budget.

Speakers

Josh Bores

System Tech Inc.

Austin Howell

General Sales Manager, System Tech Inc.

Lindsay Davis

AP Computer Science teacher & Code.org facilitator, Boise School District and Code.org

Lindsay teaches AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A (Java) at Boise High School. She has also taught AP Physics and several various Mathematics classes in her 19 years as an Educator in the Boise School District.Lindsay has been a Code.org facilitator since 2016... Read More →

Samuel Stafford

Computer Science Teacher, Boise School District

Samuel Stafford is currently teaching Exploring Computer Science, A.P. Computer Science Principles, and A.P. Computer Science A. He is very proud to be a Borah Lion and was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. He graduated from Capital High School, received a bachelors in Secondary Math... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
110D Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

10:15am MST

Empowering Every Learner: Tech Tools for Inclusive Education

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

110C

In the diversity of classrooms, educators face the challenge of meeting the needs of students with varying learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds. This session will explore a range of tech tools designed to foster an inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive. Attendees will learn about digital resources that support differentiated instruction, assistive technologies that aid students with disabilities, and strategies for leveraging these tools to enhance engagement and accessibility.

Participants will leave with practical knowledge of how to implement these technologies in their own classrooms, ensuring that all learners—regardless of their individual needs—have the opportunity to succeed. Join us to discover how technology can be a powerful ally in creating equitable learning experiences for all students.

Speakers

Cassie Luna

Learning Coach, Boise School District

Cassie Luna is a dedicated educator who has been striving to make meaningful impact for over 10 years.Mrs. Luna’s journey in education began in 2011 with earning her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Cum Laude, from Boise State University. After graduation, she began her... Read More →

Christine Kruse

Regional Transition Coordinator, SW Idaho, University of Idaho, Center on Disability and Human Development

Christine Kruse is a graduate of Walden University and the University of Washington. She holds a Transition Leadership Certificate from University of Massachusetts, Boston. Mrs. Kruse is currently working towards the Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
110C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

10:15am MST

LEGO EDUCATION - IDAHO CS INITATIVE with iSTEM

Science Teacher, Albert Einstein Academy Middle School

Eric Cross is a full-time middle school science and technology teacher for Albert Einstein Academies, International Baccalaureate schools. He is an Adjunct Professor of Technology and Learning, and Science Methods at the University of San Diego in the School of Leadership and Education... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm MST
400 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Keynote, All levels

12:30pm MST

Exhibit Hall

Wednesday February 5, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST

100ABCD

Come check out this year's exciting exhibitors. They make this conference possible.

Speakers

Keven Denton

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Wednesday February 5, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST
100ABCD Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Exhibit Hall

12:30pm MST

Lunch Break

Wednesday February 5, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST

Downtown Boise

Lunch on your own.

Wednesday February 5, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST
Downtown Boise

Lunch

12:30pm MST

Innovation Playground

Wednesday February 5, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST

Level 2 Lobby

Speakers

ReBekha Lulu

Southwest Idaho STEM Hub Coordinator, Idaho STEM Ecosystem

Wednesday February 5, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST
Level 2 Lobby Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

STEM Ecosystem Innovation Playground

1:45pm MST

A Cost-Effective Platform to Meet Idaho K12's Cybersecurity and Teaching Needs

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

110A

In today’s fast-paced digital age, Idaho schools need more than just content filtering—they need a comprehensive, budget-friendly solution that addresses cybersecurity, classroom management, and student learning.

iboss and partner Bytespeed deliver a unified platform tailored to the unique needs of K12 districts, combining essential tools like content filtering, classroom management, AI-driven security, and parent portals. This E-Rate eligible solution under Category 2 (FWaaS) simplifies IT management while protecting against a wide range of cyber threats.

Join Mitchell Brackett, Idaho Territory Manager at Bytespeed, and Jeff Edwards, iboss Senior Account Executive, for a practical and interactive session focused on affordable, all-in-one security and learning solutions that empower Idaho schools to prioritize education while staying secure.

Speakers

Jeff Edwards

iboss

Mitchell Brackett

Territory Manager, Bytespeed

Mitchell Brackett is a dedicated technology professional known for his exceptional ability to connect individuals and organizations with valuable opportunities. With a strong focus on fostering collaborative partnerships and facilitating knowledge sharing, Mitchell excels in leveraging... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
110A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Beginner

1:45pm MST

Bolstering Your Defense in Depth Strategies with the MS-ISAC and Center for Internet Security

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

430B

Our world is under attack! Cyber attacks adn threats come from everywhere. Government entities have to be prespared to not only detect and prevent these threats, but be ready to respond and recover from them. A solid defense in depth is a strategy leverages mulitple secuirty measures to protect an organization's assets. The idea is if one line of defense is compromised, additional layers exsit as a backup to ensure that threats are stopped along the way. By partnering with the Center for Internet Security and the MS-ISAC, members are able to surround their infrastructure in layers of control and mitigation, creating hurdles for organizations can continue to firght against the cyber threat actors and continue to protect their enviroments.

