Chad Gestson

Executive Director, AZ Institute for Education and the Economy

Session 1: AI for Systems Leaders

Dr. Chad Gestson is the founding Executive Director of the Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy and serves as the Special Advisor to the President on K-12 Initiatives at Northern Arizona University. Prior to joining NAU, he spent 22 years in K-12 education, most recently as Superintendent of Arizona’s largest high school district, Phoenix Union High School District (PXU), from 2015-2023. Dr. Gestson is also President of High Ground Leadership Group (www.hgleadership.com), a leadership coaching and consulting company.

Karissa Ham

Science Teacher, AFHSD

Session 1: Work Smarter Not Harder, How generative AI can be your personal assistant

Karissa Ham brings a dynamic blend of expertise and enthusiasm to education with 9 years as a Science Teacher. Beyond imparting fundamental scientific knowledge, she plays a pivotal role in integrating technology into education, serving as a member of the District Educational Infrastructure (EIT) Team and Leader of the Verrado High School Technology Learning Community. In prior roles, she spearheaded teams that focused on multi-tiered support systems, teaching and learning, as well as technology integration. 

Sharon Stefan

Math Faculty, EMCC

Session 1: Learning through the lens of a Machine Learning algorithm and the use of text-generated AI images for classroom discussion on biases 

Sharon Stefan has been a Residential mathematics faculty at Estrella Mountain Community College since 2020 and current STEM Center of Excellence director. She has incorporated undergraduate research experiences (URE) as part of her teaching practices at EMCC in AI and Machine Learning in the area of Medical Imaging and Health Diagnostics. Her past teaching experiences have included as a Visiting Lecturer at Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Chile, a Visiting Assistant Lecturer at the University of the Virgin Islands, and a Mathematics Professor at Lone Star Community College in Houston, TX. 

Michele Wilson

Consultant

Session 2: AI Ethics in the Classroom

Michele Wilson has been a public educator for thirty-seven years. She serves on the Arizona Technology in Education Association Board and is an ISTE Certified Educator. She currently works as an educational consultant.

Rae Mask

EdTech Coach

Session 2: AI Ethics in the Classroom

Rae has spent over a decade in title one school districts spearheading initiatives to enhance instructional practices across all content areas. Through hands-on training in systems and computer skills, Rae empowered teachers to leverage technology effectively. 

Micaella Butterfield

Curriculum Specialist, AFUHSD

Session 2: AI-Driven District Support 

As an experienced teacher and leader, Micaella leads teams toward building academic excellence with a focus on curricular design that includes authentic assessment. With a focus on whole child initiatives such as developing a Portrait of a Graduate and interweaving elements such as professional standards with academics, Micaella believes that we can build bright futures for our students when we work together with the same goal in mind.

Al Antonio

Teacher, Lake Havasu High School

Session 2: Digitizing Pedagogy: An Educator's Day in the AI-Driven Classroom

Mr. Aldrin Antonio, a dedicated J1-Teacher from the Philippines, brings a wealth of experience to the summit. With a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Speech and Theater Arts, and a Master's degree in Education, majoring in English language teaching, Mr. Antonio is committed to fostering a passion for integrating AI in his instruction for English Language Arts.

Meha Trivedi

Faculty, Estrella Mountain Community College

Session 3: Teaching “toward, about, and with” AI: A Pedagogical Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Education

Meha Trivedi serves as a faculty member and Program Director at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), where she applied her Masters degree in Computer Science and 17 years of industry experience to establish the EMCC Computer Science program. Her 12-year academic tenure also includes supporting institutional initiatives as Division Chair, developing the EMCC Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning program, and teaching, mentoring and guiding students in their technology journey.

Dr. Steven Crawford

District Director, Maricopa Center for Learning and Innovation Maricopa Community Colleges

Session 3:  Teaching “toward, about, and with” AI: A Pedagogical Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Education

Dr. Steven Crawford is the District Director for the Maricopa Center for Learning and Innovation at the Maricopa County Community College District. His interests include the use of educational technologies, usage of multimedia, and emerging technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence. He is also interested in approaches to course design to effectively leverage blended, HyFlex, and synchronous online learning environments. Steven. served on the EDUCAUSE Horizon Report Panel for the 2021 and 2022 reports and currently serves on the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council and as a Quality Matters Research Colleague.

Cori Araza

Senior Project Director K12 STEM Outreach, Grand Canyon University

Session 3: AI Literacy for Educators: Tools and tips for creation, bias detection, and deep learning

Cori Araza has 17 years of experience as a secondary and community college classroom instructor focusing on the ""T"" in STEM. She currently serves as Senior Project Director for K12 STEM Outreach at Grand Canyon University, where she delivers professional development in STEM instruction and best practices in teaching and learning through technology. While working with GCU students in the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, she mentors, secures university grants in STEM, and exposes the K12 community to postsecondary education by hosting International STEM Competitions.

Previously, she led two robust student-technology leadership programs at an 1800-student high school. She created Makerspaces on campus with VR app development, 3D Printing, and coding technologies. She recently earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology with an emphasis in Technology and Learning.

Rachna Mathur

STEM Outreach, ASU Prep Digital

Session 3: AI Literacy for Educators: Tools and tips for creation, bias detection, and deep learning

Rachna Mathur is a STEM educator, computer engineer, and performing artist with over 20 years of combined experience in teaching children and adults STEM subjects with a focus on coding, AI, robotics as well as teaching classical Indian dance, and art. She is the CEO/Founder of STEMology Club which focuses on after-school STEM programs and camps, STEM advocacy, consulting, and speaking. Prior to a career in education, she spent a decade as a software engineer and product marketing engineer at Intel.

Rachna currently serves as ASU Preparatory Academy’s first STEM Strategist and consultant tasked with building a vision to become a leader in K-12 STEM and foster the natural curiosity of students through STEM. She is also pursuing a doctorate at ASU's Teachers College focusing her research on elementary-age integrative STEM education.

Lauren Owens

Executive Director of Technology, AFHSD

Session 3: AI and Data Privacy

Lauren Owens taught Spanish and Student Leadership for 6 years before moving to a district job supporting Ed Tech PD and implementation. After coordinating the overlap between technology and academics for 3 years, she spent a year as the district’s first Director of Innovative Solutions, overseeing all creative in-house efforts to use technology to better the student experience. Since becoming the Executive Director of Technology she has invested in a culture of student-first, casting technology as a tool in service of learning. She oversees both IT infrastructure and EdTech implementation, balancing the full spectrum of technology and leveraging the strengths of former teachers in her department to continually improve teaching and learning.

She currently serves as an AzTEA Board Member.

Rob Loy

Executive Director Academic Advancement and Innovation, GCU

Session 3: AI and Data Privacy

Robert Loy is the assistant dean of technology and director of academic success and innovation at Grand Canyon University. Robert provides students with opportunities for exploration and practical experience and emphasizes continuous learning and professional development, focusing on innovative and emerging technology, including generative AI. Over the last year, Rob has spoken at conferences on AI in the fields of Cybersecurity, Education, FinTech, and Project Management. 

Laura Boone

AzTEA’s President Elect, ISTE Certified Trainer, Certified Educational Technology Leader

Closing session 

Laura Boone uses the experiences of 20 years of working with education and IT leaders to connect practical strategies to real life challenges in K12 education. Her focus on blending the science of brain based leadership and the art of effective change management is the special sauce that makes her work so realistic, applicable, and effective. Today, she coaches individuals and organizations in establishing high quality, supportive, strategies for those navigating life's many changes - those desired, experienced, and even those not preferred.