NCED Connect Symposium Fall 2026

NCED Connect Symposium Fall 2026

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9:00am EDT

Gotta Engage ’Em All: Collab Edition

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom C

Limited Capacity seats available

Calling all collaboration trainers! Build your ultimate collaboration strategy deck as you experience, battle, and evaluate classroom-ready strategies. Explore student talk, movement, vocabulary, reasoning, and critical thinking, then power up your favorite strategies for your own content and grade level. Gotta engage ’em all!

Speakers

Caty Carmendy

Instructional Coach, Mooresville High School

My name is Caty Carmendy, and I am the Instructional Coach of Mooresville High School. I have an extensive amount of experience as a technology liaison with other school districts to help with 1:1 or other technology initiatives, as well as presenting PD at conferences, not limited... Read More →

Erin Trahan

Math Teacher/Department Chair, Mooresville High School

My name is Erin Trahan. I have been teaching high school math for 27 years in Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina. I have taught AP statistics, I am an AP Statistics reader for the College Board, and I serve as one of the Instructional Coaches for Mooresville High School. I have... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom C Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

9:00am EDT

AI and Information Security in education

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive session will explore how educational institutions can benefit from ISO Information Security Management and ISO Artificial Intelligence Management standards. Participants will examine practical ways these frameworks can support data protection, responsible AI use, risk management, policy development, and institutional trust.

Speakers

Engin Ozturk

Engin Ozturk is a cybersecurity instructor and IT coordinator with 20+ years of international experience in teaching, training, and administration from KG to university level. Some major certifications he holds include Information Security Management, Artificial Intelligence Management... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

9:00am EDT

Charting a Cyber-Smart Future

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover how to turn gamified learning into actionable classroom insights with Cyber-PARK, a K–5 cybersecurity platform developed at UNCW. Learn to use student gameplay data to pinpoint critical knowledge gaps, seamlessly integrate interactive modules into your daily routine, and initiate meaningful conversations to build a cyber-smart future.

Speakers

Ellie Ebrahimi

Associate Professor, UNCW

Dr. Ellie Ebrahimi is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has a Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing from Clemson University. Her career goal is to find new ways to adapt and improve ideas and theories to help STEM education and workforce development... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

9:00am EDT

E-Rate Roadmap: Mapping Your Route to Funding Success

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Before the funding comes the planning. This interactive panel session focuses on the pre-funding phase of the E-Rate cycle, including needs assessments, competitive bidding, timelines, and common pitfalls. Participants will hear practical advice from E-Rate practitioners, ask questions, and leave with actionable tips to help position their organizations for a successful funding year.

Speakers

Adam Benjamin

School Connectivity Coordinator, NCDPI

Sue Boros

State E-Rate Coordinator, Department of Public Instruction

What shall we talk about? Our families, our hobbies, football or E-Rate? I'm game.

Sabrina Steigelman

State E-Rate Coordinator, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Dr. Sabrina Steigelman serves as the State E-Rate Coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Office of Digital Teaching and Learning, where she supports school connectivity, digital learning initiatives and digital citizenship efforts across the state. A... Read More →

Chris Whitlock

School Connectivity Coordinator, NCDPI

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Turnberry Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

9:00am EDT

From DLMI Response to Statewide Report: Making Your Data Count

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

See how Public School Unit responses to the 2025–26 Digital Learning and Media Inventory were transformed into statewide Break/Fix report materials. This session will trace key findings back to the specific DLMI questions used, explain how repair rates and technology costs were calculated, and examine common reporting issues that required clarification or reconciliation. Technology teams will leave with practical guidance and a pre-submission checklist to help them provide accurate, consistent, and defensible data in future collections.

Speakers

Ashley McBride

Digital Learning Initiative Consultant, NCDPI

Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her role is to support PSUs and schools with their understanding and implementation of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan. You can reach out to Ashley... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Arrowhead AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership

9:00am EDT

From Data to Action with Infinite Campus

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Victoria Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

Infinite Campus contains valuable student data, but how can it be used to improve outcomes? Participants will learn how to leverage reports and tools to identify at-risk students, monitor interventions, track graduation readiness, and make data-informed decisions that support student success.

Speakers

Betsy Navel

High School Counseling Coordinator, Cabarrus County Schools

With 29 years of experience in school counseling at both the middle and high school levels, I currently serve as the High School Counseling Coordinator for Cabarrus County Schools, a role I have held for the past six years. I am passionate about supporting student success through... Read More →

Mary Smith

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Victoria Ballroom B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

9:00am EDT

NCEdCloud Data Flows & Updates

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will cover the latest updates to the NCEdCloud IAM Service, including a review of how student and employee data gets into the system. We'll also take a look at the current options for MFA and discuss troubleshooting tips and tricks.