Speakers

Michelle Nolan

Regional Engagement Manager, Center for Internet Security and the MS-ISAC

Michelle Nolan is a Regional Engagement Manager for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center™ (MS-ISAC®), a division of the Center for Internet Security, Inc.®. She is a member of the Stakeholder Engagement team, which works with our nation’s State, Local, Territorial... Read More →

Semona Houghlan

Center for Internet Security and the MS-ISAC

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
430B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

1:45pm MST

District Cybersecurity Forum: Collaborative Roundtable

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

410C

Join us for a discussion on ways to optimize district Cybersecurity Operations: Topics such as Reviewing Alerts, Utilizing Runbooks, and Leveraging Tools. What are your Aspirations and Innovations in handling cyber security threats

Speakers

Keven Denton

Deputy Chief Technology officer, West Ada School District

Devan Delashmutt

Chief Technology Officer, West Ada School District

Devan DeLashmutt started his career in Idaho K-12 educational technology in 1993 with the Pocatello School District. In 2003 opportunities with the Idaho State Department of Education brought Devan to the Treasure Valley. While at the Department of Education, he helped pilot a student... Read More →

Loren Cornell

System Engineer, West Ada School District

Ryan Murdoch

Systems Administrator - Identity Automation, Security/Safety, West Ada School District

Josh White

IT Supervisor, West Ada School District

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
410C Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Beginner

1:45pm MST

Lessons Learned - Migrating on Prem phone systems to the cloud

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

110C

Round Table Discussion focusing on lessons learned, considerations, and recommendations when deciding to migrate On Prem phone system to the cloud.

Speakers

Carla Shields

Solution Engineer, CompuNet, Inc.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-shields-2bb2a95/

Patrick Carlton

CompuNet, Inc.

Scott McComb

Solutions Engineer, CompuNet, Inc.

NCCE

Randy Hawkins is a 3rd grade Gifted, and Talented teacher committed to teaching students to be lifelong learners and take ownership for their own learning. He holds a master’s degree from Boise State University (2009) and a bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University (1997... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
410B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

1:45pm MST

Beginning spreadsheets for teachers

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

430A

This class is intended for beginners. We will cover basic uses for spreadsheet, tips and tricks to make spreadsheets easier, and ideas on how to use spreadsheets in your classroom.

Speakers

Emily Goodwin

Snake River School District

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:45pm MST

Chalk- Lesson Planning App

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

120C

This session will explore using the Chalk app to create lesson plans and units.

Speakers

410A

Get equipped with strategies to use AI in the classroom effectively. We'll address pressing concerns, highlight useful applications, and provide time-saving hacks while keeping privacy and ethical considerations in mind. You'll learn how to integrate AI tools to enhance teaching, streamline tasks, and increase student engagement. Suitable for all tech-comfort levels, this session will empower you to confidently implement AI in your classroom. Leave with practical knowledge to transform your teaching practice in the age of artificial intelligence.

Speakers

Eric Cross

Science Teacher, Albert Einstein Academy Middle School

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
410A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

1:45pm MST

Idaho Digital Navigator badges: A collaborative microcredentialing project.

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

110D

The recently developed Digital Navigator badges are a collaborative microcredentialing project aimed at bolstering Adult Education and Digital Literacy across Idaho. Key stakeholders involved in this initiative include the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, Idaho Commission for Libraries, University of Idaho Extension, and numerous postsecondary institutions. During this presentation, attendees will gain insights into the new Digital Navigator badge content, curriculum, and the SkillStack® microcredential platform. The content will delve into the various aspects of Digital Navigation, encompassing topics such as:
• Understanding the fundamentals of digital literacy.
• Navigating online resources effectively.
• Evaluating digital information critically.
• Protecting personal data and cybersecurity.
Attendees will learn how Digital Navigator educators can utilize the SkillStack® microcredential platform to track their progress, earn badges, and showcase their accomplishments.
Attendees will leave the presentation with a deeper understanding of the Digital Navigator badges, their potential impact on Adult Education and Digital Literacy in Idaho, and the role YOU might play in driving this initiative forward.

Speakers

Rick Stoddart

Microcredentials Coordinator, Idaho Division of Career Technical Education

Trevi Hardy

Idaho Division of Career Technical Education

Heather Luchte

Chief Performance and Accountability Officer, Idaho Division of Career Technical Education

Heather Luchte is the Director of Performance Management at the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education. Heather has worked at the division since 2013. She is responsible for collecting performance data, monitoring student outcomes, and performance improvement. Heather also oversees... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
110D Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:45pm MST

Making Accessibility a Priority: Practical Approaches for Meeting WCAG 2.1 Standards

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

420A

Ensuring digital content is accessible to all learners is critical for equitable education. This session will provide attendees with practical approaches for meeting WCAG 2.1 Standards in their schools or districts. Using real examples from Idaho Digital Learning Academy’s accessibility initiatives, the session will cover key areas such as creating accessible digital content, leveraging tools for language and disability accessibility, and conducting thorough accessibility audits. Participants will leave with a framework for implementing accessibility improvements that support all learners, regardless of ability.
Outcomes: Attendees will:
Learn actionable steps for implementing WCAG 2.1 Standards in digital content.
Understand how to conduct accessibility audits and use feedback for continuous improvement.
Gain practical tools and strategies for enhancing accessibility for diverse learners.

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 →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
420A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:45pm MST

Personalized Learning Schoology with AI

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

120B

PowerBuddy for Learning
Student Assistant PowerBuddy is a conversational AI guide designed to support and motivate students as they learn. Teachers can choose Socratic Mode to prompt deeper learning without giving away answers, or Research Mode for open-ended work. All student conversations are logged and screened for sensitive topics, giving both educators and families transparency into how students use the tool. Multi-language support, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text ensure every student can benefit.
Generative AI for Content Creation Educators can save time by using PowerBuddy to generate ideas and educational content for a wide variety of use cases. Educators can prompt the system in natural language and can control the output parameters such as length, reading level, and language. PowerSchool’s AI framework facilitates human-centered, bias-resistant, and equitable content generation to benefit all students.
Discover the pivotal role that Schoology Learning and PowerBuddy can play in your school district.

