ITEC Fall Conference 2026: Full Schedule

8:30am CDT

Building a Sustainable Technology Budget

Monday October 12, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT

Budgets are tight. Always have been. Always will be. That's why creating a long-term budget strategy for technology is crucial. Learn how the Dallas-Center Grimes School District established a predictable refresh cycle and utilizes multiple funding streams to fund our technology initiatives.

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 →

Monday October 12, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
306

Iowa Featured

Strand Educational Policy and Leadership, Technology Infrastructure
Audience IT Personnel, Administrators, Finances

9:30am CDT

Beyond the Basics: Leading the Shift in Digital Citizenship with Common Sense Media

Monday October 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT

306

Think you know the Common Sense Media curriculum? It’s time to take another look! In 2025, this tried-and-true resource received a major upgrade, transforming into the Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum.
As a TK-6 teacher librarian who has used this platform for years, I’ll take you through what’s stayed the same, what’s brand new, and why this shift toward student well-being matters more than ever. We will explore how the updated curriculum bridges the gap between classic digital safety and modern student mental health. Learn how you can seamlessly plug these ready-to-go resources into any elementary classroom or library. Walk away with practical strategies to help your students stay safe, balanced, and media-literate in today's digital landscape!

Speakers

Lisa Newgard

Elementary Teacher Librarian, Cedar Falls CSD

I am a fifteen year PK-6 Teacher Librarian with a degree from the University of Northern Iowa. I serve as Cedar Falls Building Technology Leader, specializing in digital citizenship, research skills, and reading engagement. I focus on practical, classroom-ready technology integration... Read More →

Monday October 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
306

Iowa Featured

Strand Instructional Practices
Audience Classroom Implementation (Elementary), Instructional Coaches

11:00am CDT

Click Less, Teach More: Tech Tools Worth Your Time

Monday October 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

306

Educators do not need more tools; we need the right tools. In this fast-paced, practical session, discover classroom technology tools that genuinely save time, increase engagement, support creativity, and make teaching more efficient. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas, classroom applications, and strategies that help teachers streamline workflows while creating meaningful learning experiences for students.

Speakers

Nicole DeGidio

Teacher/Technology Coach, Clayton Ridge Community School District

Nicole DeGidio is the 6-12 Technology Coach, MS Computer Science teacher and HS English and Digital Media teacher at Clayton Ridge Community Schools. Passionate about empowering students through technology, Nicole creates authentic, real-world learning experiences that blend innovation... Read More →

Monday October 12, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
306

Iowa Featured

1:30pm CDT

Bots, Books, and Bytes : Computer Science in the Elementary Library

Monday October 12, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

306

Can a picture book spark a passion for coding? Absolutely! Learn about an elementary library where literacy meets computer science, and stories are used to introduce robotics and digital exploration.
In this session, you’ll discover how to blend storytelling with foundational tech skills. We will explore how to pair children's literature with screen-free, "unplugged" robots like TaleBots, Bee-Bots, and Cubettos to teach sequencing, debugging, and spatial thinking to your youngest learners. Then, we’ll pivot to the upper grades, with online resources that keep older computational thinkers challenged and engaged.
Whether you are a librarian, tech coach, or classroom teacher, you’ll walk away with a curated list of CS-aligned picture books, ready-to-use lesson ideas, and the inspiration to turn your library into a hub of innovation!

Speakers

Lisa Newgard

Elementary Teacher Librarian, Cedar Falls CSD

Monday October 12, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
306

Iowa Featured

Strand Computer Science, CSTA
Audience Teacher Library, Classroom Implementation (Elementary), Classroom Implementation (PK-2)

2:30pm CDT

Maximizing Your E-Rate Return

Monday October 12, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

306

The E-Rate program provides substantial discounts -- up to 90% -- on eligible internet services and network equipment, but like any federal program, the application and reporting requirements can seem daunting. Learn how to successful navigate this process and how a partnership between the business and technology departments at DCG Schools has resulted in a 99% utilization of available E-Rate funds.

