NCED Connect Symposium Fall 2026

NCED Connect Symposium Fall 2026

10:00am EDT

LEADING THE WAY: AI Implementation

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore how Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools approaches AI with purpose and responsibility. Learn how the district built governance, engaged stakeholders, and used pilot programs to guide implementation. Gain practical strategies for scaling AI with a focus on data privacy, instruction, and workforce readiness.

Speakers

Rebecca Lehtinen

Rebecca Lehtinen is an experienced educational technology leader whose career spans classroom teaching and district leadership. She began as a second-grade teacher, where she saw how technology can spark curiosity and transform learning—an experience that continues to shape her... Read More →

Dr. Candace Salmon-Hosey

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Biltmore AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

10:00am EDT

Making Screen Time Purposeful

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

How do you know when technology is worth the screen time? In this interactive session, educators will explore practical, UDL-aligned strategies for intentional tech use. Using Adobe Express, participants will create a classroom-ready resource and leave with a clear plan for purposeful, inclusive learning.

Speakers

Allyson Medlin

District Digital Teaching & Learning, Davidson County Schools

This is my third year serving as a Digital Teaching & Learning Coach. I spent the previous 17 years in the classroom in the elementary setting before moving into this position. Technology has always been a passion of mine. My goal is to help teachers intentionally use technology in... Read More →

Libby Moretz

ITF, Davidson County Schools

Libby is a seasoned digital learning coach with more than a decade of experience partnering with students and educators to create engaging, meaningful learning experiences. She is a certified K–12 Spanish teacher with both in-person and virtual classroom experience. Her work is... Read More →

Sue Tobin

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

10:00am EDT

E-Rate Roadmap: Mapping Your Route to Funding Success

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am 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.

Chris Whitlock

School Connectivity Coordinator, NCDPI

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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Turnberry Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

10:00am EDT

NCEES Checkpoint: Where Are We Now?

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Now is the perfect time to ensure your NCEES system is set up for success. This practical "Check Point" will walk you through a step-by-step review of your live system. We will check assigned plans and explore reports to quickly identify plan status, verify staff locations, and ensure proper peer observer and mentor rights are given, and more.

Speakers

Donna Currie

NCEES and OER Product Manager, NCDPI

Donna Currie is the NCEES and OER Product Manager at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). With more than 29 years of experience in education, she has held various roles, including Digital Subscription and Technology Analyst, Teacher, Instructional Technology... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Morehead Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

10:00am EDT

TIMS & Infinite Campus

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am 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

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Sandpiper Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

11:00am EDT

Beyond the Battle: STEM QUEST

Tuesday September 29, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores a STEM literacy model that pairs reading with engineering design challenges. Students read, collaborate, and solve problems using hands-on tools and robotics. Participants will examine a scalable approach that increases engagement, builds computational thinking, and gets students excited about reading.

Speakers

Nancy Cravey

Library Media Services Director, Guilford County Schools

Nancy Cravey is the Director of Library Media Services for Guilford County Schools. She has served students for over 25 years on the elementary, middle, high school and district level. She is passionate about creating engaging, dynamic, and equitable school library spaces for all... Read More →

Maghan Luka

Brad Rhew

Tuesday September 29, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Arrowhead AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

11:00am EDT

Evaluating Instructional Support Roles

Tuesday September 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

Come ready to build, explore, and create. You will leave with a completed notebook, practical workflows, and fresh ideas you can use right away with students, staff, and school leaders.

Speakers

Dr. Kisha Bryant

Pachovia Lovett

Pachovia Lovett is the State School Social Work Consultant at the NC Department of Public Instruction. As a part of the NC Healthy Schools team, she uses a whole child approach while working with school social workers and directors of student services across the state to develop and... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

12:00pm EDT

Attendance Kiosk/Hall Pass Workflow

Tuesday September 29, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm 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.