Speakers

John Mairs

Section Chief - PSU Tech Services, NCDPI

John currently leads the PSU Technology Services team at NCDPI, who manages the NCEdCloud IAM Service, Student UID System, and Staff UID System. A former charter school CTO, John is passionate about lowering the barriers to digital curriculum and personalized learning while ensuring... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Guilford D Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

9:00am EDT

Beating Barriers & Bumps

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Effective instruction practices should remove barriers and create more inclusive learning experiences. Explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and accessibility focused practices support learner variability, increase engagement, and improve access to learning. Leave with ready-to-use resources and ideas to support the needs of students.

Speakers

Brian Whitson

Piedmont-Triad Digital Learning Consultant, NCDPI

Brian, an ISTE + ASCD Certified EdTech Leader, serves as the Digital Teaching & Learning Consultant for the Piedmont Triad Region at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. He served as an instructional coach, technology facilitator, and STEM/science teacher in Rowan-Salisbury... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Carolina Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

9:00am EDT

Choosing Joy

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Choosing Joy is an interactive and engaging professional development hosted by classroom teachers. This session is geared towards developing practical solutions to incorporating joy and fostering human relationships for the benefit of both teachers and students.

Speakers

Kylee Marshaachalk

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Biltmore AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

9:00am EDT

Accessibility for ALL!

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Join this hands-on workshop to eliminate digital barriers and meet WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA mandates using UDL principles. Experience screen-reader simulations, engage in peer reviews, and use live Canvas and Adobe Express sandboxes. Master the "7 Pillars of Digital Design" to remediate your documents and confidently audit content before deadlines.

Speakers

Lisa Guzman

Digital Teaching & Learning Supervisor, Public Schools of Robeson County

Lisa Guzman leads the Digital Learning & Instructional Systems (DL&IS) department for the Public Schools of Robeson County, serving as the strategic bridge between academic curriculum and district technology across grades K-13. With a deep commitment to modernizing the educational... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Colony B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels | Coaches & SLMC, All Levels

9:00am EDT

Cyber & AI: Essential Skills for Today's Classroom

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Cybersecurity is a critical skill set for students in today's AI-embedded world. As AI reshapes how threats are created, detected, and defended against, this session shares standards-based strategies, student scenarios, and ready-to-use cybersecurity resources educators can bring directly into K-12 classrooms.

Speakers

Meredith Ward Hill

Emerging Technologies Consultant, NCDPI

Meredith Ward Hill serves as the Emerging Technologies Consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where she leads the state's AI education strategy for PK-13 public schools. Prior to this role, she served as a digital learning consultant, district media specialist... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Colony A Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

9:00am EDT

ML/Title III Framework: Aligning Systems

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Supporting multilingual learners requires more than effective programs—it requires aligned systems. In this session, participants will explore how Title III requirements can be integrated with local multilingual learner (ML) programs to create cohesive, sustainable systems that improve student outcomes.

Speakers

Susan Walz

Education Consultant, Department of Public Instruction

I am Michigan-born and raised, but for the past 20 years, North Carolina has been home. When I first moved to North Carolina, I was waiting for my Clinical Mental Health Counselor license and took a part-time position working with ESL students. I quickly discovered a passion for supporting... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Blandwood Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels | Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | NCSIS, All Levels

9:00am EDT

Charter Tech Director Collab Meeting

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Imperial Ballroom D

Limited Capacity seats available

Charter school digital leaders face a unique set of challenges, from tight budgets to lean teams. You don't have to figure it out alone. Join us for the first official in-person gathering of the Charter Tech Director Collaborative—a grassroots network built by charter tech directors, for charter tech directors. This interactive session is designed to get us talking, sharing resources, and crowdsourcing solutions. The agenda will be shaped by the immediate, real-time needs of the attendees, with invitations extended to state E-rate and Digital Learning staff to provide expert insights. Come meet your peers, share your hurdles, and help us build a lasting support network.

Speakers

John Bray

Director of Instructional Technology, Discovery Charter School

John Bray has taught science for grades 6-12, and engineering for grades 6-10. He is currently the Director of Instructional Technology, the SIS Coordinator, and the Testing Coordinator for Discovery Charter School in Bahama, NC.

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Imperial Ballroom D Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

9:00am EDT

NCEES District Administrator Insights

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Attendees will review existing law and policy related to NCEES, reflecting on their own LEA/school practice and identifying areas for modifying current practices.