Speakers

Cindi Jensen

PowerSchool

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
120B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

1:45pm MST

Teams and Classwork, Assignments, Grades and Insights

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

440

We will jump into learning how to use classwork, assignments, grades and insights. What are the recent updates and streamline learning for you and your students.

Speakers

Lora Evanouski

Information Services Technology Coordinator, Nampa School District

Lora Evanouski is an Information Services Technology Coordinator for the Nampa School District. She has 13 years teaching experience F2F and online. In her job with NSD, she teaches and trains staff and students how to use technology. Lora is an MIE Expert for 8 consecutive years... Read More →

Rachael Lowe

Informations Services Technology Coordinator, Nampa School District

Rachael holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. Rachael began her career in the Nampa School District as the Curriculum Materials Coordinator. Rachael’s current role is Information Services Technology Coordinator. In addition to her many other roles, Rachael taught Art... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
440 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

2:30pm MST

Exhibit Hall

Wednesday February 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm MST

100ABCD

Come check out this year's exciting exhibitors. They make this conference possible.

Speakers

Keven Denton

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Wednesday February 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm MST
100ABCD Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Exhibit Hall

2:30pm MST

110D

Encourage social, emotional, and character development in elementary children with the Arthur Interactive Media (AIM) Buddy Project. This hands-on, interactive workshop will guide you through how to implement this FREE curriculum in your classroom.

Speakers

Kari Wardle

Director of Education, Idaho Public Television

Heather Anderson

Technical Support Specialist, IDLA

Ryan Gravette

IDLA

Wednesday February 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST
440 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

4:00pm MST

Prize Drawing

Wednesday February 5, 2025 4:00pm - 4:15pm MST

400

Vendor Hall cards prize drawing. Must be present to win!

Speakers

Will Goodman

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Will Goodman is the Chief Technology Officer for the Boise School District, a board member of the Idaho Education Technology Association, and a chairperson on the U.S. Department of Education’s National Forum on Education Statistics. He received the CoSN Impact 30 and IETA President’s awards. He formerly held the positions of Chief Technology Officer for the Idaho State Department of Education, Director of District Programs for the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance, teacher, principal, athletic director, coach, teacher mentor, director of technology, d... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 4:00pm - 4:15pm MST
400 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Special Event

5:30pm MST

Women in Tech Social

Wednesday February 5, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm MST

NW Lobby

Are you a woman working in tech or edtech, or just interested? Enjoy some food and socializing.

Speakers

Kristine Cathey

IETA Women in Tech Planning Committee, IETA Women in Tech

Our mission is to raise awareness and to support women in technology in Idaho education. We support women and girls in IT, as we work to overcome the challenges they face, both entering the field and advancing in it. We focus on supporting and growing a diverse educational technology... Read More →

Wednesday February 5, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm MST
NW Lobby Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Special Event

6:30pm MST

Rock Show!!!

Wednesday February 5, 2025 6:30pm - 8:00pm MST

400

Come party at the rock show! Live music and a rocking good time. See you there!

Speakers

Will Goodman

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Wednesday February 5, 2025 6:30pm - 8:00pm MST
400 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Special Event

8:00am MST

Idaho Esports Association - Esports 101

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

120A

As esports continues to gain popularity among students, schools have a unique opportunity to harness this enthusiasm by establishing an engaging and inclusive esports program. Join us for an informative session where we’ll explore the essential steps to successfully launch an esports program at your high school.

In this talk, you’ll learn how to:

Understand the Landscape: Gain insights into the current state of high school esports, including popular games, leagues, and competition structures.

Build Support: Discover strategies for garnering support from administrators, teachers, and parents to create a sustainable program.

Foster Inclusivity: Learn how to create an environment that welcomes all students, regardless of skill level or background.

Implement Best Practices: Hear from experienced coaches and program directors about what works and what to avoid in developing a successful esports initiative.

Whether you're a teacher or administrator, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge to turn your esports vision into reality. Join us to unlock the potential of esports in education and inspire the next generation of gamers!

Speakers

Dalton Hawkins

Idaho Esports Association

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 →

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!

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
120A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Beginner

8:00am MST

Lead Loud and Clear with Custom AI: ChatGPT at Full Volume

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

410C

School leaders are constantly faced with critical decisions, often under intense pressure to respond quickly and decisively. This session will show administrators and educational leaders how to cut through the static and amplify their leadership voice by creating a customized AI assistant to help find clear, consistent solutions to complex issues. Participants will learn how to input their personal leadership philosophies, discipline policies, and goals into the AI, transforming it into a tool that offers customized solutions and suggestions that are in alignment with your core principles. By the end of this hands-on workshop, attendees will understand how to use custom AI as a thought partner to navigate the noise, make clearer decisions, and tackle real-world challenges—from discipline issues to school management and technology integration. Walk away with a fully customized ChatGPT, primed to lead with you—loud, clear, and at full volume.