Tuesday September 29, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Grandover East Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

1:00pm EDT

Safety on the World Wide Web

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm 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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Carolina Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

1:00pm EDT

AI and Information Security in education

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm 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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Educators, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

1:00pm EDT

FERPA 101

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

Presented by the U.S. Department of Education’s PTAC, the session will explain the fundamentals of FERPA, clarify responsibilities, and explore how the law applies in real-world educational settings. Participants will gain knowledge of student privacy requirements and practical guidance for recognizing and addressing FERPA-related situations.

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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

1:00pm EDT

Leading with Purpose for SLMC Success!

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover practical strategies for empowering School Library Media Coordinators through intentional leadership and support systems. Explore real-world examples of communication, mentoring, professional learning, and organizational structures, and leave with ideas and resources to build a thriving network of library professionals in your district.

Speakers

Amanda Moose

Director of Digital & Media Literacy, Catawba County Schools

Amanda Moose, a National Board Certified educator, has dedicated over two decades to public education and media literacy. She currently serves as the Director of Digital and Media Literacy for Catawba County Schools in Western North Carolina. Her career with Catawba County Schools... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Colony A Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

2:00pm EDT

Double Dare you to Engage, Not just Sage

Tuesday September 29, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Do YOU have the guts? Then step up, suit up (metaphorically, of course... no poncho required), and get ready for a high-energy, no-tech, slime-free session where you’ll race through a series of brain-friendly, classroom-ready physical challenges designed to fire up adult learners just like students. Inspired by the wild world of Nickelodeon’s Double Dare, this session dares you to go beyond sit-and-get and experience professional learning and classroom learning that’s as memorable as a pie to the face (but with less clean-up). You won’t just talk about active learning; you’ll do it: toss, write, move, shout, reflect, and walk away with real strategies you can use in your building tomorrow morning. Each “challenge” is rooted in research-backed learning science. Whether you’re launching a Paper Airplane, Getting Slimed, Cootie Catcher- Catch Up, every move you make is a step closer to winning the final obstacle: PD and learning that actually sticks. You in? I Double Dare You.

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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Arrowhead AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

2:00pm EDT

E-Rate Roadmap: Navigating the Funding Lane

Tuesday September 29, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm 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

Tuesday September 29, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Turnberry Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

2:00pm EDT

NCEES System Check and Clean Up

Tuesday September 29, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn how to clear out digital clutter and protect your NCEES platform. This session provides a quick, practical guide to verifying evaluation plans, identifying former staff, and auditing administrative privileges to ensure your district's system stays secure, accurate, and efficient.

Speakers

Donna Currie

NCEES and OER Product Manager, NCDPI

Donna Currie is the NCEES and OER Product Manager at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). With more than 29 years of experience in education, she has held various roles, including Digital Subscription and Technology Analyst, Teacher, Instructional Technology... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Morehead Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

Beyond Bots: AI Ethics IS InfoLit&DigCit

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom C

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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom C Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

Architecting Engagement with Gemini

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

3:00pm EDT

Coffee & Candor with Dr. Wrenn

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom GH

Limited Capacity seats available

Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and join our State CIO and fellow technology leaders for an open, candid conversation. Coffee and Candor is an informal, interactive forum designed to encourage honest dialogue around today’s most pressing technology topics—including cybersecurity threats, technology priorities and needs, emerging solutions, and key legislative bills impacting our work.

This session is intentionally unscripted and slide-free, creating space for meaningful discussion, shared insights, and real connection. Bring your questions, perspectives, and challenges, or simply listen and learn as peers and state leadership exchange ideas in a relaxed setting. Whether you’re looking to spark collaboration or gain clarity on what’s ahead, this conversation is built on transparency, trust, and community.

Speakers

Vanessa Wrenn

Chief Information Officer, NCDPI

Senior Executive Director

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom GH Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

E-Rate Roadmap: Crossing the Finish Line

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm 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

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Turnberry Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

Tiered Support for NCEES Success

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Transform NCEES from a compliance chore into a powerful growth engine! Discover New Hanover County Schools’ tiered framework for supporting all employees, beginning teachers, and new APs. Interact with real-world scenarios and leave with a toolkit of timelines and templates to use in your district.