Speakers

Jason Rebman

Director of Licensure and HR Reporting, Durham Public Schools

Served as a science teacher Harnett County Schools for 7 years, assistant principal at Durham Public schools for 8 years, and now going on 2 years as a staffing coordinator with Durham Public Schools. Focus of work is NCEES implementation improvements, data analytics, and systematic... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Morehead Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, Intermediate | Coaches & SLMC, Intermediate

9:00am EDT

Back for another CRDC? So am I.

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Every CRDC collection brings new questions and considerations. Designed for attendees familiar with the CRDC process, this session covers the latest federal updates, lessons learned, and key considerations to help districts prepare for the upcoming reporting cycle with confidence.

Speakers

Terra Lynne Dominguez

Business Systems Analyst II, Department of Public Instruction

Terra Lynne Dominguez is a Business Systems Analyst II with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where she serves as the EDFacts Coordinator, SEA CRDC Coordinator, and supports the CEDARS Data Warehouse. She works across program areas to coordinate federal reporting... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Auditorium II Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, Intermediate | Leadership, Intermediate

10:00am EDT

Beyond Bots: AI Ethics IS InfoLit&DigCit

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

School librarians will be empowered to lead the conversation about GenAI ethics. We’ll move beyond productivity to explore GenAI concepts in collaboration with AASL and NC standards. Learn to integrate AI literacy into K-12 curricula and leave with a Collaborative Ethics Toolkit to champion critical thinking and integrity across all subject areas.

Speakers

Mollee Holloman

School Library Education Consultant, NCDPI Digital Teaching & Learning

Mollee Holloman is currently serving as the School Library Education Consultant for North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, in the division of Digital Teaching & Learning. A steward of stories and curator of worldly experiences using text + tech, she's driven to help adapt... Read More →

Kristy Sartain

Lead Librarian, New Hanover County Schools

I serve as the Lead Librarian for New Hanover County Schools. Before stepping into district leadership, I spent twelve years as a secondary school librarian, cultivating a deep understanding of student needs, school needs, and how a school librarian can be a tremendous asset to b... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

10:00am EDT

Marzano in the Ring Engagement Smackdown

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom C

Limited Capacity seats available

Step into the ring for an Engagement Smackdown where active learning meets Marzano’s research-based instructional practices! Experience high-impact strategies featuring collaboration, critical thinking, movement, gamification, and student choice. Try each strategy, advance your favorites, and leave with classroom-ready ideas.

Speakers

Caty Carmendy

Instructional Coach, Mooresville High School

My name is Caty Carmendy, and I am the Instructional Coach of Mooresville High School. I have an extensive amount of experience as a technology liaison with other school districts to help with 1:1 or other technology initiatives, as well as presenting PD at conferences, not limited... Read More →

Erin Trahan

Math Teacher/Department Chair, Mooresville High School

My name is Erin Trahan. I have been teaching high school math for 27 years in Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina. I have taught AP statistics, I am an AP Statistics reader for the College Board, and I serve as one of the Instructional Coaches for Mooresville High School. I have... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom C Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

10:00am EDT

Pixels with Purpose: K-12 Screen Use

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

When conversations about student screen time arise, leaders need to move beyond counting minutes to evaluating learning. Explore the ICAP and Triple E Frameworks to assess digital learning experiences, identify high-value technology use, and gain practical strategies for leading meaningful conversations about purposeful screen use in education.

Speakers

Jennifer Graham

NC Regional Consultant, NCDPI

Jennifer Graham is the North Central Digital Teaching and Learning Consultant with NCDPI and she is a passionate advocate for engaging, learner-centered professional development. With 29 years of experience in a North Carolina school district, she has served as a teacher, instructional... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

10:00am EDT

Safety on the World Wide Web

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Research shows that in today’s online world, there is a great need for digital citizenship training. The goal of this session is to inform educators of the importance of the NC laws regarding digital citizenship and training at all grade levels. We will evaluate available resources that educators can take back to their schools for use.

Speakers

Christina Overcash

Librarian, Thomasville High

Christina Overcash has worked in education for 24 years. She started as a Special Education teacher at the high school level. After working with students on a graduation project, she developed a love of teaching research and helping students be successful in classroom assignments... Read More →

Crystal White

School Library Media Specialist, Thomasville City Schools

Crystal White has been a NC educator over 20 years. She started as a classroom teacher and taught Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade before moving into the Library Media Center. The role of Library Media Coordinator has turned into a dream job where she gets to integrate... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Colony C Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, All Levels | Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

10:00am EDT

E-Rate Roadmap: Navigating the Funding Lane

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

The funding window can feel like rush hour traffic. This panel session focuses on filing, Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) reviews, documentation, and responding to requests during the funding phase. Attendees will hear lessons learned from the field, participate in Q&A, and collect practical tips for keeping their applications moving smoothly.