Speakers

Steven Hopper

Director of Technology, Dallas Center-Grimes

Monday October 12, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
306

Iowa Featured

Strand Educational Policy and Leadership, Technology Infrastructure
Audience Administrators, Finances, IT Personnel

8:30am CDT

The Wins and Woes of Teaching AI: An Upper Elementary Library Case Study

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

306

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, it’s actively shaping how our students search, create, and think. But how do you actually teach AI literacy to upper elementary students without getting bogged down in dense curriculum? How do you find resources that are a good fit for upper elementary? How do you do this in a library?
In this transparent, real-world case study, see a path of introducing AI to the upper grades in an elementary library. We’ll look at the journey and the practical reality of what it takes to launch an elementary AI unit.

Speakers

Lisa Newgard

Elementary Teacher Librarian, Cedar Falls CSD

Tuesday October 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
306

Iowa Featured

Strand Instructional Practices, Artificial Intelligence
Audience Classroom Implementation (Elementary), Teacher Library

9:30am CDT

Coding Computational and Creative Thinkers: Reimagining Middle School Computer Science

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

306

What does modern middle school computer science look like when creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning take center stage? In this session, explore how an engaging 9-week eighth-grade computer science course was designed to develop computational and creative thinkers through real-world technology experiences. Participants will learn how students explored computational thinking, circuits with SnapCircuits, AI tools, 3D modeling and printing, block coding, Python programming, and drone certification in a dynamic and student-centered learning environment designed to keep all students engaged. Walk away with practical ideas, project examples, technology tools, and curriculum structures that make computer science meaningful, accessible, and exciting for middle school learners.

Speakers

Nicole DeGidio

Teacher/Technology Coach, Clayton Ridge Community School District

Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
306

Iowa Featured

Strand Computer Science, CSTA
Audience Administrators, Classroom Implementation (Middle School), Instructional Coaches

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

So...What Are We Actually Doing About AI? A District’s Journey from Policy to Practice

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

306

In this session, Waukee CSD’s Technology and Innovation team will share our district’s journey from early AI guidelines to a districtwide approach connecting board policy, classroom practice, academic integrity, AI literacy, and professional learning.

We’ll share what we learned along the way, the conversations and decisions that shaped our approach, and the practical resources we created for staff and students, including Levels of Responsible AI Use, teacher decision guides, AI learning continuums, and a conversation-first approach to suspected AI misuse.

This isn’t a session about having AI all figured out. It’s about creating enough clarity and consistency to move forward. Attendees will leave with ideas, resources, and questions to help their own districts move from talking about AI to building an approach that works in practice.

Speakers

Erica Beals

TK-12 Technology & Innovation Coach, Waukee Community School District

K-12 Technology & Innovation Coach with a 9-12 Focus

Amanda DeGroote

TK-12 Technology & Innovation Coach, Waukee Community School District

K-12 Technology & Innovation Coach with a 6-8 Focus

Shannon Fleming

TK-12 Technology & Innovation Coach, Waukee Community School District

TK-12 Technology & Innovation Coach with a TK-5 Focus

Stacy Hansen

TK-12 Technology & Innovation Coach, Waukee Community School District

TK-12 Technology & Innovation Coach with a TK-5 Focus

Tuesday October 13, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
306

General Session

Strand Artificial Intelligence, Educational Policy and Leadership
Audience Administrators, Classroom Implementation (High School), Instructional Coaches

2:30pm CDT

Extend. Explore. Experiment.: Igniting Innovation Beyond the School Day

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

306

In this session, participants will discover how engaging, hands-on STEM experiences were designed to spark curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving for 6-12 learners. From robotics and engineering challenges to coding, digital creation, drones, makerspace activities, and emerging technologies, this session shares practical strategies for building a high-impact after-school program that students are excited to attend. Walk away with ideas for program structure, student engagement, funding opportunities, and scalable STEM activities.

Speakers

Nicole DeGidio

Teacher/Technology Coach, Clayton Ridge Community School District

Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
306

Iowa Featured

8:30am CDT

9:30am CDT

11:00am CDT

1:30pm CDT

2:30pm CDT

8:30am CDT

9:30am CDT

11:00am CDT

1:30pm CDT

2:30pm CDT

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