Speakers

Katie Fink

Dr. Katie Fink serves at the BT Support and Evaluation Specialist for New Hanover County Schools and has been in the position for 5 years. Prior to taking on that role, she served as a classroom teacher and Assistant Principal, also in NHCS.

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Morehead Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

Accessibility for ALL!

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom A

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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom A Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

3:00pm EDT

ML/Title III Framework: Aligning Systems

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom F

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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom F Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

4:00pm EDT

Picture Books: Big Ideas. Big Impact.

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Join this interactive K–12 session to discover how picture books can spark curiosity, creativity, inquiry, and collaboration across any content area. Participants will explore hands-on strategies, connect stories to big ideas and standards, and leave with ready-to-use ways to make learning engaging, accessible, and memorable.

Speakers

Susanne Mullis

Media Coordinator, Pitt County/D. H. Conley High School

Susanne Mullis is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience and is currently serving as a high school media coordinator. Passionate about providing all students with equitable access to literacy, STEAM, and technology, she champions impactful collaborations across schools... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Biltmore AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

4:00pm EDT

Read to Rise: A Reading Challenge

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm 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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Colony A Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

4:00pm EDT

FERPA 201

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive session challenges participants to apply their FERPA knowledge to real-world student privacy scenarios. Through audience discussion and Q&A, PTAC will explore complex FERPA issues, clarify common questions, and highlight how context shapes privacy decisions.

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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

4:00pm EDT

NCEES Tools: Lead and Build Capacity

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm 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 →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Morehead Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels | Coaches & SLMC, All Levels

4:00pm EDT

From Data to Action with Infinite Campus

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

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

Tuesday September 29, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Blue Ashe Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

9:00am EDT

Cybersecurity: You Make Your Own Luck

Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

This session examines why some schools experience cyber incidents while others avoid them. PTAC experts will highlight attacker goals, cybersecurity trends, and practical best practices, including MFA, that schools can use to strengthen defenses and reduce risk.

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 →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

9:00am EDT

Rigor, Engagement, and Personalization!

Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

Tired of checked out students or students looking for AI shortcuts? We will dive into rigorous, high-yield strategies that move students from "doing the work" to "loving the learning." Whether you want to add student voice and choice, design AI-resistant tasks, or get some “use tomorrow” quick wins, you'll get an idea for your own context!

Speakers

Katie Bogle

Instructional Coach

Katie Bogle is a veteran educator, having served in North Carolina public schools for 30 years. Retired from full time teaching in 2026, she now serves as an educational consultant and instructional coach, helping K-12 educators enhance their teaching practices. She is a self-described... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

9:00am EDT

Tiered Support for NCEES Success

Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Transform NCEES from a compliance chore into a powerful growth engine! Discover New Hanover County Schools’ tiered framework for supporting all employees, beginning teachers, and new APs. Interact with real-world scenarios and leave with a toolkit of timelines and templates to use in your district.

Speakers

Katie Fink

Dr. Katie Fink serves at the BT Support and Evaluation Specialist for New Hanover County Schools and has been in the position for 5 years. Prior to taking on that role, she served as a classroom teacher and Assistant Principal, also in NHCS.

Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Morehead Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

10:00am EDT

Work Smarter with Gemini and Gemini Notebook

Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

Is instruction in your school teaching the topic or the standard? Learn how to prompt Gemini and Gemini Notebook to turn state unpacking documents into instructional partners that do the heavy lifting of curriculum analysis. Learn to leverage AI to ensure lessons are engaging, scaffolded for ML students, and exactly what students are required to master.