Speakers

Adam Benjamin

School Connectivity Coordinator, NCDPI

Sue Boros

State E-Rate Coordinator, Department of Public Instruction

What shall we talk about? Our families, our hobbies, football or E-Rate? I'm game.

Sabrina Steigelman

State E-Rate Coordinator, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Dr. Sabrina Steigelman serves as the State E-Rate Coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Office of Digital Teaching and Learning, where she supports school connectivity, digital learning initiatives and digital citizenship efforts across the state. A... Read More →

Chris Whitlock

School Connectivity Coordinator, NCDPI

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Turnberry Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

10:00am EDT

Breaking Up: Canvas to Campus Learning

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Join Nash County Public Schools as we share lessons learned from transitioning from Canvas to Infinite Campus Campus Learning. Explore strategies for educator support, change management, and system adoption, while collaborating with peers to identify future enhancements for Campus Learning.

Speakers

Caroline Aycock

Director of Digital Teaching and Learning, Nash County Public Schools

Caroline Aycock is the Director of Digital Teaching and Learning for Nash County Public Schools. With over 15 years of experience in education, including classroom and district leadership roles, she supports initiatives related to instructional technology, artificial intelligence... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Arrowhead AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, Intermediate | Coaches & SLMC, Intermediate

10:00am EDT

My CIMC and Me: Getting CCP Audits Right

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to organize and execute a CCP course audit that is efficient, transparent, and sustainable—helping ensure students have access to accurate, high-quality postsecondary opportunities.

Speakers

Stephanie Adams

Meredith Weipert

Director of Testing and Accountability/PowerSchool, Randolph County School System

Meredith currently serves as Director of Testing and Accountability/Student Information Systems for the Randolph County School System. A 25-year educator, she has worked as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and school principal. At the heart of her work is supporting her amazing... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Sandpiper Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

10:00am EDT

Uncover the Mysteries of Staff UID

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

The Staff UID System has been doing its thing since 2009 — but how does it actually work?! In this session, we'll cover the purpose and basics of the Staff UID System, look at how data from payroll gets over to Staff UID, and discuss tips for navigating the system and diagnosing data issues.

Speakers

John Mairs

Section Chief - PSU Tech Services, NCDPI

John currently leads the PSU Technology Services team at NCDPI, who manages the NCEdCloud IAM Service, Student UID System, and Staff UID System. A former charter school CTO, John is passionate about lowering the barriers to digital curriculum and personalized learning while ensuring... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Guilford D Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

10:00am EDT

Excelerate Your Day - Beginners

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Victoria Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

Unlock the full potential of your daily workflow with our introductory Excel session designed for beginners. Attendees will learn navigation shortcuts, master time-saving data techniques like Flash Fill & Transpose and apply foundational formulas & formatting to transform raw data into actionable insights.

Speakers

Chris Bunting

Executive Director of Student Assignment and Information Systems, Johnston County Schools

Thursday October 1, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Victoria Ballroom B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

11:00am EDT

Digital Accessibility in Google Docs

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Google Docs is a common tool for instruction, communication, and collaboration, but documents must be designed with accessibility in mind. In this session, participants will learn practical strategies for creating more accessible Google Docs, including headings, links, alt text, tables, lists, and readable formatting.

Speakers

Josh Barton

Josh Barton is the Digital Accessibility Coordinator with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where he supports digital learning, accessibility, and inclusive technology practices across North Carolina schools. His work includes developing guidance, resources, professional... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Colony B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

11:00am EDT

Powering PLCs with SchoolNet Data

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Transform SchoolNet into a PLC catalyst! Grounded in Hattie’s Visible Learning and DuFour’s PLC model, this hands-on session uses CFAs to drive student growth. Move beyond scores to build collective efficacy through pre/post-tests and real-time instructional shifts. Bring a device to explore features that fuel collaborative decision-making.

Speakers

Wendy Fusco

Instructional Technology Facilitator, Buncombe County

Wendy Fusco is the District Instructional Technology Facilitator for Buncombe County Schools and applies her 25 years of experience in the field to support 45 schools across grades K-12. She is also the district coordinator for the FIRST Lego League elementary teams to help foster... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Blandwood Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Intermediate | Coaches & SLMC, Intermediate | Leadership, Intermediate

11:00am EDT

Read to Rise: A Reading Challenge

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Research shows that time spent reading increases student reading growth. This session shares information about planning, implementing, and evaluating a reading challenge to support Mo Green’s Achieving Educational Excellence plan. Participants will leave with a plan for implementing their own reading challenge at their school or district level.

