ISTE AI Instructors

Rudy Escobar

Rudy Escobar is an STEM and Computer Science Coordinator with a skill set in STEM PreK-12 Education, Science, Computer Science, STEM, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Physical Computing, Robotics, Curriculum Design, and Project-based learning. He has successfully led initiatives, including new robotics programs, STEM and Computer Science Summer curriculum, and STEAM camps for elementary students.

Deb Norton

Deb Norton is a former 5th grade classroom teacher, who now works at a high school where she is a Technology Integration Specialist and Tech Coach. She has her Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, is a Google Certified Trainer, and is the Lead EdTech Consultant at Innovative Educator Consulting. Deb works in a 1:1 Chromebook environment in which she helps teachers and staff to implement Google Apps for Education, among various other technologies. Deb is an enthusiastic presenter who has presented at local conferences, as well as nationally at ISTE. She is passionate about connecting with others via social media and blogging.

Mano Talaiver

Manorama Talaiver, Ed.D. has worked directly with K-12 teachers and higher education faculty to integrate innovative instructional practices within the STEM disciplines, including computer science, for the past forty years in India and USA. She has facilitated various online courses and onsite workshops in other countries as well. Talaiver directed the Institute for Teaching through Technology and Innovative practices (ITTIP) at Longwood University and worked closely with 25 school divisions in the Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium until her retirement. After retirement, she has established a consulting firm to provide professional learning experiences for teachers. In collaboration with ISTE faculty, she has worked with educators on computational thinking, mobile learning, and artificial intelligence.

Jazz Cano

Jazz Cano is a middle school STEM teacher with a masters degree in Instructional Technology. She teaches under-represented students Engineering and Coding skills, including JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. She is a Google and Microsoft Certified educator, a technology leader in her school, district and community, as well as an adjunct professor. Her passions revolve around embedding digital citizenship and 21st century skills into all learning experiences and training educators on new and emerging technologies.

Brandie Wright

Brandie Wright is a former district Technology Coordinator turned classroom teacher at Ella Fitzgerald Middle School in Newport News, Virginia where she has implemented projects such as Amazon Future Engineer - Your Voice Is Power, ProjectSTEM and Coding Club for Girls with ImagiLabs. Brandie serves as a club sponsor for BLOOM, a Girl Empowerment Club, and Technology Student Association (TSA). In 2021, she became a member of the Tech Guide Team for Cult of Pedagogy where she worked on the 2022 Teacher’s Guide to Tech. As a proud member of the Our Voice Academy Cohort, she works with other minority educators to network, encourage, and collaborate on ways to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Mark Gerl

Mark Gerl is a Middle Grades Technology Teacher at The Galloway School in Atlanta, GA. His classes include Python programming, Game Design, App Design, Wearable Technology and Artificial Intelligence. Mark holds a Master’s of Education degree in Instructional Technology and Innovation from Kennesaw State University as well as specialization certificate in Online and Distance Learning. He has contributed to “Hands-On AI Projects for the Classroom, A Guide for Computer Science Teachers” and “Hands-On AI Projects for the Classroom, A Guide on Ethics and AI.”

Liz Lee

Liz Lee, Director of Online Learning, leads the ISTE U initiative to bring engaging and research-based professional learning to educators.She is a former classroom teacher, and designer/developer of innovative online learning experiences for students and educators across the country. While with the New York City Department of Education, she supported implementation of a district-wide initiative to bring meaningful computer science curriculum to all students.

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