Sunrise French Toast Breakfast Buffet - French Toast with hot syrups (sugar free will be available), scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, and assortment of fresh fruit. Coffee, hot tea, and juice will be available.
Friday October 23, 2026 7:30am - 8:00am CDT Gallery 7
Chief Technology and Information Officer, SWWC Service Cooperative
I am the Chief Technology and Information Officer for SWWC Service Cooperative. My service to the members of SWWC began in May 2003 following my graduation from Dakota State University. I currently oversee all technical services and programs offered by SWWC, and also provide leadership... Read More →
Friday October 23, 2026 8:00am - 8:15am CDT Gallery 7
Educational technology professionals are navigating an unprecedented era of change. From cybersecurity threats and artificial intelligence to funding uncertainties, staffing shortages, political polarization, and increasing scrutiny of technology's role in education, it can be difficult to stay focused on the mission that brought us to this work in the first place: creating opportunities for students to learn, grow, and thrive.
Legendary marathon runner Dick Beardsley will share a remarkable journey of perseverance, resilience, and purpose. Known worldwide for his iconic duel with Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon, Dick reached the pinnacle of athletic achievement only to face a series of personal hardships, setbacks, and challenges that tested his resolve far beyond the racecourse.
Through stories of triumph, adversity, loss, and recovery, Dick will offer a perspective that resonates deeply with today's educational technology leaders. His experiences remind us that obstacles are inevitable, but they do not define us. Instead, our character is revealed by how we respond, adapt, and continue moving forward when the path ahead is uncertain.
Attendees will leave inspired to embrace change, remain grounded in their purpose, and lead with resilience during challenging times. Dick's message serves as a powerful reminder that while the tools, technologies, and circumstances around us will continue to evolve, our commitment to serving students and preparing the next generation of leaders must remain unwavering.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
In this session, we will explore what makes a modern classroom function with the wide ranging types of technology and needs that teachers and students have to learn in our current day. We will explore interactive displays, classroom audio, digital signage, and wireless casting as the four key elements that schools are updating and implementing to impact teaching learning. We will also explore other areas and topics and open the floor to discussion. New interactive displays and how you can update your existing fleet; How wireless casting can simplify and get you connected not just to the device; Classroom audio isn’t just about amplifying the teachers voice, but now how it integrates with emergency alerts and provides quick access to support; How digital signage is changing how schools represent themselves while also keeping everyone safe
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Leadership;Technology Systems and User Support;Technology Integration
Friday October 23, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT Gallery 1
Device management is no longer just about knowing what you have. It is about using accurate, timely data to make better decisions around refresh cycles, support needs, budgeting, and long-term planning. In this session, we will explore how K-12 technology teams can move from basic inventory tracking to a more proactive lifecycle management strategy. Using district examples and insights from DICE, a device intelligence and lifecycle management platform designed to help schools track inventory, monitor fleet health, and plan for future technology investments, attendees will see how device data can provide better visibility into fleet status, longevity, and planning priorities. We will also discuss how emerging AI-enhanced insights can help technology leaders identify trends, reduce uncertainty, and build stronger device strategies. Attendees will be invited to share feedback on the tools, processes, and capabilities they would find most valuable in the future of K-12 device management, creating an interactive discussion focused on practical outcomes and continuous improvement.