Speakers

Christina Overcash

Librarian, Thomasville High

Christina Overcash has worked in education for 24 years. She started as a Special Education teacher at the high school level. After working with students on a graduation project, she developed a love of teaching research and helping students be successful in classroom assignments... Read More →

Crystal White

School Library Media Specialist, Thomasville City Schools

Crystal White has been a NC educator over 20 years. She started as a classroom teacher and taught Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade before moving into the Library Media Center. The role of Library Media Coordinator has turned into a dream job where she gets to integrate... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Colony C Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, All Levels | Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

11:00am EDT

Cybersecurity is Everyone's Job

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom F

Limited Capacity seats available

Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. In this interactive session, participants will explore strategies for building a culture of digital trust and cyber resilience. Through real-world examples and collaboration, attendees will learn how educators, leaders, and technology teams can strengthen cybersecurity across their schools.

Speakers

Regina Smith

CTE- Cybersecurity/Computer Science Teacher, Kearns Academy-Guilford County Schools

Regina Smith, is a National Board Certified educator with over 10 years of experience teaching computer science and cybersecurity and more than 25 years of industry experience in business and information technology. She teaches at Kearns Academy of Computer and Information Sciences... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom F Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning | NCSIS, Beginning

11:00am EDT

Fine Arts: Technology, Growth, & Mastery

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

How can performance-based courses demonstrate measurable growth? Using a live student ensemble as a case study, this session explores how recordings, digital portfolios, rubrics, and student reflections can transform performances into evidence of standards mastery. Participants will leave with practical assessment and documentation strategies.

Speakers

James Robinson

James L. Robinson, II is entering his eighth year in education and serves as Director of Bands at North Wilkes Middle and High School in Wilkes County, North Carolina. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Limestone University, a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Biltmore AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning

11:00am EDT

Building Connected School Communities

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover how digital media can strengthen school communication and community engagement. Explore practical, low-cost strategies for newsletters, digital signage, student-led broadcasting, and live streaming. Leave with real-world examples, implementation tips, and ideas to better connect with students, families, staff, and the community.

Speakers

Orhan Kul

I am an Information Technology and Public Relations Communications professional with more than 17 years of experience in K–12 education. Throughout my career, I have led initiatives in school communications, digital media, technology integration, and community engagement.

My w... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Meadowbrook Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Intermediate | NCSIS, Intermediate | Coaches & SLMC, Intermediate | Leadership, Intermediate

11:00am EDT

Level Up Learning, Gamify with AI

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom C

Limited Capacity seats available

What happens when game design meets pedagogy? Explore how gamification can transform classroom learning from passive participation into active progress. Grounded in research on self-determination theory, this session will help educators understand how purposeful game mechanics can increase motivation while supporting academic goals.

Speakers

Lindsey Sipe

Southwest Regional Consultant, NC DPI

Lindsey Sipe brings over 18 years of expertise in digital teaching and learning, beginning her career as an elementary school teacher before moving into a leadership role at the district office for one of the largest urban school districts in the nation. Currently serving in the role... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom C Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, All Levels | Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

11:00am EDT

Vibe Securing - Intro to Cyber & AI

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore how AI is changing the K–12 cybersecurity landscape without abandoning the fundamentals that already work. Participants will examine emerging risks and leave with practical short-term actions and ways to stay informed.

Speakers

Cory Rankin

NC K-12 Cybersecurity Program Lead, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Meredith Ward Hill

Emerging Technologies Consultant, NCDPI

Meredith Ward Hill serves as the Emerging Technologies Consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where she leads the state's AI education strategy for PK-13 public schools. Prior to this role, she served as a digital learning consultant, district media specialist... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Colony A Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators Coaches & SLMC Leadership NCSIS

11:00am EDT

How to Train Your Algorithm

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

Our online behavior trains what algorithms show us next. Participants will explore how clicks, watches, likes, shares, searches, and pauses shape digital feeds. Attendees will connect these ideas to media literacy, misinformation, digital citizenship, bias, and digital wellness.

Speakers

Mollee Holloman

School Library Education Consultant, NCDPI Digital Teaching & Learning

Mollee Holloman is currently serving as the School Library Education Consultant for North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, in the division of Digital Teaching & Learning. A steward of stories and curator of worldly experiences using text + tech, she's driven to help adapt... Read More →

Sabrina Steigelman

State E-Rate Coordinator, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Dr. Sabrina Steigelman serves as the State E-Rate Coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Office of Digital Teaching and Learning, where she supports school connectivity, digital learning initiatives and digital citizenship efforts across the state. A... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning

11:00am EDT

From Compliance to Culture

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

From LMS compliance training to PD and PLCs, educator learning is often passive and inefficient. This session introduces the C.A.R.E. Framework and R.E.D.E.S.I.G.N. Model, showing how AI can support redesign work. Participants leave with practical, usable strategies to improve learning systems.