Participants will leave the session with a working knowledge of ChatGPT’s custom instructions. They will gain confidence in using AI to support decision-making, ensuring their leadership style is consistently reflected in the AI's responses. The session outcomes include faster, more consistent decision-making, reduced stress, and the ability to turn AI into a dynamic tool that aligns with their leadership vision.

Speakers

Erin Downey

Library, Boise School District

Erin Downey (they/them) has served as Boise School District's Consulting Librarian since 2014. They are passionate about helping teachers, librarians, and students wrestle with new and unexpected technologies, ideas, and ways of thinking.

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
410C Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Beginner

8:00am MST

Resilience in Action – Business Continuity & IT Disaster Recovery Best Practices and an Interactive Exercise

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

430A

On average, the world experiences 350 to 500 medium-to-large scale natural disasters each year. This rate of occurrence is expected to continue through 2030 and could significantly increase year-over-year. In short, the development of resilience strategies has become part of doing business -- are you confident in your school or district’s ability to respond to [and recover from] these types of events? This presentation, led by a DRII Business Continuity Professionals, walks the audience through a Business Continuity and IT Disaster Recovery Program Lifecycle. As we step through the lifecycle, our presenters will equip attendees with actionable knowledge, share best practices, and explain the principles that underpin each activity. Midway through the session our presenters will switch gears from education to applied learning – effectively leading the audience through a tabletop exercise and simulating the decisions necessary to navigate a real-life disaster. Attendees are encouraged to participate and ask questions as we explore the strategic imperative of safeguarding and ensuring continuity of K-12 education!

Speakers

Donna Jenkins,

CompuNet, Inc.

Jason Tupeck

CompuNet, Inc.

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Intermediate

8:00am MST

Endpoint management on a budget

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

440

This session will go over settings up an endpoint imaging using an opensource software call fog project allowing network PXE booting endpoint to capture and deployed image to computers allowing mass deployments over the network.

Speakers

Kai Garcia

Systems Administrator, Kuna School District

Porter Wollan

SIS Manager, Kuna School District

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
440 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

8:00am MST

Solving Digital Access and Security Issues in Your Schools

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

430B

Traditional security awareness in schools is becoming less effective. Hear from a panel of IT leaders from several Idaho districts discuss how ClassLink helps address some of the most prevalent digital learning issues facing districts today including; access, security, password fatigue, usage analytics, and provisioning.

In this session, we will discuss how to:

Improve access by making all applications accessible from one consistent portal, at home and in the classroom
Increase time for teaching and learning by reducing the time students spend logging in to applications, with SSO and automated rostering
Maximize student data security with 2-step authentication (MFA) and easy password reset tools
Usage analytics capturing important access data to help inform strategy
Rostering and provisioning services to help streamline processes for your tech teams

Speakers

Anu Jokinen

Senior Director of Instructional Technology, ClassLink

As the Senior Director of Instructional Technology, Anu supports districts across the western United States helping them to implement the best in technology solutions and practices. A veteran of the education technology space and a current ISTE Certified Educator, Anu has been serving... Read More →

Cody Kreps

Attendees will learn how one district leverages the power of Microsoft Office 365 and Windows 11 to support diverse learning needs across their classrooms. The session will highlight specific strategies and tools that are used to create more inclusive and accessible learning experiences for all students. Features like Immersive Reader, Dictate, Live Captions, and Translator in Word, PowerPoint, and Edge as well as accessibility options in Windows 11 to support students with learning differences will be discussed. Bring your laptop and Microsoft Office login for this hands-on session. Attendees will walk away with practical, ready-to-implement ideas for using Office 365 and Windows 11 within the universal design for learning framework.

Speakers

Christy Butler

Assistive Technology Specialist, West Ada School District

Gaye Keith

Special Services Consulting Teacher, West Ada School District

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
110D Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

8:00am MST

Managing MTSS with Unified Insights/ Analytics/ Data/ Dashboards

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

120B

Support Any MTSS Facet or Framework MTSS models can vary greatly from district to district. PowerSchool MTSS is a comprehensive solution that’s adaptable to any MTSS framework—helping districts ensure that all students have equal access to the support they need. Connect All Data and Leverage Intervention Analytics Bring together the data from your district’s SIS, behavior management, SEL, and assessment solutions in a single platform. Users can identify student needs and attach critical data to student plans and interventions. Connected data also provides educators with the intervention analytics needed to measure success.

Speakers

Cindi Jensen

PowerSchool

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
120B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

8:00am MST

The Think Do Thrive Variety Session: A Showcase of Curated Gems

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST

410A

Escape the ordinary at IETA with this one-of-a-kind variety session! This unique interactive session, curated by a seasoned educator, combines a variety show format with a curiosity-driven algorithm your students are attracted to on social media platforms. You will discover prompts, multi-modal tools, and strategies to enhance your teaching and ignite your student's interest. If you want a session palette cleanser, don't miss this opportunity to refresh your teaching toolkit, leave with artifacts to ponder post-IETA, and have fun!

Speakers

Darren Hudgins

Thursday February 6, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am MST
410A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

9:30am MST

Exhibit Hall

Thursday February 6, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am MST

100ABCD

Come check out this year's exciting exhibitors. They make this conference possible.

Speakers

Keven Denton

Deputy Chief Technology officer, West Ada School District

Keven Denton

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Thursday February 6, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am MST
100ABCD Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Exhibit Hall

9:30am MST

Innovation Playground

Thursday February 6, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am MST

Level 2 Lobby

Speakers

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.