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Leadership;Technology Systems and User Support;Cybersecurity
Cory Klinge is a seasoned educational and technology leader, and is currently the Director of Pre-Sales Engineering at Trafera. Formerly the Director of Technology at Richfield Public Schools in Minnesota, Cory led the district through a digital transformation, implementing a robust... Read More →
AI Literacy does not have to be taught in a separate unit or be an added burden to teachers. AI Literacy should not only be taught by a specialist, such as a STEM or computer teacher. In this session, teachers from any grade level or content area will explore simple, practical ways to embed AI Literacy into lessons and units they already teach. Participants will consider how small instructional moves can help teachers and students apply human judgement to AI while using tools safely, ethically and effectively. Teachers will leave with adaptable strategies they can use right away in their classrooms.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
Technology Integration Program Coordinator, SWWC Service Cooperative
David is the Technology Integration Program Coordinator at SWWC, where he leads and supports technology integration efforts across member and organizational schools. He manages a team of technology integration specialists working in the field, ensuring they have the tools and guidance... Read More →
Friday October 23, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT Gallery 4
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping education at a pace never seen before, unlocking new possibilities for personalized learning, accelerating teacher productivity, and transforming how students engage with content. But with this innovation comes a new set of challenges: safeguarding students in an AI powered world, ensuring responsible use, and maintaining visibility across increasingly complex digital ecosystems. In this session, we will explore how AI is fundamentally changing the instructional landscape and why modern security platforms must evolve just as quickly. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how iboss has embraced advanced AI technologies to deliver real time protection, intelligent content filtering, and deep visibility that empower districts to stay ahead of emerging risks.You’ll see how AI driven security can enhance, not hinder, teaching and learning by enabling safe access to dynamic digital resources, supporting innovative instructional models, and giving educators confidence to explore new tools without compromising student safety. This session will highlight practical examples, K–12 specific use cases, and actionable insights that technology leaders can bring back to their districts immediately.This conversation will illuminate how AI can be both a catalyst for transformation and a guardian of student well being, when paired with the right platform.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
Waubun Public Schools implemented the American Time EverAlert Notification System to strengthen school safety, improve emergency communication, and provide consistent campus-wide messaging. The system integrates with 3CX and enables administrators to instantly deliver visual and audible alerts during emergencies such as severe weather, lockdowns, fire alarms, or other critical situations, helping ensure that students, staff, and visitors receive clear instructions in real time. In addition to emergency notifications, EverAlert supports daily communications, synchronized timekeeping, announcements, and scheduling, creating a more efficient and connected learning environment. By adopting this technology, Waubun Public Schools enhanced its ability to communicate quickly, accurately, and effectively while promoting a safer school community.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
Want to know the ins and out of the E-Rate program? If so, then this session is for you! Join us as we profice a detailed overview of the E-Rate program as well as the challenges the program is currently facing. We will go through the coming changes within the program and the types of information required for E-Rate funding.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
Great IT support is about more than fixing technology—it's about supporting people. In this session, we'll share real-world lessons and practical strategies for improving communication, building trust, managing expectations, and creating positive support experiences in K-12 schools. Attendees will leave with simple customer service techniques that can be implemented immediately to strengthen relationships with staff and improve overall technology support.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
Senior Technology Coordinator, SWWC Service Cooperative
Mike Carter is an experienced school technology professional with a strong background in K–12 IT operations, infrastructure, and support services. He works closely with IT staff and leadership teams to implement practical systems that improve efficiency, communication, and service... Read More →
We’ll cover the key stages of the Chromebook lifecycle, including long-term purchasing strategy, repairability, device value and longevity, warranty considerations, and other factors that help districts make smarter Chromebook decisions.
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Leadership;Technology Systems and User Support
Don't Start With the App. Too often, technology integration starts with a tool: What can we do with this app? This session flips that approach. Instead, educators will start by identifying the cognitive action they want from students—retrieving, predicting, explaining, comparing, organizing, discussing, or applying—and then choose technology that strengthens that thinking. Using practical classroom examples and activities from the Spark-Wire-Fire framework (https://crushschool.com/spark-wire-fire-framework), participants will see how the same tool can either produce digital busywork or create a more engaging, memorable, and meaningful learning experience depending on how the task is designed. We will examine common technology-based assignments, identify what students are actually being asked to think about, and redesign them around stronger learning processes. Participants will leave with a simple planning framework they can use with any app or platform: learning goal → cognitive action → activity → technology. The result is technology integration driven by learning, not by the latest tool.
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Leadership;Technology Integration
Attacks get all the attention, but what happens after a breach is just as critical. In this session, we'll step into the shoes of an incident responder using Velociraptor, a free open-source DFIR tool. You'll see how analysts collect evidence from a compromised endpoint, spot signs of malicious activity, and reconstruct a timeline of what happened.
Target audience identified by presenter: Cybersecurity ;All Conference Attendees;Technology Leadership;Technology Systems and User Support;Network Support ;Technology Integration
HPE Self-Driving Networks leverage agentic AI, digital twins, and Large Experience Models (LEMs) to create an autonomous infrastructure that self-optimizes, self-protects, and self-heals in real time, eliminating manual troubleshooting. The platform enables proactive assurance, dynamic capacity optimization, and autonomous operations, resulting in a 75% reduction in support tickets and enhanced security, as demonstrated by real world environments. By shifting IT operations from reactive firefighting to proactive management, organizations can prioritize strategic innovation. You can learn more about this technology on the HPE website or by contacting your Marco rep.
