EdTech Academy: A Next Generation Teaching and Learning Conference
June 24, 2025
Creating Meaningful Learning Experiences in Our Schools and Classrooms!
Learn • Connect • Grow • Lead • Innovate
Calling all educators! Join us for EdTech Academy on June 24, 2025! This is a next-generation teaching and learning conference for PK-20 educators. Discover ways to implement effective teaching and learning practices in an ever-evolving educational landscape. Gain fresh and innovative ideas, strategies, tools, and resources that engage and empower students, enhance curriculum, improve instruction, and deepen learning. Learn ways to effectively leverage the power of technology to create meaningful, authentic, and relevant learning experiences in our schools and classrooms – experiences that provide students with opportunities for critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Attend sessions facilitated by passionate educators related to effective and innovative teaching and learning practices, meaningful technology integration, active student-centered learning, and other relevant educational topics. Network and learn ways to transform teaching and learning in your classroom from other educators, and discover how we can lead next-gen learning. You don’t want to miss this distinct learning opportunity with inspiring and dynamic educational leaders! This year's keynote speaker, George Couros, is a worldwide leader in the area of innovative teaching, learning, and leading!
Get Registered
Call for Proposals
Interested in presenting at EdTech Academy? The Call for Proposals is open through March 14, 2025.
Keynote and Special Events
We are so excited to welcome George Couros as the Keynote Speaker at EdTech Academy 2025!
Schedule at a Glance
(tentative/subject to change)
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Registration, Dempster Atrium |
| 8:30 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. | Welcome in Glenn Auditorium, Dempster Hall |
| 8:40 a.m. - 9:55 a.m. | Opening Keynote by George Couros in Glenn Auditorium, Dempster Hall |
| 10:10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Interactive Session with George Couros in Glenn Auditorium, Dempster Hall |
| 11:10 a.m. - Noon | Breakout Sessions, Dempster Hall |
| Noon - 1 p.m. | Lunch, Dempster Atrium |
| 1 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. | Breakout Sessions, Dempster Hall |
| 2 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. | Breakout Sessions, Dempster Hall |
| 2:50 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Snack / Door Prize Entry |
| 3 p.m. | Closing by Jennifer Jones, 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year, followed by Door Prizes in Glenn Auditorium, Dempster Hall |
Breakout Sessions
More to come!
| Session | Description |
|---|---|
| High Leverage Practices for Effective Behavior Management | In this interactive breakout session, educators will explore and develop key strategies for managing student behavior in the classroom through the lens of high-leverage practices. These practices focus on evidence-based, proactive approaches that promote positive behaviors, improve classroom climate, and support student learning. Participants will examine techniques for creating clear expectations, using reinforcement and motivation strategies, fostering social-emotional learning, and effectively addressing challenging behaviors. Through collaborative discussions and hands-on activities, educators will leave with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to apply these practices to create a more positive and productive learning environment for all students. |
| Intro to AI for Teachers | This hands-on session is a deep exploration of artificial intelligence tools for teachers. We will start by working with general tools like ChatGPT and learning how to craft quality instructions for them (called prompts). We will then expand our prompts to include specific tools for creating images and videos. Finally, we will explore tools specific to the classroom for lesson creation, summary, quizzing, and more! |
| Full Steam Ahead: Literacy-based STEAM Kits | Explore learning kits available for FREE checkout from the EDvolution Center on SEMO’s campus. There are kits for PK as well as K-5, and are self-contained; they have everything you need, including all supplies (even markers and scissors), lesson plans, books, and more. The kits are aligned with state and national standards and include lessons on water pollution, testing different materials, solving an engineering problem, habitats and organisms, and more! |
| Digital Literacy in the Age of AI | AI brings many benefits, but it also comes with some concerns. How do we stay digitally literate when digital technology is changing so fast? How do we help our students be responsible digital citizens in this rapidly changing technology minefield? This session will address these concerns and offer some resources and practical ideas for keeping yourself and your students safe and ethical in the fast-paced world of educational technology. |
| Identifying MTSS, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavioral and Interpersonal Learning | Elementary level- multi-theory approach and organizational framework. The MTSS Journey of A Southeast MO Public School, including crowdsourcing activity for building and expanding your existing MTSS. The conclusion of the 50-minute presentation will include a hands-on activity for building resilience in participants. Presentation given at MSCA-Missouri School Counselor Association Conference, Southeast MO School Counselors Association workshop, MO-CASE, MO Sped Admin conference, and for Best Practices for Missouri school counselors as I was the 2024 MO Elementary School Counselor of the Year, and I am the 2025 Past President of the Southeast MO School Counselors Assoc. |
