ITEC Fall Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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8:30am CDT

CSTA Membership: Heads Up as to What You Get as a Member

Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Welcome to CSTA! We are so excited that you are a member (or are considering it). This session consists of making sure you have everything you need to access all of your member benefits. We'll provide you with resources to help you access (most of) everything available to you as a CSTA Member. Taking advantage of the plethora of member benefits is what we're striving to provide.

Speakers

Henry Ramirez

Central Region Chapter Support Coordinator, CSTA

I retired from teaching in 2021, with thirty years’ experience in education (9 yrs-bilingual/ESL teacher, 17 yrs-Instructional Technology Specialist, and 4 yrs-MS CS teacher). I served as the vice president of CSTA Greater Houston for four years (still a member/leader).Upon retiring... Read More →

Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
308

General Session

9:30am CDT

A Sea of Choices: Considering data privacy, human in the loop, and research in AI use

Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

302/303

The world of AI, particularly generative AI, has grown significantly over the last year to an almost overwhelming position. What does a classroom educator, IT team member, or administrator need to understand when examining AI tools for use in the classroom environment? We will explore the basics of data privacy, engagement in research backing, and how to keep a human in the loop with a technology that increasingly asking for decisions to be taken away from users. We will dive deep into emerging best practices for vetting tools and engaging with those tools safely and with an eye on what the developing research in telling us.

Speakers

Matthew Winters

Artificial Intelligence Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Matthew Winters is the AI Education Specialist at Utah State Board of Education (USBE). He was also the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (UCET) President for 2022-2024, our Utah ISTE affiliate. He was one of the International Society for Technology in Education’s 20 to... Read More →

Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
302/303

Featured

9:30am CDT

Web Accessibility Takes a Village

Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

312

Providing accessible instructional material and instruction isn't any one person's responsibility, it's shared across everyone who has an influence on our learning environments. Join me to learn how to broaden the conversation about accessibility in your agency and start to send the right message about how this should all work to a critical audience: leadership.

Speakers

Rob Carr

Accessibility Specialist, WebAIM and NCADEMI, Utah State University

Rob Carr is the Strategic Accessibility Coordinator at WebAIM and a Digital Accessibility Specialist at NCADEMI, the Office for Special Education Programs technical assistance center dedicated to assisting pre-K-12 state and local education agencies to provide more accessible educational... Read More →

Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
312

Featured

9:30am CDT

The Power of No: The Forgotten Leadership Superpower

Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

316

Administrators and technology directors are constantly asked to do more with less, yet time and human capital are finite resources. In this session we will explore when the word "no" can be your best option as a district leader, how to deliver the message with respect and dignity, and why it has become essential to maintaining the effective operation of your organization.

Speakers

Steven Hopper

Director of Technology, Dallas Center-Grimes

Steven Hopper is shocked that 2026 marks the start of his 21st year as an educator. A former special education teacher, technology coach, curriculum leader, and school board member; Steven has supported multiple districts across central Iowa and currently serves as the Director... Read More →

Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
316

Iowa Featured

Strand Educational Policy and Leadership
Audience Administrators, IT Personnel, Instructional Coaches

11:00am CDT

As Good as It Gets: Navigating the Laws and Best Practices of Digital Accessibility

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

312

Is your district's digital ecosystem Livin' la Vida Loca, or is it stuck in a maze of inaccessible PDFs, video platforms, and public portals? Digital accessibility in K–12 isn't just about your public website! It impacts every classroom app, student portal, and digital resource across your entire district. It’s time to stop sayin' I Want It That Way and start building an environment that works for Everybody (yeah!).
We’ll break down federal law, giving you the real deal on WCAG best practices for all staff members. Whether you're in IT, communications, the classroom, or leadership, join us to make your district's tech da bomb. U Can't Touch This level of inclusion!