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
410C Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

10:15am MST

Google Vault in Education: Strategies for Effective Data Management

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

110B

In the complex landscape of educational data management, Google Vault emerges as a critical tool for archiving, eDiscovery, and compliance. This session will offer a comprehensive exploration of how Google Vault should be effectively utilized in educational settings. Attendees will learn to navigate Vault's functionalities, from setting retention policies to managing best practice workflows with data, ensuring their institution's data management aligns with compliance standards. Key takeaways from this session include:

-In-Depth Understanding of Google Vault: Gain a solid grasp of what Google Vault is, its significance within the Google Education ecosystem, and how it can be leveraged to manage educational data effectively.
-Retention Policies and eDiscovery Expertise: Learn how to establish and implement effective retention policies, and how to conduct thorough eDiscovery processes within Google Vault, essential skills for managing institutional data.
-Navigating Compliance in Education: Understand the specific compliance requirements related to data management in education, and how Google Vault can help meet these requirements, ensuring that your institution's data practices are both effective and compliant.

Speakers

Kendal Shomura

Sr. Consultant Edu, CDW Amplified for Education

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
110B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

10:15am MST

Moving your phone system to the cloud

25 Innovative Assessment Resources in 45 Minutes

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

120C

Part of the barrier to innovative assessment practices is often just having the resources in place to facilitate new methods of grading and assessing students. In this blazingly-fast session, participants will be given 25 resources to support innovative assessment practices with an explanation of the purpose and function of each one.

Speakers

Tyler Rablin

Innovative Learning Coach, Sunnyside School District

Tyler Rablin is an award-winning instructional coach and former ELA teacher for Sunnyside School District in Sunnyside, WA. He is also the owner of Tyler Rablin Consulting, is the author of Hacking Student Motivation from Times 10 Publications, and has been a featured speaker and... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
120C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

10:15am MST

AI Tools and How to Use Them in the K-12 Classroom

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

410A

The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and platforms for K-12 education. We will discuss the definitions and types of AI for education, identify and review currently available and popular AI tools, and provide a quick reference for teachers. Additionally, we will address ethical concerns such as data privacy and algorithmic biases. The goal of this session is to provide information for teachers to choose specific AI tools for different purposes. The use of AI tools and their associated concerns in the K-12 classroom will also be discussed, encouraging teachers to create more dynamic, inclusive, and effective learning environments while preparing students for the future. This session is connected with a submitted article under review in the AI, Computer Science, and Robotics Technology Journal.

Speakers

Nicole Sarty

Teachers, West Ada School District

Nicole Sarty Bio Link:https://msd2-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/personal/sarty_nicole_westada_org/Documents/Professional/Goals/Sarty%20Resume%202022.pdf?csf=1&web=1&e=maWf9V

Gina Kwid

Teacher, West Ada School District

Gina Kwid is an educator in the West Ada School District. She has taught 2nd grade and elementary engineering at Galileo STEM Academy for the past 17 years. In addition to ISTA, she is an active member of the Idaho STEM Ecosystem, ARISS Education Committee, ITEEA, and 100Kin10. She... Read More →

Dazhi Yang

Professor, Boise State University

Dr. Dazhi Yang is professor in educational technology with joint/adjunct appointment in the College of Engineering at Boise State University. Her current research interests include technology- supported STEM education, engineering and computing education, online and distance learning... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
410A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

10:15am MST

Distinctive Stories from Amazing Projects

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

430A

Education is not about the number of minutes we have our students, but rather the number of great moments we craft for them to experience. In this session, we'll look at innovative approaches from students and how they are making the world better, with attention to what kind of learning allows them to build confidence, explore cool, connect with students globally, and pursue personal excellence. Examples will be taken from the Creative Solutions for the Global Good class taught by the presenter, though the ideas can be incorporated into individual projects for other classes or activities specific to school clubs.

Speakers

Rushton Hurley

Executive Director, NextVista.org

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

10:15am MST

Empowering Educators with AI-Infused Solutions for the Modern Classroom

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

110A

Educators and school leaders, join us to explore how Gemini for Education and Merlyn Mind can revolutionize your teaching practices. Gemini helps generate personalized learning experiences, streamline administrative tasks, and integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace tools to enhance your classroom workflow. Merlyn Mind further elevates your teaching by offering voice-activated control over technology, including within your Google Drive, freeing you to focus more on instruction and student engagement. With Merlyn Chat and PrepTime AI, you can effortlessly interact with technology, lean into those 'teachable moments', and optimize lesson planning. In this session, you'll see how both tools can save time, boost student engagement, and create a more inclusive and efficient learning environment.

Speakers

Anna Hanrahan

Teaching and Learning Consultant, Trafera

Anna Hanrahan has been a classroom teacher for more than 20 years and currently serves as a Teaching and Learning Consultant with Trafera. Anna is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and her expertise includes STEM education, promoting literacy within STEM instruction, instructional... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
110A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

10:15am MST

Power up With PBS

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

440

What if there were just one website you could use for all of your lesson planning that holds a variety of resources, tools AND is easy to use? Sound too good to be true? Think again! The PBS LearningMedia site is a powerful FREE tool for teachers who are interested in using video, online games, primary sources and self-paced digital lessons with their students. If you are a teacher in a K-12 classroom, a librarian, a technology specialist or an administrator there is something for you on PBS Learning Media. The real power comes when PBS LearningMedia is paired with your favorite digital assessment and presentation tools to create engaging and fun activities for students of all ages and abilities. Join IdahoPTV for this session and get ready to launch the power of PBS in your classroom!