Speakers

Katie Bogle

Instructional Coach

Katie Bogle is a veteran educator, having served in North Carolina public schools for 30 years. Retired from full time teaching in 2026, she now serves as an educational consultant and instructional coach, helping K-12 educators enhance their teaching practices. She is a self-described... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom E 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: Crossing the Finish Line

Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am 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

Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Turnberry Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

10:00am EDT

NCEES Checkpoint: Where Are We Now?

Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Now is the perfect time to ensure your NCEES system is set up for success. This practical "Check Point" will walk you through a step-by-step review of your live system. We will check assigned plans and explore reports to quickly identify plan status, verify staff locations, and ensure proper peer observer and mentor rights are given, and more.

Speakers

Donna Currie

NCEES and OER Product Manager, NCDPI

Donna Currie is the NCEES and OER Product Manager at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). With more than 29 years of experience in education, she has held various roles, including Digital Subscription and Technology Analyst, Teacher, Instructional Technology... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Morehead Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

10:00am EDT

Incident Response Plan Workshop

Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Join the K-12 Cybersecurity Program team for an overview of the PSU Incident Response Toolkit. Our team will break down the components of the toolkit and guide you step by step with how to consume and utilize it effectively in your PSU.

Speakers

Sammie Carter

Chris Hovis

Jason Shirley

IT Consultant, MCNC

Jason Shirley joined MCNC in 2018 and currently serves as a Managing Consultant. In this role, Jason leads MCNC's Vital Cyber Consulting team, providing a range of security consulting services to help clients address their cybersecurity challenges.Jason graduated from North Carolina... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Colony B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

11:00am EDT

IMPACT: From Guidance to Action

Wednesday September 30, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom C

Limited Capacity seats available

The revised IMPACT Guidelines are out in the world—now what? Join librarians and leaders from across North Carolina to explore early successes, engage with implementation resources and strategies, and help inform what comes next.

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 →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom C Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

11:00am EDT

AI-Resilient Projects: Slides to Vids

Wednesday September 30, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Imperial Ballroom E

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you wonder if the projects your students create are largely pasted from the internet or AI? Learn to use the familiar platform of Google Slides as a storyboard, scaffolding student thinking. Then, transition the storyboard into Google Vids, a powerful tool for producing narrated demonstrations of learning. Leave with templates ready to use now.

Speakers

Katie Bogle

Instructional Coach

Katie Bogle is a veteran educator, having served in North Carolina public schools for 30 years. Retired from full time teaching in 2026, she now serves as an educational consultant and instructional coach, helping K-12 educators enhance their teaching practices. She is a self-described... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Imperial Ballroom E Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

11:00am EDT

NCEES Tools: Lead and Build Capacity

Wednesday September 30, 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 →

Wednesday September 30, 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

From Data to Action with Infinite Campus

Wednesday September 30, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

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

Wednesday September 30, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Grandover East Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

1:00pm EDT

LEADING THE WAY: AI Implementation

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom F

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore how Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools approaches AI with purpose and responsibility. Learn how the district built governance, engaged stakeholders, and used pilot programs to guide implementation. Gain practical strategies for scaling AI with a focus on data privacy, instruction, and workforce readiness.

Speakers

Rebecca Lehtinen

Rebecca Lehtinen is an experienced educational technology leader whose career spans classroom teaching and district leadership. She began as a second-grade teacher, where she saw how technology can spark curiosity and transform learning—an experience that continues to shape her... Read More →

Dr. Candace Salmon-Hosey

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom F Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

1:00pm EDT

E-Rate Roadmap: Navigating the Funding Lane

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm 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

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Turnberry Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

1:00pm EDT

Vetting Educational Technology

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores how schools can evaluate educational technology for student privacy protections and FERPA compliance. Participants will learn how to interpret Terms of Service agreements, assess vendor practices, and make informed decisions when using apps and online services.

