NCED Connect Symposium 2025

Strategic planning is more than just a document—it's the roadmap to achieving meaningful change. In this session, participants will dive into the essentials of creating actionable and impactful strategic plans. Explore how to bring the right voices to the table, craft a focused work plan, and design strategies that drive progress. Learn how to map out goals, gather data to measure success, and effectively share your results with stakeholders. Walk away with interactive tools, templates, and practices that you can implement immediately to turn your strategic vision into measurable growth for your school or public school unit.

This session explores the role of technology in education, focusing on how to balance screen time and prioritize its purposeful use. With growing concerns about the potential negative effects of excessive screen exposure, it’s crucial to identify strategies that keep technology use intentional, promoting engagement, active learning, and positive student outcomes. Attendees will examine best practices for integrating technology in ways that support pedagogy and foster student interaction rather than passive consumption. Together, we will develop strategies to ensure that technology serves as a tool for enriching education and not a crutch for classroom management.

Managing a school car rider line can be a logistical challenge for elementary schools, often resulting in delays, frustration, and safety concerns for students, parents, and staff. This session will showcase an innovative approach to solving these issues: designing and implementing a custom app utilizing Google Sheets, Awesome Table, and Google’s AppSheet to streamline the process.Participants will explore:The challenges associated with traditional car rider line systems.Create a Car Rider App for use at schoolUtilize a template Google Sheet, AppSheet, and Awesome Table to create the app.Attendees will leave with a usable web-based all to  transform their car rider line experience for students, teachers, and parents/guardians.

In this session, school and district leaders will explore key guidelines and best practices for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational settings. Participants will learn about ethical considerations, data privacy, and how to align AI tools with district policies and educational goals. The session will also cover practical frameworks for setting expectations around AI use in classrooms, fostering collaboration with educators, and ensuring that AI is leveraged to enhance student learning outcomes while maintaining transparency and accountability.

Join me for an immersive session where we dive into the world of digital wizardry, AI-style! Discover how to leverage cutting-edge technologies and unleash their transformative power in the classroom. Through a blend of hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, you'll gain practical insights and strategies for integrating AI tools into your teaching practice. This session will equip you with the tools to create engaging learning experiences that captivate and inspire your students. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the potential of digital wizardry and take your teaching to enchanting new heights!

How can you tell if your programs, professional learning sessions, or initiatives are truly making a difference? This session offers a fresh perspective on program evaluation, turning data into actionable insights. Learn how to efficiently collect, analyze, and share data to measure success and uncover opportunities for growth. Gain access to ready-to-use tools like editable surveys and protocols, along with strategies to showcase your results and guide future decision-making. Whether you're looking to celebrate wins or refine your approach, this session equips you to tell the story of your impact with confidence.

Discover how to maximize the benefits of your ISTE and ASCD memberships in this session tailored for North Carolina K-12 educators. Learn how to access and implement a range of instructional strategies and classroom resources that are readily available through these professional organizations. This session will guide you in exploring teaching materials, professional development opportunities, and instructional tools that align with your classroom needs. Whether you’re looking for subject-specific lesson plans or expert-led webinars, you’ll leave equipped with practical resources to support your teaching and foster student engagement.