Speakers

Kari Wardle

Director of Education, Idaho Public Television

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
440 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, All

10:15am MST

Project STEM Coding for MS / HS

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

110D

Teaching Computer Science: How I use Project STEM in my classroom and what it can offer. How to use a program that offers coding lessons that are easy to follow and easy to understand. This program is very scaffolded and can be taught / used in a variety of ways. Includes : Scratch, Micro:bit, and Earsketch, python and block coding.

Speakers

Michelle DiPaula-Craig

Technology Teacher, Nampa School District / Lone Star Middle School

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
110D Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

10:15am MST

STEM Career Profiles and Skills

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

110C

This session is focused on what some may characterize as non-traditional STEM careers, ranging from healthcare to technology to other industries that are not commonly recognized as such. The goal is for attendants to learn cohesive ways to present STEM careers (and the paths to achieving those careers) for students of all ages. These careers are not found within linear confines but are characterized by skills (hard and soft), networking, and academic trajectories.

Speakers

Carina Minardi

STEM From LLC

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
110C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

10:15am MST

Transforming Computer Science Education in Idaho with ‘Coding in Minecraft’

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

410B

Do you want to teach coding in a game-based environment but are not a gaming or coding expert? In this session, you will learn how teachers in Idaho have already begun using ‘Coding in Minecraft’ to create a student-led, highly engaging learning experience where the educator becomes the facilitator, and the students lead their own learning to learn how to code in Blocks, JavaScript or Python. In addition, they can earn a credential through our Capstone Credential Exam. See how the immersive curriculum and credential pathway has all the resources you need to teach your students how to code.

Speakers

Melanie Drown

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
410B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

10:15am MST

What is a Power Buddy?

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST

120B

All About PowerBuddy! AI-powered assistant for Everyone in Education PowerBuddy is PowerSchool's AI assistant uniquely developed for students, families, teachers and administrators to deliver personalized education and individualized insights, foster engagement, and create a supportive environment for everyone in education at every step unlike ever before.

Speakers

Cindi Jensen

PowerSchool

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am MST
120B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

11:15am MST

Keynote: Driving K-12 Innovation in Idaho: 2025 Hurdles, Accelerators, and Tech Enablers

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm MST

400

How can school leaders iterate, adapt, and innovate in the current moment while reimagining and preparing for the future of learning? Join CoSN CEO Keith Krueger to explore the top topics for Driving K-12 Innovation in 2025: Hurdles (barriers), Accelerators (catalysts / megatrends), and Tech Enablers (tools) for you to leverage this year and beyond. This interactive session features a rapid-pace version of CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation Advisory Board process that ~140 educators and edtech leaders use each year to evaluate the landscape of K-12 innovation. You’ll also get a digital copy of the 2025 Driving K-12 Innovation report – published the day before being publicly available

Driving K-12 Innovation is a flagship initiative of CoSN, the Consortium for School Networking, which produces free annual reports that guide school leaders and educators around the world on the coming trends and challenges impacting teaching, learning, and leadership.

Speakers

Keith Krueger

CEO, CoSN

Keith R. Krueger is CEO of CoSN - The Consortium for School Networking, the premier nonprofit professional association organization that serves as the voice of K-12 Ed Tech leaders in North America. CoSN’s mission is enabling inclusive and nimble technology leadership to drive innovation. He was selected by Ed Tech magazine for it’s 2021 K-12 IT influencers. In 2016... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm MST
400 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Keynote

12:30pm MST

Exhibit Hall

Thursday February 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST

100ABCD

Come check out this year's exciting exhibitors. They make this conference possible.

Speakers

Keven Denton

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Thursday February 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST
100ABCD Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Exhibit Hall

12:30pm MST

Lunch Break

Thursday February 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST

Downtown Boise

Lunch on your own.

Thursday February 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST
Downtown Boise

Lunch

12:30pm MST

Innovation Playground

Thursday February 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST

Level 2 Lobby

Speakers

ReBekha Lulu

Southwest Idaho STEM Hub Coordinator, Idaho STEM Ecosystem

Thursday February 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm MST
Level 2 Lobby Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

STEM Ecosystem Innovation Playground

1:45pm MST

A Holistic Roadmap to Technology Maturity

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

430A

Staying current with your technology strategy, infrastructure, data governance, cybersecurity resilience, vendor management and more can feel like a daunting task. Now consider trying to move the needle to future-proof your platform, processes and vendor relationships while perpetually fighting to protect your data from those that don’t rest from relentlessly attacking it.

Join Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) and infoVia for an insightful discussion about how we are doing just that. With an eye to the future, we are on a journey to put IDLA on a more solid foundation that enables them to provide a much higher quality of service to their constituents more efficiently while increasing security and governance.

Speakers

Mike Kalousek

Chief Operating Officer, infoVia

Mike Kalousek is infoVia’s Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Mike is responsible for all aspects of the company’s performance, including strategic planning, partnership development, client care and product strategy. He has had a lengthy career leading technology organizations for... Read More →

Ryan Gravette

IDLA

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Intermediate

1:45pm MST

Re-Engaging Teachers with Technology

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

440

Tech fatigue is a persistent challenge for educators, often stemming from too many new tools, limited time for training, or the aftereffects of pandemic-era online learning. This session will show how NSD’s Curriculum & Instruction team is transforming tech fatigue into tech engagement by spotlighting teachers and instructional coaches in the NSD Innovators cohort. With a focus on simplifying digital tools, flexible PD offerings, and on-demand classroom examples, we’re creating flexible teacher pathways to spark excitement. Join us to explore school or district strategies for re-engaging teachers with technology!