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 →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom B Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

1:00pm EDT

Clean Up on Aisle 9: Fixing Tech Chaos

Wednesday September 30, 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 →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Arrowhead AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

1:00pm EDT

ML/Title III Framework: Aligning Systems

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm 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 →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Carolina Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

2:00pm EDT

Beyond the Battle: STEM QUEST

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores a STEM literacy model that pairs reading with engineering design challenges. Students read, collaborate, and solve problems using hands-on tools and robotics. Participants will examine a scalable approach that increases engagement, builds computational thinking, and gets students excited about reading.

Speakers

Nancy Cravey

Library Media Services Director, Guilford County Schools

Nancy Cravey is the Director of Library Media Services for Guilford County Schools. She has served students for over 25 years on the elementary, middle, high school and district level. She is passionate about creating engaging, dynamic, and equitable school library spaces for all... Read More →

Maghan Luka

Brad Rhew

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Meadowbrook Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Coaches & SLMC, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

2:00pm EDT

NCEES System Check and Clean Up

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn how to clear out digital clutter and protect your NCEES platform. This session provides a quick, practical guide to verifying evaluation plans, identifying former staff, and auditing administrative privileges to ensure your district's system stays secure, accurate, and efficient.

Speakers

Donna Currie

NCEES and OER Product Manager, NCDPI

Donna Currie is the NCEES and OER Product Manager at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). With more than 29 years of experience in education, she has held various roles, including Digital Subscription and Technology Analyst, Teacher, Instructional Technology... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Morehead Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

E-Rate Roadmap: Mapping Your Route to Funding Success

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm 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

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Turnberry Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

Leading with Purpose for SLMC Success!

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover practical strategies for empowering School Library Media Coordinators through intentional leadership and support systems. Explore real-world examples of communication, mentoring, professional learning, and organizational structures, and leave with ideas and resources to build a thriving network of library professionals in your district.

Speakers

Amanda Moose

Director of Digital & Media Literacy, Catawba County Schools

Amanda Moose, a National Board Certified educator, has dedicated over two decades to public education and media literacy. She currently serves as the Director of Digital and Media Literacy for Catawba County Schools in Western North Carolina. Her career with Catawba County Schools... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Colony A Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

Attendance Kiosk/Hall Pass Workflow

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm 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.

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Guilford D Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

TIMS & Infinite Campus

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm 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

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Tanglewood Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

NCSIS, All Levels | Leadership, All Levels

3:00pm EDT

The Tech Playground: Empowering Creators

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Grab your Creator Passport and step into the Tech Playground! Explore STEM tools, makerspace resources, and Canvas learning pathways through self-paced challenges. Then redesign a lesson that transforms students from technology consumers into creators.

Speakers

Kelley Gerstenmier

Instructional Technology Facilitator, Franklin County Schools

Kelley Gerstenmier is a dedicated and forward-thinking educator with more than 19 years of experience in public education, serving students and educators across all grade levels. As an Instructional Technology Facilitator, she partners with teachers to integrate technology in purposeful... Read More →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Arrowhead AB Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

3:00pm EDT

Accessibility for ALL!

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom A

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 →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom A Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

3:00pm EDT

From "Pass Go" to Podcast Building the Ultimate Google Notebook

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Imperial Ballroom F

Limited Capacity seats available

Pass Go, collect your sources, and start building with Google Notebook, formerly NotebookLM!
In this fast-paced, hands-on session, participants will create a notebook using PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, and Google Docs, then put those sources to work. You will practice asking focused questions, uncovering key ideas, checking citations, and turning information into practical resources. A game-board challenge will guide you through the experience, adding a fun and collaborative twist as you explore Audio Overviews, study guides, briefing documents, lesson plans, and other customized materials.
Come ready to build, explore, and create. You will leave with a completed notebook, practical workflows, and fresh ideas you can use right away with students, staff, and school leaders.

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 →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Imperial Ballroom F Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

4:00pm EDT

Architecting Engagement with Gemini

Wednesday September 30, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm 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 →

Wednesday September 30, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Blandwood Koury Convention Center 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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