Speakers

Mandy Armstrong

Digital Systems and Learning Coordinator/Records Compliance Officer, Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf

I wear many hats at the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf. I have expertise in policy development, compliance training, staff development, and the strategic use of AI to improve efficiency and strengthen systems. With a focus on practical application and engagement, I specialize... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Arrowhead AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning

11:00am EDT

NCEES Tools: Lead and Build Capacity

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session equips evaluators with NCEES resources and training templates to streamline staff evaluations. Participants will explore evidence-based questions to provide actionable feedback and customize templates for district-specific needs, ultimately fostering educator growth

Speakers

Jennifer Bass

NCDPI NCEES Consultant, NC Department of Public Instruction

Jennifer has been working as an educator in NC for 34 years in a variety of school, district and state level roles, ranging from elementary teacher and instructional coach, school administrator, district level elementary coach, DPI Professional Development Coordinator and Regional... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Morehead Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels | Coaches & SLMC, All Levels

11:00am EDT

Attendance Kiosk/Hall Pass Workflow

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session provides a comprehensive look at setting up and managing electronic hall passes to improve school safety and minimize classroom disruptions. Participants will learn how to configure administrator settings, establish time limits, and navigate the teacher dashboard to monitor active student movement in real-time.

Speakers

Jennifer Chapman

Student Information Systems Trainer, Cumberland County Schools

Jennifer Chapman is the SIS Trainer for Cumberland County Schools. This is her 3rd year presenting at the NCED Connect Conference. I have worked for Cumberland County Schools for 22 year.

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Blue Ashe Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

11:00am EDT

Excelerate Your Day - Intermediate

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Victoria Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

Elevate your data management skills in this intermediate-level session, "Excelerate Your Daily Experience." Designed for those looking to move beyond spreadsheet basics, this workshop focuses on practical, advanced techniques to streamline your data analysis and visualization workflows.

Speakers

Chris Bunting

Executive Director of Student Assignment and Information Systems, Johnston County Schools

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Victoria Ballroom B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, Intermediate | Leadership, Intermediate

11:00am EDT

TIMS & Infinite Campus

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

TIMS & Infinite Campus will provide an overview of the data interactions between the two systems; from managing student bus requests in Campus to importing TIMS Bus Assignments onto student transportation pages.

Speakers

Kevin Hart

TIMS Program Manager, NCSU-ITRE

Kevin Hart is an NCSU-ITRE Program Manager for the statewide Transportation Information Management System (TIMS). Kevin holds a Masters Degree in Applied Social Research and has been a TIMS Project Leader since 2008.

Drew McGomery

TIMS Project Leader, TIMS Support

Drew McGomery is the TIMS Project Leader from UNC-Charlotte, specializing in TIMS School Bus Routing and Student Data Management between Campus and TIMS

Thursday October 1, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Tanglewood Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

1:00pm EDT

Differentiation Made Doable with BriskAI

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover how Brisk AI can make differentiation more manageable and engaging. Participants will explore real classroom applications, create differentiated instructional materials, and choose between two learning pathways: creating content with Brisk Next or exploring student-facing learning supports with Brisk Boost.

Speakers

Kalo Haslem

Instructional Tech Facilitator, Harnett County Schools

I am an educational professional with extensive experience developing and implementing multidimensional lessons across a variety of content areas and digital tools. As an ISTE Certified EdTech Leader, I specialize in thoughtfully integrating technology into instruction to strengthen... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Meadowbrook Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

1:00pm EDT

Wouldn't That Work for Everyone?

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Ever wonder what the Department of Adult Correction can teach us about universal K-12 success? This high-energy session will unlock personalized strategies that foster learner agency for ALL students. We'll dive into real-world scenarios and share resources that you can immediately adapt to transform instruction across your school or district!