| Digital Safety For "Littles" | By the age of eight, ninety percent of children have used a device to connect to the internet. Though the internet offers a fresh, fun, and fascinating way to connect with the world, it also exposes new risks. Internet safety training must begin at a very young age. Mrs. Grady’s session will explore these topics, including user account and password protection, digital footprints and oversharing, social media, internet etiquette, and cyberbullying. Using videos, music, children’s books, games, and more, Mrs. Grady will share K-4 classroom lessons and resources to keep your “Littles” safe online. |
| Perfectionism: Tips and Coping Skills for All Students | Do you notice your students, children, or even yourself struggling with perfectionism? This presentation is for you. Tips and coping skills to better understand what perfectionism is in the academic setting, signs of how to identify it, as well as steps to take to overcome perfectionism. This presentation will offer strategies for individuals and students to become more self-aware and to practice embracing the here and now of the messy, beautiful journey of learning. |
| Teaching Students Self-Regulation Using Moral Reasoning Training | The effective management of student discipline is critical to the success of any school. Educators are confronted with the challenge of maintaining school safety while minimizing the number of long-term suspensions. Student and teacher safety are extremely important, but in order for students, who compromise the safety and conduciveness of the learning environment, to be successful, they need to be in class. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a program that could provide school administrators with a restorative practice to help minimize the number of out-of-school suspensions, supply teachers, counselors, and behavior interventionists with an evidence-supported intervention that teaches students individualized self-regulation skills, enabling them to be successful in the classroom and beyond school? Moral Reasoning Training, MRT, is a program that can address all of these needs. MRT is an evidence-supported intervention that provides a sequence of twelve detailed lessons to help students improve their skills for self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, building positive relationships, responsible decision-making, creating goals, and developing action steps to achieve them. The interactive lessons that are found in the MRT workbook incorporate components from art therapy, oral and written expression, and self-reflection, all of which help students identify and acknowledge the behavior(s) that prevent them from being successful, their triggers, and positive behaviors they can develop to replace the negative. My presentation will explain how this intervention helped decrease discipline referrals by approximately 80 percent while increasing attendance and graduation rates. |
| From Data Overload to Powerful Dashboards with Looker Studio | School administrators have access to a wealth of data, but making sense of it all can be overwhelming. In this session, we’ll explore how to transform raw data into visually engaging, interactive dashboards using Looker Studio (a part of Google Cloud Services). Learn how to streamline reports, track key metrics, and create dynamic visualizations that support informed decision-making. Whether you're looking to monitor student performance, track attendance trends, or analyze budget data, this session will equip you with the tools to turn numbers into actionable insights. |
| Your AI Teaching Toolkit: Google’s New Notebook LM & Illuminate Hands-On Exploration | Unlock the potential of Google's cutting-edge AI tools, Notebook LM and Illuminate, in this interactive workshop! We'll move beyond theory and get straight to practical applications. Learn how Notebook LM acts as your personal AI research assistant, synthesizing your uploaded documents into powerful knowledge bases for research and lesson planning. Plus, experience Illuminate's unique ability to transform any text into a personalized listening experience, simplifying complex information. This session provides ample time for hands-on exploration, ensuring you leave with concrete strategies and a clear understanding of how these tools can streamline your workflow, save time, and enhance student learning. |
| Streamline Your Schedule with Appointment Schedules | Google Calendar’s Appointment Schedules feature makes it easy to set up, share, and manage time slots for one-on-one or group meetings. In this session, you will learn how to create appointment schedules, customize availability, and automate confirmations—all while keeping control of your time. Whether you're scheduling parent meetings, staff check-ins, or professional development sessions, this tool will help you simplify the process and stay organized. Appointment Schedules are not just for administrators or counselors: schools can use Appointment Schedules for Pre-K / KG screenings, and teachers can use them for parent-teacher conferences or parent meetings. The opportunities are endless. |