Speakers

Jamie Petersen

Technology Integrationist, Woodward-Granger CSD/ITEC Board of Directors

Hi! My name is Jamie Petersen and I am the K-12 Technology Integrationist for Woodward-Granger Community Schools in Central Iowa. I also sit on the ITEC (Iowa Technolgy Education Connection) Board of Directors. These roles allow me to serve educators in Iowa and around the country... Read More →

Carrie Hillman

Vice President, ITEC

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
312

General Session

11:00am CDT

Ctrl+Alt+Lead: Rebooting Your Tech Decision-Making

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

317

When a computer freezes, we hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete to clear the system and start fresh. But what do you do when a major technology rollout freezes due to user resistance, poor communication, or lack of buy-in? You have to Ctrl+Alt+Lead.
Managing a major device change is less about the hardware and more about change management. In this session, we will look at real-world examples of leading successful device transitions from the ground up. We will break down how to "reboot" your approach by establishing meaningful feedback loops with stakeholders (teachers, students, and parents) and executing a transparent communication plan that minimizes panic and maximizes excitement. Don't just deploy devices—lead the transition.

Speakers

Eric Townsley

Director of Technology, College Community CSD

ITEC Board Member

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
317

General Session

Strand Technology Infrastructure
Audience IT Personnel

11:00am CDT

Helping Schools Make Sense of AI

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

305

AI conversations often begin with tools, policies, and concerns about misuse. While those conversations are important, they don't always help educators answer a more fundamental question: What do we want AI to support?

This session explores a practical, human-centered framework built around four questions that can help educators make thoughtful decisions about AI while keeping learning at the center of the conversation. Drawing from the ongoing work of Dallas Center-Grimes Schools, participants will explore how preserving what matters, building confidence, balancing consistency with professional judgment, and continuously learning from feedback can help schools navigate AI in ways that fit their own context.

Rather than offering one model to replicate, this session focuses on questions and ideas that teachers, instructional coaches, building leaders, and district teams can adapt to support meaningful learning, student thinking, and responsible AI use.

Speakers

Alex Glade

Curriculum Facilitator, Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District

Alex Glade is a Curriculum Facilitator with the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District who is passionate about helping educators thoughtfully integrate technology to support meaningful learning. With more than 20 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, digital... Read More →

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
305

General Session

11:00am CDT

Stop Doing That Manually (There's a Script for That)

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

315

You're copying and pasting the same data into three different spreadsheets. You're sending the same email to 47 parents. You're manually checking a gradebook that updates every night. What if Google just... did that for you?
Google Apps Script is a free, built-in tool that connects your Google Workspace apps and automates the repetitive tasks that eat up your time. No coding background required. In this session, you'll see real examples built for schools: automated parent communication, missing assignment trackers, mail merges, and more. Walk away with working templates and the confidence to start automating your own workflows.

You'll leave with:

A clear picture of what Google Apps Script can (and can't) do
Real-world examples you can take and use immediately
A starter template to customize for your own classroom or building

Speakers

Celeste Scott

K-12 Technology Integrationist, Indianola Community School District

Placeholder bio

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
315

General Session

11:00am CDT

Navigating Open Record Requests

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

306

Iowa public schools have a responsibility to operate as transparently as possible, but responding to public record requests can quickly become both a logistical and political quagmire. This session will take a deep dive into Iowa Code Chapter 22, identify and categorize common types requests, and share specific examples of how Dallas Center-Grimes navigates the open records process.

Speakers

Steven Hopper

Director of Technology, Dallas Center-Grimes

Tuesday October 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
306

Iowa Featured

Strand Educational Policy and Leadership, Legal Issues
Audience Administrators, IT Personnel, Teacher Library

1:30pm CDT

AI Adoption & Implementation: 2 District's Journeys

Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

317

Every district is looking to adopt and utilize AI effectively within the classroom. There are many challenges that go along with that from planning, tech requirements, policies, community input, professional development, ongoing support, and AI capabilities that change monthly. Come to this session to hear about how the successes, challenges, and setbacks College Community CSD and Cedar Falls CSD have had on our journeys to effectively implement AI.

Speakers

Eric Townsley

Director of Technology, College Community CSD

ITEC Board Member

Brian Unruh

Director of Tech Integration, Cedar Falls Community School District

I am a current ITEC Board Member.

Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
317

General Session

Strand Technology Infrastructure, Educational Policy and Leadership, Artificial Intelligence
Audience Administrators, Instructional Coaches, IT Personnel, Teacher Library

1:30pm CDT

The AI Task Force Playbook: Vetting Tools, Crafting Expectations, and Empowering Educators

Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

304

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept, it is actively shaping our schools today. However, turning high-level school board policies into clear, practical daily guidelines for teachers and students can be a daunting task.
In this session, Mr. Stevens will share the process that was used to form a collaborative AI Task Force across PK–12 grade levels and district leadership. Continue by sharing our process to build a comprehensive AI framework that moves beyond abstract rules to provide daily classroom clarity and expectations for AI use in the district for both teachers and students.

Speakers

Daniel Stevens

STEAM/Tech Integrationist, Hampton-Dumont CSD

I am a passionate educator with 10 years of experience dedicated to helping students develop the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. I currently serve as the K–8 STEAM and Computer Science teacher at Hampton-Dumont Community School District, where I foster creativity... Read More →

Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
304

General Session

Strand Artificial Intelligence, Educational Policy and Leadership
Audience Administrators, Instructional Coaches, IT Personnel

1:30pm CDT

Leveraging AI to Build Apps Round Table

Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

314

Speakers

Joe Wakeman

Executive Director, ITEC

Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
314

Round Table Discussion

Strand Artificial Intelligence
Audience Administrators, IT Personnel

1:30pm CDT

Hands-On Digital Accessibility: Build, Fix, and Apply in Real Time Workshop

Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

312

Creating an accessible digital environment isn't just an IT task. It has to be a district-wide priority and approach. Whether you work in communications, curriculum, classroom instruction, school administration, or technical support, your digital content impacts students, families, and staff every day.
This interactive, workshop-style session takes a practical approach to K–12 digital accessibility standards (including ADA Title II compliance). Instead of sitting through a continuous presentation, we will break down the process into clear, manageable steps. We'll introduce one core topic at a time and immediately give you dedicated working time to apply what you just learned directly to your own district materials, course pages, documents, or platforms.

Who Should Attend? Everyone! This session is open to all district staff with no technical background required. If you create, post, or manage digital content for students, parents, or colleagues, this workshop will give you immediate, practical tools to make your work inclusive for all.

What to Bring: Please bring a laptop and a few existing district documents, course materials, or web pages you would like to work on during the session!

Speakers

Rob Carr

Accessibility Specialist, WebAIM and NCADEMI, Utah State University

Carrie Hillman

Vice President, ITEC

Cynthia Curry

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Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
312

Workshop

2:30pm CDT

From AI Tools to AI Workflows

Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

305

You've been shown dozens of AI tools in the last two years. The number you still use is probably one or two.
That isn't a discipline problem. "What's the best AI tool?" has a shelf life of about six weeks with the model updates, the pricing changes, your district blocks it. The question that doesn't expire is: what's the workflow I want to own?
This session is a four-step pattern for answering that with Name, Map, Mark, Lock and three of the four steps never touch a product, which is exactly why workflows built this way survive when the tools change.
You'll watch one real workflow built live from scratch: sixty exit tickets, clustered by misconception instead of by score, running automatically every Friday afternoon. Then you'll design your own, and mark the steps where your professional judgment has to stay.
Tools are rented. Workflows are owned.

Speakers

Aaron Maurer

STEM Lead, MBAEA

STEM Lead Instructor on a mission to bring wonder and play back into the classroom. Known as “Coffeechug” to the education community, this lifelong learner with over 20 years of classroom experience thrives on sharing his craft with the world as teacher, website community creator... Read More →

Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
305

General Session

2:30pm CDT

Squeezing the IT Dollar: How To Save Money When the Cost Keeps Rising

Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

314

Software licensing fees are climbing, device replacement cycles are getting tighter, and network infrastructure demands are higher than ever. How are school district tech departments staying on budget? This unstructured round table is an open floor for infrastructure professionals to compare notes on saving money. Key topics include eliminating redundant platforms, vendor price hikes, cloud migration trade-offs, and creative ways to stretch hardware lifecycles. No vendor pitches—just honest peer advice on what to keep, what to cut, and how to negotiate better terms for your district.

Speakers

Phil Trimble

Director of IT, Pocahontas Area Community School

Director of IT

Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
314

Round Table Discussion

Strand Technology Infrastructure
Audience IT Personnel, Finances

8:30am CDT

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1:30pm CDT

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2:30pm CDT

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