Speakers

Lauren Boucher

Consultant, NCDPI

Lauren Boucher has been in public education for 20 years. She has taught 3rd grade, gifted education in grades K-8, and was a district level Digital Teaching and Learning Coach for more than 8 years. She joined the NCDPI as the Southeast Digital Teaching & Learning Consultant in January... Read More →

Jennifer Graham

NC Regional Consultant, NCDPI

Jennifer Graham is the North Central Digital Teaching and Learning Consultant with NCDPI and she is a passionate advocate for engaging, learner-centered professional development. With 29 years of experience in a North Carolina school district, she has served as a teacher, instructional... Read More →

Niki Garrou

School Interventionist, NCDAC

Ms. Garrou is a Title 1 Interventionist at Foothills Correctional Institution with 2 and a half years of experience teaching in the Department of Adult Correction. For most of her teaching career, she taught exceptional children at the middle and high school level. She started teaching... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Arrowhead AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

1:00pm EDT

Meet Claude Cowork: AI for Education

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover Claude Cowork... An AI desktop assistant that doesn't just answer questions, it gets things done. Through live demos and real audience participation, this session shows educators, coaches, tech staff, and administrators exactly how AI can save time and reduce repetitive tasks in their daily work.

Speakers

Kenneth Josef

Network Specialist, Cumberland County Schools

Kenneth Josef is a Network Specialist and Digital Learning Innovator with Cumberland County Schools, an Air Force veteran, and an advocate for the practical use of AI in K–12 education. A former fifth-grade teacher with a master’s degree in education, he combines classroom experience... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Biltmore AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning | NCSIS, Beginning

1:00pm EDT

Drone Soccer: Future-Ready STEM Learning

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom F

Limited Capacity seats available

Participants will examine how Drone Soccer can transform student engagement through hands-on STEM learning. Through demonstrations and real-world examples, attendees will explore implementation strategies, funding opportunities, and student outcomes that make Drone Soccer a powerful tool for developing future-ready learners.

Speakers

Anthony Woodyard

Chief Information Officer, Asheboro City Schools

Anthony Woodyard serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Asheboro City Schools in North Carolina. In this role, he oversees the district's technology infrastructure and innovation initiatives. Previously, he held the position of Director of Technology and Innovation, where... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom F Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning

1:00pm EDT

E-Rate Roadmap: Crossing the Finish Line

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

The journey doesn't end when funding is approved. This session focuses on post-funding activities, including implementation, service substitutions, invoicing, audits, record retention, and preparing for the next funding cycle. Join a panel discussion filled with practical advice, audience Q&A, and lessons learned from the road.

Speakers

Adam Benjamin

School Connectivity Coordinator, NCDPI

Sue Boros

State E-Rate Coordinator, Department of Public Instruction

What shall we talk about? Our families, our hobbies, football or E-Rate? I'm game.

Sabrina Steigelman

State E-Rate Coordinator, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Dr. Sabrina Steigelman serves as the State E-Rate Coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Office of Digital Teaching and Learning, where she supports school connectivity, digital learning initiatives and digital citizenship efforts across the state. A... Read More →

Chris Whitlock

School Connectivity Coordinator, NCDPI

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Turnberry Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

1:00pm EDT

Clean Up on Aisle 9: Fixing Tech Chaos

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Technology systems often feel fragmented, leaving districts stuck in reactive “fix-it” mode. In this interactive session, participants will explore how to align IT, instructional technology, SIS, and STEM into a cohesive framework, using real-world scenarios and practical tools to improve communication, clarify roles, and build actionable plans.

Speakers

Katherine Bendell

Director of Technology, Richmond County Schools

Katherine Bendell is the Director of Technology for Richmond County Schools in North Carolina, where she leads district-wide initiatives in IT infrastructure, instructional technology, student information systems, and STEM. She specializes in building cohesive systems that align technology... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Blandwood Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

1:00pm EDT

DOPE Educators App!!!

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover how the DOPE Educator App helps educators save time, personalize learning, analyze data, create engaging lessons, and responsibly integrate AI into instruction through one powerful educational platform.

Speakers

Sid Lathan

DTL Coordinator, Harnett County Schools

Sid Lathan is an award-winning educator with over 30 years of service as a Mathematics teacher (grades 6–12), 6th-grade Science teacher, Instructional Technology Facilitator, Assistant Principal, and District Digital Teaching and Learning Coordinator. A two-time Teacher of the Year... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

1:00pm EDT

From AI Pilots to School Operations

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom A

Limited Capacity seats available

AI is becoming part of daily school IT operations. This session explores practical strategies for scaling AI-powered workflows using tools like Google Workspace, Apps Script, and AI automation. Attendees will examine real-world examples including help desk support, ticket management, onboarding workflows & operational automation for K–12 IT teams.

Speakers

Didar Hayytov

IT Director, Triad Math and Science Academy

I am an education technology professional focused on AI-powered operational systems, workflow automation, and Google Workspace solutions for K–12 schools. My work centers on helping school technology teams improve efficiency, streamline IT operations, and responsibly scale AI within... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom A Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Advanced | Coaches & SLMC, Advanced | Leadership, Advanced | NCSIS, Advanced

1:00pm EDT

Managing Up with the SIS

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Participants will collaboratively review key Infinite Campus functions, discuss common role confusion, and build a district-level flow chart that clearly defines responsibility and ownership. Attendees will leave with a shared framework to support consistency, accountability, and efficient system management.

