Speakers 2019

Keynote: Eric Sheninger

Eric is a Senior Fellow and Thought Leader on Digital Leadership with the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE). Prior to this, he was the award-winning Principal at New Milford High School. Under his leadership, his school became a globally recognized model for innovative practices. Eric oversaw the successful implementation of several sustainable change initiatives that radically transformed the learning culture at his school while increasing achievement.

His work focuses on leading and learning in the digital age as a model for moving schools and districts forward. This has led to the formation of the Pillars of Digital Leadership, a framework for all educators to initiate sustainable change to transform school cultures. As a result, Eric has emerged as an innovative leader, best selling author, and sought after speaker. His main focus is using research and evidence-based practices to empower learners, improve communications with stakeholders, enhance public relations, create a positive brand presence, discover opportunity, transform learning spaces, and help educators grow professionally in the digital age.

Keynote: Matt Shea & Courtney Belolan

About Matt

Matt is a district administrator, and former math teacher, in a learner-centered proficiency-based system. He is a zealot for learner-centered, proficiency-based education systems, but has no tolerance for educators looking out for themselves in lieu of the learners. He loves Chelsea FC a little too much, and 90's alternative rock way too much. His favorite saying is "to be uncertain is uncomfortable, but to be certain is ridiculous." Sort of sums up personalized learning. He tweets at @eatsleepstats. Contact Matt at PLearnMC@gmail.com

About Courtney

Courtney is a k-12 instructional coach. She is enjoying her journey in education, and figures that she can fall back on being a rock star if it doesn't pan out. Before working with teachers Courtney worked with middle schoolers in a public school, and animals of all ages, including people, at a nature sanctuary. She believes that personalized, proficiency-based learning is the elegant solution, and that all arguments otherwise are riddled with fallacies. Courtney loves to lacto-ferment vegetables from her yard or local farmers market, and her favorite asana is rajakapotasana. Courtney teaches yoga to adults and children in Midcoast Maine. She tweets at @belolanc. Contact Courtney at PLearnMC@gmail.com.

Featured Speaker: Tiffany Whitehead

Tiffany Whitehead, the Mighty Little Librarian, is an obsessive reader, world traveler, social media user, and technology geek. She is the Director of Library at Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Tiffany earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and School Library Certification from Southeastern Louisiana University and her graduate degree in Educational Technology Leadership from Northwestern State University. She has served as the President for ISTE’s Librarians Network and was recognized as one of ISTE’s 2014 Emerging Leaders.

Tiffany is National Board Certified in Library Media and was named one of the 2014 Library Journal Movers & Shakers. She was the 2016 recipient of the Louisiana Library Media Specialist Award. She frequently speaks at local, state, and national conferences, sharing her passion for libraries and educational technology.

Featured Speaker: Sydney Jensen

Sydney is Nebraska's 2019 Teacher of the Year!

Sydney is a ninth grade English teacher and has taught at Lincoln High School since 2014. She started her teaching career as a seventh and eighth grade English teacher at Dawes Middle School. In addition to her classroom experience, she is an Instructional Coach and certified Trainer of Trainers for the Classroom Instruction that Works model.

Featured Speaker: Dorann Avey

Dorann Avey is the Director of Digital Learning at the Nebraska Department of Education. Dorann leads the statewide Future Ready Nebraska project.

Featured Speaker: Beth Kabes

Beth Kabes is the Director of BlendEd and Distance Learning at the Nebraska Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council. Beth is directly involved on Nebraska's Future Ready Council, the statewide ESUCC/NCSA BlendEd Pilot project, and is the current President of the Nebraska Digital Learning Association.

Featured Speaker: Dr. Nick Ziegler

Dr. Nick Ziegler is the Technology Integration Specialist at ESU 5. Nick is heavily involved in multiple statewide EdTech initiatives. He is a co-founder of the ESUCC/NCSA BlendEd Pilot project, a NETA Board member, a member of the ESU Teaching and Learning with Technology Advisory Committee, and a member of the Future Ready Nebraska Council.

Featured Speaker: Otis Pierce

Otis Pierce is a Professional Development Coordinator at ESU 7. Otis is a member of the Future Ready Nebraska Council, a member of the ESU Teaching and Learning with Technology group, and has been directly involved in the statewide BlendEd Learning Best Practices project.

Featured Speaker: Molly Aschoff

Molly Aschoff is a Digital Learning Coordinator and Media Specialist at ESU 8. Molly is a member of the ESU Teaching and Learning with Technology group, the past President of the Nebraska Digital Learning Association, and has been directly involved in the statewide BlendEd Learning Best Practices project.

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