Featured Events & Keynotes

Learn from our edtech community’s brightest minds and enjoy special opportunities to unwind and connect

A Pair of Unforgettable Keynotes

Innovative learning starts with big-picture thinking.

Amanda Bickerstaff’s voice is among the most valued in the national conversation around AI in education. Her visionary approach to supporting ethical, equitable AI adoption has made her a maven among those seeking to meet AI’s current challenges and opportunities.

A former high school biology teacher and edtech executive, Amanda brings over 20 years of education sector experience to every stage and workshop she leads. As the co-founder and CEO of AI in Education, she continues to shape responsible AI policy development and empower educators with robust AI literacy training.

Here in Illinois, Amanda was also a crowd favorite at Hi AI!, where she emphasized the necessity of building GenAI literacy, experimenting with the technology, and adopting AI with an innovation mindset.

Keynote: Wednesday, November 11

Ken Shelton is a distinguished, multi-award-winning professional and education leader who has traveled the globe sharing his unique blend of inspiration and innovative thinking. His work aims to build a more equitable and inclusive future for education through thoughtful policymaking and technology adoption, especially as emerging technologies like AI grow in prominence.

A former teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Ken’s expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion draws on more than 20 years of classroom experience. Most recently, he has sought to center oversight, transparency, and collaboration in conversations about AI in education, including in his best-selling book, The Promises and Perils of AI in Education: Ethics and Equity Have Entered the Chat.

Keynote: Thursday, November 12

Breakaway Experiences

Take part in focused conversations and discover resources relevant to your interests and job role during these exclusive breakaway events.

Each experience is hosted by experts who are ready to help you elevate your professional practice, starting here.

Experiences

Tech Leader Summit Women in Technology Breakfast Computational Playground Coaches Corner Student Panel Trivia Night IETC Social

Tech Leader Summit

Join fellow technology directors, coordinators, and technology decision-makers for a breakaway event centered on empowering technology departments in all Illinois school districts.

Bring your questions and success stories for a timely, relevant conversation about how to enhance cybersecurity and technology utilization in K-12 environments – all led by a panel of current technology leaders from across the state.

Panelists