Speakers

Jessica Whittaker

Instructional Coach, Nampa School District

Jessica currently serves as an Instructional Coach at the Elementary School level with previous experience as a 5th Grade Teacher. In addition to her work with the Nampa School District, she's been an Adjunct Professor at Northwest Nazarene University, participated in the Idaho Coaching... Read More →

Drew Williams

Blended Learning Specialist, Nampa School District

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.

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
110C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Beginner

1:45pm MST

IPv4 Network Fundamentals: Addresses, Subnets, and Gateways

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

420A

This session is designed to provide a clear and concise introduction to IPv4 networking concepts for individuals new to the field. Participants will gain a solid understanding of the fundamental building blocks of IPv4 networks, including IP addresses, subnet masks, and default gateways.

Key Topics:
IP Addresses: Learn the structure, purpose, and different types of IPv4 addresses (public, private, loopback).
Subnet Masks: Understand how subnet masks are used to divide networks into smaller subnets, enabling efficient resource allocation and management.
Default Gateways: Discover the role of default gateways in routing traffic between networks and how they are configured.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Explain the basic structure and function of IPv4 addresses.
Calculate subnet masks and determine the number of hosts per subnet.
Configure default gateways on network devices.
Understand the relationship between IP addresses, subnet masks, and default gateways in a network.

Speakers

Joe Christensen

Engineering Supervisor, Vallivue School District #139

Director of Curriculum, CYBER.ORG

Jeff Ramsey

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
410B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

1:45pm MST

Learning to Search: A Critical Digital Literacy Skill

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

110B

Children are increasingly interacting with resources online, often outside of controlled environments in which teachers can curate, guide, and scaffold how they access information. Developing search literacy skills and effective strategies for locating and utilizing information on the internet has become essential. Each step of the search process (choice of search tool, task definition, query formulation, search result evaluation, etc.) presents specific challenges for children that adults do not often face, so additional scaffolding and support is needed to provide children with the tools they need to become better searchers. In this workshop, we will explore the obstacles encountered by children at each of these steps in the search process and discuss strategies for addressing these aspects across different search tools. We highlight the importance of learning to search and the necessity of providing tools that empower children to determine what is appropriate for them and their unique and individual information needs.

Speakers

Jerry Alan Fails

Department Chair and Professor, Boise State University

Jerry Alan Fails is a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Computer Science at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. He has been researching and designing technologies with and for children using participatory design methods for more than twenty years.

Christine Pinney

Boise State University

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
110B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:45pm MST

Microsoft AI: Saving teacher and administrator time, while optimizing student learning outcomes.

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

430B

Please join us as we discuss the new AI innovations from Microsoft. We elaborate on how districts are using AI to save teachers and administrators significant time on a weekly and monthly basis. We will also dive into how AI is improving student outcomes.

Speakers

Dale Perrigo

Director--Windows in Education, Microsoft

I lead the Microsoft Windows business for K12 in the US, Canada, and Latin America.

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
430B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Beginner

1:45pm MST

Next-Gen Tools for Next-Level Learning: Mastering Diffit and NotebookLM in Education

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

410C

Join us for "Next-Gen Tools for Next-Level Learning: Mastering Diffit and NotebookLM in Education," a dynamic professional development session that empowers educators to utilize cutting-edge tools for creating interactive, visually engaging instructional materials. This workshop will explore how to differentiate instructional content by adapting language and reading levels, integrating multimedia, and employing best practices such as Thinking Maps and Eduprotocols for enhanced learning outcomes. Participants will gain practical skills to enhance lesson engagement, improve material quality, and foster a collaborative classroom environment, all aimed at elevating student learning experiences.

Speakers

Dr. Melyssa Ferro

Digital Integration and Innovation Specialist, Caldwell School District #132

After transferring college majors from lab scientist to science educator and graduating from Boise State University with a B.S. in Biology, Secondary Education, Melyssa has spent the last 25 years of her career dedicated to providing hands-on and enriching science and engineering... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
410C Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

1:45pm MST

Telling the Stories of Your School or Program

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST

110A

Most schools do an abysmal job of promoting their stories in a way that prompts people to share and support what happens on campus. The perceived hurdles are technological, logistical, and psychological, and in this session, participants will learn how these hurdles are far less formidable than one might imagine. We will look at how to foster, gather, and share stories to build support for programs that can make one's school truly distinctive.

Speakers

Rushton Hurley

Executive Director, NextVista.org

Thursday February 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm MST
110A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional

2:30pm MST

Exhibit Hall

Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm MST

100ABCD

Come check out this year's exciting exhibitors. They make this conference possible.

