Presenters

Jennifer Porter began her EdTech journey as a student teacher in a Vail, Arizona classroom in 2006, never realizing that young teachers probably shouldn’t volunteer to pilot new technology then train the veteran teachers! This early adopter mindset stayed strong when she became a technology coordinator in 2018 and had entire schools join in. 

In 2023, Jennifer decided that helping more schools transform their practices was the next step and she moved onto the vendor side of EdTech where she now focuses on supporting schools and districts with all things student movement. In her role, she works to help make learning flexible and keep every campus safe every day. 

Luke Allpress is the Director of Innovative Solutions for the Agua Fria Union High School District. He has a degree in engineering and a background teaching calculus and physics before before somehow landing a job in "innovation". His role is to support new technology projects, create solutions for problems, and share those novel solutions between different schools. Luke feels that both staff and student instruction should use the lens of "how would I actually use this", and that staff should reach out whenever they think "there has to be a better way to..." He is a part of the Arizona AI Alliance core action team, and helps lead the newsletter and learning network of the alliance.

Luke has been honored to be a board member of AzTEA, a member of the COSN Advisory board, member of the COSN EdTech Innovation Committee, and is a CETL.

Michelle Coots is the K-12 Instructional Technology Manager for Deer Valley Unified in North Phoenix serving 33,000 students in PreK through 12th grade. Within Deer Valley Michelle provides leadership for the district efforts with purposeful use of technology in connection with learning - including the various facets of digital literacy and computer science. In response to the prevalence of Generative AI, Michelle engages in ongoing collaboration with various internal stakeholders including the convening of a focus group, work team, and sub-groups to navigate the guidance provided around the balanced, safe, and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in Deer Valley USD. During Spring 2024 Michelle participated in a work group developing guidance for Arizona schools on the use of Artificial Intelligence within education. When entering the education field Michelle was a classroom teacher for high school students in Career and Technical Education for Business, Marketing, and Technology programs. She carries a passion for empowering others for success, opening doors to thrive in the present and future. 

Shaun Creighton started his educational career in 1996 as a choral music teacher in the Chandler Unified School District. When he helped out the instructor during a technology professional development session, she suggested he teach some of the sessions himself, which started his journey toward becoming a classroom technology educator. His passion for helping fellow educators meaningfully incorporate technology in their own classrooms eventually led him to become a technology coach, which in turn led to his current position of Director of Instructional Technology for Chandler USD. In that position, he is blessed to lead an incredible team of technology coaches and instructional designers who help bring meaningful, innovative teaching and learning to PK-12 classrooms.

Shaun is a proud member of ISTE and CoSN, and has served on the Executive Board of the Chandler Education Association and the Board of Directors of the Arizona Education Association. He is thrilled to serve on the AzTEA Board of Directors where he can help support continued innovation in teaching and learning across the state. Shaun lives in Chandler with his wife and has five amazing grown children as near as Chandler and as far away as Atlanta. When he’s not trying to keep up on all of the latest developments in educational technology, he enjoys traveling, attending concerts and rooting for his local sports teams.

Melissa Lundquist is a highly enthusiastic and experienced educator with over 20 years of experience, dedicated to providing innovative and transformative learning experiences for students and teachers. Currently serving as an Instructional Technology Specialist at Chandler Unified School District, Melissa's career also includes teaching 3rd-6th grade and K-6 Technology. With a Bachelor's of Arts in Elementary Education with a focus on Mathematics, a Master's in Education with a Reading Endorsement, and a Master's in Educational Technology, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Melissa is a passionate champion of collaboration and innovation, dedicated to developing digital innovators in education. By actively incorporating cutting-edge technology and tools, she provides educators with practical strategies to enhance learning and create engaging experiences for students.

Alecia Henderson currently serves as the Computer Science and Educational Technology Specialist on the Academic Standards Team at the Arizona Department of Education. Within this role, Alecia builds teacher capacity regarding the teaching and learning of Arizona’s Computer Science Standards and Educational Technology Standards by providing resources, professional development, and direct support to the field. In her time as an educator, Alecia has served in a variety of ways as a classroom teacher, K-8 technology teacher, and instructional coach. She is passionate about expanding computer science and educational technology in the state of Arizona by providing educators with the tools and resources needed for their students to become empowered and innovative learners.

Rae Mask serves as the Technology Integration Specialist at Balsz Elementary School District, where she leads initiatives to integrate innovative technologies into classrooms, empowering both educators and students to succeed in a digital age. Her expertise lies in fostering 21st-century skills, designing STEM-focused programs, and supporting teachers in leveraging technology to enhance learning.

Her passion for educational technology drives her to create dynamic learning environments where students develop critical thinking and digital literacy skills essential for their future success. Through collaborative professional development and hands-on support, she helps transform traditional classrooms into interactive spaces where technology enhances rather than replaces effective teaching practices.

As an advocate for equitable access to technology, she works to ensure all students have opportunities to engage with digital tools that expand their horizons and prepare them for an increasingly connected world. Her commitment to continuous innovation keeps the district at the forefront of educational technology integration, creating meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity and growth.

Lindsey McCaleb is a PhD student in the Learning, Literacies, & Technologies program at Arizona State University and the AzTEA Past President. Her career experience includes being an early childhood and elementary teacher using flipped and blended models, an educational technology coach, an administrator for an online school, and a schooal board member. She is an ISTE Certified Educator, a Certified National Virtual Teacher, has training and certifications in Google, Microsoft, Nearpod, Clever, and Canvas, and is currently working on her CETL certification. Lindsey is passionate about supporting districts with effective professional development in educational technology, enhancing student engagement, and empowering students in their learning.