Speakers

Tony Smith

Director of Educational Information Systems, Wayne County Public Schools

Tony started out as a third-grade teacher back in 2000, and started helping teachers and students use technology in the classroom. Over the years, he progressed through school and district-level positions, learning all facets of technology along the way. Now, in his third-year as... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Pebble Beach Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Intermediate | NCSIS, Intermediate | Coaches & SLMC, Intermediate | Leadership, Intermediate

2:00pm EDT

Architecting Engagement with Gemini

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

How can we use AI to make our classrooms more human centered? In this interactive workshop, explore how to utilize Gemini as a quick curriculum engine to tackle NC’s largest standard gaps. Instead of using AI to replace student thinking use it to grow soft skills and rigor. Bring your device for this prompt engineering lab.

Speakers

Heather Graves

Technology Teacher

Heather Graves is an innovative educator and CTE Teacher of the Year for Scotland High School who bridges the gap between industry design and classroom execution. Drawing from previous experience in architecture and a versatile teaching portfolio—including high school English, mathematics... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Colony C Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, All Levels | Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

2:00pm EDT

Aligned by Design: AI-Powered Units

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom GH

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore an AI-powered tool that helps build lessons and units aligned to state standards, Portrait of a Graduate competencies, and UDL accommodations. Whether starting from scratch or refining existing work, K–8 educators will leave with a completed, ready-to-use unit. Because the best lessons aren't generated, they're Aligned by Design.

Speakers

Heather Gerbus

Media Coordinator, East Forsyth Middle School

Working in education since 1999, Heather Gerbus brings a wealth of experience to every learning community she serves. Her career spans 19.5 years as a classroom teacher, time in student services under a federal grant, work as an instructional technology facilitator, and, currently... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom GH Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning

2:00pm EDT

Privacy in the Age of AI

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Privacy is still possible in an AI-driven world. This session explores how personal information is collected, shared, and used by data brokers and AI-powered technologies. Participants will learn practical strategies to protect privacy, reduce digital footprints, and strengthen student privacy and digital citizenship in schools.

Speakers

DIANE DULANEY

Privacy Specialist, NCDPI

Diane Dulaney is the Privacy Specialist at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and leads the agency’s efforts to safeguard student and staff data. She brings over a decade of experience in shaping privacy policy, ensuring compliance with FERPA, PPRA, and COPPA, and... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Biltmore AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | NCSIS, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

2:00pm EDT

What School is For: Same Mission, New Terrain

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Grounded in research and aligned to the NCDPI AI Guidelines, this session makes an optimistic case for embracing AI to enhance critical thinking, deepen human development, and lead from the mission that has always defined great education. Leave reconnected to the purpose that brought you to this work and ready to shape what comes next.

Speakers

Meredith Ward Hill

Emerging Technologies Consultant, NCDPI

Meredith Ward Hill serves as the Emerging Technologies Consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where she leads the state's AI education strategy for PK-13 public schools. Prior to this role, she served as a digital learning consultant, district media specialist... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Colony A Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, Beginning | Coaches & SLMC, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning

2:00pm EDT

Then and Now: How the 1970s Can Save You from a Modern Data Apocalypse

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session connects FERPA’s foundational privacy requirements to modern data security practices. Participants will learn how concepts like access, disclosure, control, and legitimate educational interest inform safeguards for cloud systems, vendors, AI, logging, and incident response.

Speakers

Brittani Fairchild

Ross Lemke

Director, Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), U.S. Department of Education

Ross Lemke serves as the manager for the Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) with over 10 years of experience providing TA around education data. He helps state and local education agencies, schools, districts and postsecondary institutions develop an understanding of FERPA... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Meadowbrook Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels | Educators, All Levels | Coaches & SLMC, All Levels

2:00pm EDT

Demystifying CTE Concentrator Status

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session provides a practical overview of how CTE concentrator status is calculated within the NCSIS. Participants will learn how key data elements and program requirements work together to determine concentrator outcomes, and will explore strategies for reviewing records, identifying data issues, and ensuring accurate CTE reporting.

Speakers

Nancy Cross

Misty Wolfe

Section Chief, NCDPI

Misty Wolfe is a section chief for the Office of Career and Technical Education at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction where she works with school districts across the state to implement high quality CTE programs of study. Misty’s areas of focus include CTE data... Read More →

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Grandover West Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, Beginning | Leadership, Beginning