Speakers

Keven Denton

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm MST
100ABCD Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Exhibit Hall

2:30pm MST

Innovation Playground

Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm MST

Level 2 Lobby

Speakers

ReBekha Lulu

Southwest Idaho STEM Hub Coordinator, Idaho STEM Ecosystem

Thursday February 6, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm MST
Level 2 Lobby Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

STEM Ecosystem Innovation Playground

3:15pm MST

Fostering a Culture of Creativity for Innovation

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST

120A

Schools often prioritize speed and accuracy, but true innovation thrives on creativity and divergent thinking. This session will challenge the traditional focus on "correct answers" and explore practical strategies to cultivate a more creative and imaginative learning environment. Through engaging hands-on activities, participants will discover protocols designed to stimulate divergent thinking that can be used in both classroom and professional learning settings. By tapping into our curiosity, combining unrelated ideas, and thinking outside the box, we can empower those whom we work with to become innovative problem-solvers and critical thinkers. Join me as we explore how to foster a culture of creativity and innovation that can help us tackle the challenges and harness the opportunities of today’s world.

Speakers

Nancy Mangum

Co-Founder, Leading EDge Learn

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST
120A Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Intermediate

3:15pm MST

Student Data Analytics Roundtable Discussion

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST

120C

Roundtable discussion. Come ready to talk about what you use to dig into student data or what you are looking into. What data do you find asked for most. Example: How test data and attendance might correlate. Do/Will you have a specific person(s) in charge of creating reports. Anything else you would like to share or know about student data analytics.

Speakers

Richard Elwood

Technology Supervisor, Kuna Joint District

Kevin Gifford

Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment & Federal Programs, Kuna Joint District

31 years in education. 19 years as a teacher. 10 years as a principal. 2nd year as district director. Worked with EL, migrant, Dual Language and Sped programs.

Zach Greene

SIS Manager, Kuna Joint District

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST
120C Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Beginner

3:15pm MST

What’s New with Google for Education 2024

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST

110B

Google Workspace for Education and ChromeOS are the power couple of productivity, we'll cover all the latest and greatest features of these two must-have tools, so you can work smarter, not harder.

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.

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST
110B Boise Centre West - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Administrator/Leadership, Beginner

3:15pm MST

Enhancing Cybersecurity with Managed Detection & Response (MDR)

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST

Securing and Managing your network from The Cloud

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST

430B

Understand how Cisco is leveraging the Cloud to Secure and Manage K12 networks and infrastructure leveraging generative AI and simplifying your Day 2 operations with a general philosophy of “If it’s connected it’s protected”

Speakers

Keith Adams

Technical Solutions Architect, Cisco Systems

Southwest Idaho STEM Hub Coordinator, Idaho STEM Ecosystem

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST
Level 2 Lobby Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

STEM Ecosystem Innovation Playground

3:15pm MST

AI Game Changers and Time Savers: Everyday Tools for Teachers

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST

410B

English Teacher, Bishop Kelly High School

Danielle currently teaches 9th grade English and AP Language and Composition at Bishop Kelly High School in Boise. She also serves as a faculty liaison for the IT department.

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm MST
430A Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

4:00pm MST

Prize Drawing

Thursday February 6, 2025 4:00pm - 4:15pm MST

400

Vendor Hall cards prize drawing. Must be present to win!

Speakers

Will Goodman

Board Member, Idaho Education Technology Association

Thursday February 6, 2025 4:00pm - 4:15pm MST
400 Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

Special Event

4:15pm MST

IETA Business Meeting

Thursday February 6, 2025 4:15pm - 4:30pm 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.

Dave Lawes

President, System Tech Inc.

Nancy Mangum

Co-Founder, Leading EDge Learn

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

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

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

Mitch Young

Idaho Esports Association

Gericke Kohn

Board Member, Idaho Esports Association

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

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

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

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 1:00pm - 1:45pm MST
430B Boise Centre East - 850 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702

IT/Technical, Intermediate

1:00pm MST

AI Playgrounds: Exploring School AI Spaces and Magic School Student for Student Innovation

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

120A

Join us for "AI Playgrounds: Exploring School AI Spaces and Magic School Student for Student Innovation," a professional development session designed for educators ready to enhance AI learning. This workshop will introduce School AI Spaces and Magic School Student—tools for creating safe, engaging AI sandboxes. We'll cover setting up these environments, integrating AI activities into curricula, and strategies for teaching AI fundamentals. Educators will learn to monitor progress and provide feedback, ensuring a supportive space for students to develop AI skills effectively. Ideal for teachers looking to foster creativity and problem-solving through interdisciplinary AI education.

Speakers

Dr. Melyssa Ferro

Digital Integration and Innovation Specialist, Caldwell School District #132

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

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

1:00pm MST

Creating "Simple Solution" resources for Teachers and Staff.

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

120C

Providing training for teachers and staff alike as a teachers teacher can be a difficult job; whether as an IT professional or in a professional development position. Having the time to sit down one on one or engage in remote help can be draining or time consuming. This session helps unite Google's Screencast tool and Scribe with Google Sites to create an internal resource page for teachers and staff. In our time together my hope is to be able to bring creatively and innvotion by using free tools that come with our Google Education Domains to provide how-to's, instructionals, and troubleshooting content so that teachers and staff can provide "self-help". Learn how to link calendars, PDF how-to's, and videos through Screencast to make a vibrate area of learning that is easy to use and simple to manage.

Speakers

Nate Luotonen

IT Administrator, The Ambrose School District

Hi, my name is Nate Luotonen. I have the wonderful opportunity to give some nuggets of information from my neck of the woods to my fellow teachers and IT professionals. For the last 10 years or so I have been developing my craft in IT management and support. I started as a lowly consultation... Read More →

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

Teachers/Instructional, Intermediate

1:00pm MST

CS 100: Not Intro to Programming

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

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

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