Target audience identified by presenter: Network Support ;Technology Systems and User Support;Technology Leadership;Cybersecurity
Innovation doesn't always require a massive budget or a whole team. Problems come up where the question is asked: "I wish I had a part like this to solve this problem." It starts with a single idea or problem and a 3D printer! Join this session to explore how you can use additive manufacturing to solve problems, increase agility, and create solutions that would be difficult or impossible using traditional methods. Through examples and practical guidance, attendees will learn how 3D printing can become a catalyst for innovation and solutions across technology departments.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
Noah Johnson brings a unique blend of education and public safety experience to the intersection of technology and community service. After spending seven years in K-12 education leading cybersecurity initiatives across four school districts, Noah transitioned to municipal government... Read More →
Friday October 23, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT Gallery 5
Every new app or tool your teachers want to use raises the same question: is it safe for student data? Multiply that across hundreds of tools in a district, and privacy compliance can feel impossible to keep up with. This session introduces ROVER, the product review tool built by SWWC Service Cooperative to help district tech teams take the guesswork out of vetting ed-tech products. Including how it works, what a typical review looks like, and a look at how effective privacy policies really are. Come for practical takeaways, leave with a lighter to-do list.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
The Smokehouse Brisket Lunch Buffet: Smoked Beef Brisket, Grilled BBQ Chicken, Cocktail Buns, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, and Potato Chips. And it wouldn't be the 20th Anniversary of IT2 without CAKE! Dessert will feature a Shortcake station, build you own shortcake creation and celebrate 20 years of innovation and collaboration with us!
Friday October 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm CDT Gallery 7
The Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL®) certification has become a respected benchmark for technology leaders who are committed to advancing innovation, leadership, and strategic impact in education. But what is the certification process really like, and how has earning the credential influenced the careers of those who hold it?
Join a panel of CETL-certified education technology leaders representing K-12 schools and educational service agencies as they share their personal journeys toward certification. Panelists will offer perspectives ranging from those who have held the CETL credential for more than a decade to leaders who earned their certification in the past couple of months.
Through candid discussion and audience Q&A, attendees will gain insight into preparing for the certification process, balancing professional responsibilities with study and professional growth, the evolving role of educational technology leadership, and the lasting value of the CETL credential. Whether you are actively pursuing certification, considering it for the future, or simply interested in learning from experienced technology leaders, this session will provide practical advice, inspiration, and real-world perspectives from professionals who have successfully navigated the journey.
Key Takeaways: - Learn why education technology leaders pursue CETL certification. - Understand how the certification process has evolved over time. - Gain practical preparation strategies from successful CETL recipients. - Discover how the credential has influenced leadership opportunities and professional growth. - Connect with a community of education technology leaders committed to continuous learning and excellence.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
Chief Technology and Information Officer, SWWC Service Cooperative
I am the Chief Technology and Information Officer for SWWC Service Cooperative. My service to the members of SWWC began in May 2003 following my graduation from Dakota State University. I currently oversee all technical services and programs offered by SWWC, and also provide leadership... Read More →
Build your confidence and capacity with artificial intelligence through Google and ISTE’s AI literacy training for educators. This interactive session will introduce participants to the program’s educator-centered approach, including practical ways AI can support student learning, address common problems of practice, and reduce administrative workload. Participants will explore the structure and resources of the training, begin engaging with course content, and consider how tools such as Gemini can support their professional practice. Leave with resources, practical next steps, and a pathway toward earning Google AI literacy micro-credentials.
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Integration;Technology Leadership
Jeremy Mikla is an Instructional Technology Specialist with extensive experience supporting PK–12 educators in the effective and ethical integration of emerging technologies. He regularly presents at regional and statewide conferences on topics such as AI in education, instructional... Read More →
Friday October 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT Gallery 2
Tech-Rich Doesn't Always Mean Learning-Rich. Putting an assignment on a screen does not automatically make it better instruction. In this interactive session, participants will experience the difference between technology that simply digitizes traditional classroom work and technology that actually improves how students think, engage, remember, and apply learning. Using the new AI-powered Snorkl digital canvas (snorkl.app) alongside classroom-tested activities from my Spark-Wire-Fire framework (https://crushschool.com/spark-wire-fire-framework), we will take traditional instructional tasks and redesign them using principles from cognitive science and active learning. Participants will see how small changes—such as adding prediction, retrieval, explanation, comparison, and application—can turn passive digital tasks into meaningful learning experiences. Rather than focusing on the latest app or tool, this session gives educators a practical way to evaluate technology by asking a more important question: How is this technology actually making students think about and process the concepts they are learning? Participants will leave with adaptable strategies they can use across subjects, grade levels, and technology platforms.