| Understanding Digital and Media Literacy in Education | In this professional development session, educators and library professionals will dive into the critical intersection of media literacy, digital literacy, and artificial intelligence in today’s educational landscape. As technology continues to evolve, so does the necessity for students to understand and critically evaluate the information they encounter. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of resources and strategies for integrating these essential literacies into K-12 curricula. Attendees will explore innovative lesson plans and hands-on activities designed to help students grasp the importance of media and digital literacy, while also understanding how AI plays a role in shaping the information they consume. Through practical examples and collaborative discussions, participants will be equipped to empower students with the skills needed to navigate and critically assess the digital world. |
| From Idea to the Airwaves: Starting Your Own Podcast to Engage Students & Families | Podcasts are a powerful way for educators to extend learning beyond the classroom, connect with families, and build a stronger school community. Whether you want to share classroom updates, provide learning support, or amplify student voices, this session will guide you through the process of creating your own podcast—from idea to launch. In this interactive session, educators will explore the basics of podcasting, including content planning, recording, and distribution. No prior experience is required—just a passion for communication and engagement! Participants will leave with practical tools, strategies, and a clear roadmap to bring their podcasting ideas to life. |
| AI in the Classroom and What to Watch for from Students | This presentation explores the role of AI in modern high school classrooms, focusing on how educators can harness its potential to improve teaching while maintaining academic integrity. With AI tools becoming more prevalent, teachers can use them to provide personalized instruction, generate engaging lesson plans, and offer immediate feedback to students. However, with this advancement comes the challenge of plagiarism, as students may misuse AI to complete assignments dishonestly. Attendees will learn strategies for integrating AI into their teaching practices in a way that enhances learning rather than replacing critical thinking. We will discuss how AI-driven tools like Magic School, ChatGPT, and adaptive learning platforms can support differentiated instruction, helping students develop stronger writing and analytical skills. To address academic integrity, the presentation will cover methods for identifying AI-generated content, utilizing plagiarism detection software, and fostering a classroom culture that values originality. Educators will gain insights into revising assignment structures, incorporating reflection-based writing, and implementing AI-aware grading policies that encourage ethical academic practices. By the end of the session, teachers will have practical strategies for leveraging AI as a powerful teaching assistant while maintaining rigorous standards that promote authentic student work. |
| Dive Into Feedback with Snorkl AI | In this session, we’ll introduce you to Snorkl, a free AI tool that captures students’ spoken thoughts and work, evaluates their responses, and provides personalized feedback. Teachers can guide the AI’s focus, aligning it with specific instructional goals to create a dynamic, adaptive learning experience. This makes Snorkl a powerful partner in promoting effective teaching and deeper student engagement. Join us to discover how this innovative tool can be used in your classroom! |
| How to Start FIRST Robotics | See how you can start the FIRST robotics experience with your students - in class or after school. This suite of programs is available for ages 4-18. Free resources and a hands-on trial in this session. |
| AI Tools for Teachers | AI is all the rage in education today, but which tools should you add to your teacher toolbox? This session will focus on determining how teachers can best use AI tools to enhance instruction in the classroom. Teachers will leave with tools to explore and TONS of new ideas! |
| Student Engagement Comes Alive! | Engaging students in STEAM activities not only builds content knowledge and academic skills but also helps build confidence and community in the classroom. Roll up your sleeves and try it yourself. |
| Resuscitating the Research Paper | How do we engage modern students in the meaningful but dated process of writing a research paper? This session will encourage participants to explore and share ideas to foster student engagement in this still-important academic endeavor. We will look at how technology tools, personal investment, and multimedia elements can help more students recognize the value of research. While this session will focus on a 12th-grade English classroom, it will feature tips and ideas adaptable to most 7-12 classrooms. Come ready to learn, discuss, and share. |
| Decoding Digital in Missouri: Empowering Parents to Navigate the AI & Media Landscape | This session empowers Missouri educators and librarians to equip parents with crucial skills to guide their children in the digital world, focusing on AI literacy and media literacy. Attendees will learn how to explain the basics of generative AI and its potential for inaccuracies, and provide actionable strategies for parents to help children develop critical thinking to evaluate online content and AI-generated material. The session will also address fostering a balanced digital life by discussing concepts like digital pull and the importance of managing screen time for better focus and well-being, ultimately enabling parents to nurture informed and responsible digital citizens in an AI-driven future. |