UCET 2025

As classrooms become more diverse, the number of students learning English as an additional language continues to grow. Technology offers powerful tools that support multi-language learners (MLLs) in overcoming linguistic barriers, enhancing engagement, and achieving academic success. This session will explore practical ways educators can integrate technology to create inclusive, equitable learning environments for MLLs. Participants will learn about innovative strategies, tech tools, and platforms that can be used to differentiate instruction, promote language development, and support the cultural identities of students. The session will also address how to use technology to increase accessibility and foster a community of learners who thrive despite language differences.

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As a student with Dyslexia, school was the worst! The constant struggle to fit in and keep my dyslexia a secret, my greatest fear. Feeling worthless for not knowing how to read or realizing what the words were that everyone else decoded and knew, it was a lot of work. In this session, we will dive into ways to help students with Dyslexia, and some forms of ADHD to excel in the classroom. Starting with the Strengths and weaknesses of people with Dyslexia (The Dyslexic Advantage). We will explore different digital tools that I have used in the classroom to help these amazing students realize their potential. These tools include: Posting simplified lists online (Canvas/ Google Classroom etc.) Giving examples of different notes with a tablet or doc cam Traditional or Doodle notes Media Visualizations Projects to think outside the box Read & Write Chrome Extension (most IEP students have access) Google Lens for read-aloud AI Applications for reading/summarizing And so much more The ISTE standard comes from the strand of Accessibility, Students with Dyslexia may feel like these things are out of reach but using the digital technology today students who struggle with reading and memorization have access in a way that I only dreamed about as a kid.

Transform your classroom into an engaging, learner-centric environment with the innovative tools offered by Nearpod. This interactive session will delve into the heart of active learning, demonstrating how Nearpod’s diverse suite of resources such as Collaboration Boards, Polls, Interactive Video, Draw It and Open Ended Questions, can spark curiosity, foster collaboration, and enhance understanding.

Step into the future of education with our hands-on session, Immersive Learning: Integrating Virtual Reality into the Classrooms. Designed for teachers and tech coaches, this session explores how virtual reality (VR) can transform traditional learning environments into dynamic, interactive experiences that engage students in unprecedented ways. Discover the power of VR to deepen student understanding across a variety of subjects—from exploring the far reaches of space to diving into the depths of the ocean, all from the comfort of your classroom. We will introduce you to affordable, classroom-friendly VR tools and show you how to seamlessly integrate them into your existing curriculum. Through practical demonstrations and guided discussions, you’ll learn how VR can enhance student engagement, critical thinking, and collaboration. We'll also provide tips on how to navigate the logistical challenges, such as device management and equitable access, ensuring that VR can become a sustainable part of your teaching toolkit. Whether you're a tech-savvy coach or a teacher new to VR, this session will empower you with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to bring immersive learning to life for your students. Join us and transform the way your students experience education!

Discover how to create a thriving school culture with insights from Daniel Coyle's best-seller, The Culture Code. This presentation is designed for educators, instructional coaches, and school leaders who want to improve their leadership skills. By understanding the importance of safety, vulnerability, and purpose, you can create an environment where people feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, and working towards a common goal.

Educators continue to feel the increasing challenges and pressures of our current education system. Unfortunately, this can at times lead any one of us - once inspired and hope filled - to feel burnt out, question our purpose and ability to impact those we strive to support, and overlook the opportunities right before us. There is another way. We can begin to shift our perspectives. Taking on paradigms of possibility can allow us to remain solution-oriented and see beyond the surface while staying true to ourselves and our students. We don’t need to ignore reality or simply accept toxic positivity, rather we can hold fast to ourselves, our values, and our reason for entering the profession while finding sustainable solutions and making the difference we held tight as we entered this important profession.

In an era where technology is integral to education, implementing a one-to-one device program can be met with skepticism. This session will equip educators and school leaders with strategies to address parental concerns and foster a supportive community around technology use. Learn how to effectively communicate the educational benefits of technology, such as personalized learning and real-world skill development. We will explore practical ways to involve parents in the digital journey by providing them with tools to help their children develop healthy digital habits. Drawing on evidence-based practices, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to create a balanced digital environment at home and school. Join us to ensure that technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier, in your educational community. (Session description written with support of schoolai)

In this session titled \"AI-Powered Creativity: Elevating Educational Design with Canva's Innovative Features,\" we will explore how Canva harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to transform the way educators and designers create visually stunning materials. Attendees will discover a range of AI-driven tools that simplify the design process, such as Magic Write for generating text, Magic Resize for effortlessly adapting designs to different formats, and Image Enhancer for automatically optimizing visuals. We will delve into how these features can save time and enhance creativity, allowing users to focus on their ideas while Canva's AI handles the technical aspects. Participants will also learn to leverage AI suggestions for layouts and color palettes, ensuring that their educational content is not only engaging but also aesthetically pleasing. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with practical skills to utilize Canva's innovative tools, making their educational designs more effective and inspiring.

Navigating the comprehensive USBE Framework for mentor training can be overwhelming. \"Growing a Mentor: Developing Mentor Training using the USBE Framework\" offers practical strategies to simplify and customize it for effective use in school districts. Led by Amy Wood, NBCT, this session focuses on integrating adult learning principles by offering personalized options through a choice board. Participants will learn to distill key components, prioritize essential skills, and tailor content to their district’s unique needs. With over ten years of mentoring leadership experience, Amy’s insights will guide educators in creating impactful training experiences that empower mentors to support peers effectively. Discover how to transform the USBE Framework into a user-friendly format that fosters a thriving educational community. Gain strategies to elevate mentorship programs and teaching standards, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement through engaging, choice-driven learning.

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When I accepted the position as curriculum specialist 4 years ago, I wasn't aware of how much time I would spend digging through data from so many different sources. Whether I was looking at fancy premade reports or digging through a 214-column .csv file (cough...Acadience...cough), I felt the struggle of providing timely, relevant, and easily digestible data to my teachers in a fragmented environment where every data source looked and behaved so differently. In order to remedy this, I have created a system for aggregating all of our student assessment, attendance, and demographic data into one place--one sheet (or better, database) to rule them all. This allows me to access, sort, filter, and present the data in many different ways depending on need, and it means that as a district, we spend more time discussing the data and what it means than we do gathering it. Join me as I walk you through the process we went through as a district to create this database and present some strategies for dealing with massive amounts of data that I have learned over the last four years. If you are interested in the technical side of being a more data-driven school or district, this session is for you.

We will focus on helping administrators unlock AI to streamline essential and repetitive tasks. We will include how AI can help you create bell schedules, quickly summarize school communication for the community, and help you analyze grades or other key data. You will have time to try some of these tips using the AI systems you have available.