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Integration;Technology Leadership
When students talk to AI, it’s easy to believe a "real boy" is behind the screen. This is the Pinocchio Effect: AI so convincing, it tricks students into forming mistaken relationships and offering unearned trust. But an algorithm isn't a friend; it’s a puppet. Today’s goal is to unmask the digital illusion, protect student privacy, and ensure students remain the masters who pull the strings.
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Integration
27 years as a network admin. Specializing in low-cost, no-cost technology solutions (that work) for k12 districts—Everlearning and ready for the next project. Life outside of IT: Vacations and trips with Julie, Harley rides, amateur violin, hydroponics, solar, ham radio, and making cool devices that cost twice as much to make than you can buy them for... Read More →
Friday October 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT Gallery 4
A candid recap of what actually happened when we joined our fleet to Entra ID and rolled out Intune — the surprises, the workarounds, and the policies that looked simple on paper but weren't. Expect real config gotchas, a few facepalms, and practical tips so you don't repeat our mistakes.
Target audience identified by presenter: Network Support ;Technology Leadership;Technology Systems and User Support
You’re the go-to person for all things tech in your district and increasingly expected to handle administrative tasks like budgeting, strategic planning and security. This session is designed for K-12 technology professionals ready to embrace and enhance their leadership capabilities. We will explore opportunities to hone leadership skills, foster valuable collaborations and find support among colleagues available through regional, state and national organizations like SWWC, COSN-MN, MASA, ISTE and more. Join us for an open discussion, idea sharing and learning.
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Leadership
Marc Johnson is Executive Director of East Central Minnesota Educational Cable Cooperative (ECMECC), a telecommunications & technology cooperative of 24 K-12 public school districts in East Central Minnesota. Marc is in his 19th year at ECMECC having spent two years prior as technology... Read More →
Friday October 23, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT Gallery 3
Generative AI is moving quickly, and many rural and small districts are trying to make important decisions without the same staffing, time, or capacity as larger systems. This session shares how the A.I.D.E. Team at SWWC created a regional AI guidance website, aligned with the Minnesota Department of Education’s AI Guiding Principles, to help schools get started in a practical and approachable way. Participants will see how regional support can help districts move from big-picture AI principles to local guidance that actually fits their context. The session will focus on starting the right conversations, building a team that reflects the district, promoting AI literacy, thinking through policy, and creating a roadmap for responsible implementation. This includes considering voices from administration, teaching staff, technology, support staff, students, families, and the broader community. Instead of handing districts a one-size-fits-all plan, this session will show how shared resources can help schools create guidance that reflects their own values, needs, and capacity.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
Technology Integration Program Coordinator, SWWC Service Cooperative
David is the Technology Integration Program Coordinator at SWWC, where he leads and supports technology integration efforts across member and organizational schools. He manages a team of technology integration specialists working in the field, ensuring they have the tools and guidance... Read More →
Friday October 23, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT Gallery 1
Missing files, version conflicts, and compromised libraries are three faces of one mechanism: Windows programs load shared code and trust it completely. Starting from zero and assuming no development background, this session explains what a DLL is, how Windows decides which one to load, and why that decision shows up in both your ticket queue and your threat intel.
Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees
After a series of technical diagnostics, you've determined that your laptop motherboard has failed. It is off the warranty period and would cost $$$ to replace. We'll dive into the steps to determine exactly what has failed, and if there is a low cost way to fix it.
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Systems and User Support
Chief Technology and Information Officer, SWWC Service Cooperative
I am the Chief Technology and Information Officer for SWWC Service Cooperative. My service to the members of SWWC began in May 2003 following my graduation from Dakota State University. I currently oversee all technical services and programs offered by SWWC, and also provide leadership... Read More →
Friday October 23, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT Gallery 7
