NCED Connect Symposium 2025

NCED Connect Symposium 2025

Welcome to the NC ED Connect Symposium!

1:00pm EST

Stronger Together: Building Collaborative Bridges Between Librarians and Teachers LIMITED

Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

In an era where information literacy and collaborative learning are paramount, the role of the school librarian as a partner in education is more critical than ever. This session will explore effective strategies for librarians to collaborate with teachers, fostering a culture of partnership that enhances student learning outcomes. Participants will leave with insights into establishing collaborative networks and leveraging those relationships into sustainable partnerships that empower students to master their learning outcomes. They also will discuss edtech tools that can be easily tailored for high school educators across a variety of content areas.

Speakers

Colleen Pinyan

School Library Media Coordinator, Northwest Guilford High School

My name is Colleen Pinyan. I have been a School Library Media Coordinator for 13 years and currently serve the students at Northwest High School.I arrived at Northwest High School five weeks before the pandemic. Soon after schools shut down, I realized that the K-12 setting would... Read More →

Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Educators Coaches and SLMC Coaches and SLMC Leadership

2:00pm EST

Cybersecurity Incident Response for Principals and School Leaders LIMITED

Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

This session will offer practical strategies for PSU teams to efficiently respond to cybersecurity incidents, minimizing the impact on their learning and working environment. In addition, the team will perform a simulated Tabletop Exercise (TTX) that walks PSUs Principals and Schools Leaders through their role for a common cyber incident.

Speakers

Samuel Carter

Systems Architect, Friday Institute / North Carolina State University

Samuel is a Systems Architect in the Technology Infrastructure Lab at the Friday Institute where he supports the team in all matters of cybersecurity with the purpose of improving the security posture at PSUs and Community Colleges throughout North Carolina. He serves as a leader... Read More →

Jason Shirley

IT Consultant, MCNC

Jason Shirley joined MCNC in 2018 and currently serves as a Managing Consultant. In this role, Jason leads MCNC's Vital Cyber Consulting team, providing a range of security consulting services to help clients address their cybersecurity challenges.Jason graduated from North Carolina... Read More →

Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Educators Leadership Leadership NCSIS NCSIS Coaches and SLMC Coaches and SLMC

3:00pm EST

Building Instructional Capacity Through Coaching: A District Approach LIMITED

Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Effective school leadership is crucial for building instructional capacity and driving student achievement. This session will explore how our district has adopted a coaching-centered approach based on principles to develop strong instructional leaders. By focusing on high-impact practices such as data-driven instruction, effective feedback, and precise planning, our coaching model empowers principals to elevate teaching and learning across their schools.

Speakers

Marcy Roan

Chief Academic Officer, Stokes County Schools

Marcy is a veteran educator with over 24 years as a teacher, school administrator, coach of teachers, and school leadership coach. Dr. Roan most recently served as Chief Academic Officer for Stokes County Schools and a School Leadership Coach for the NC Department of Public Instruction... Read More →

Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Leadership Leadership

4:00pm EST

The Right Assessment for the Purpose LIMITED

Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Join us for a school’s view of juggling multiple assessment options. Bethany Community School will discuss their choices for assessing student’s learning. The presentation will provide a view of using Schoolnet, Navvy, and PRoPL to assess students grow, review multiple sources of data, and support instruction.Presenters: Maegan Parker and Catherine Simone

Speakers

Rebecca Stokes

Instructional Improvement Systems Consultant, NCDPI

Rebecca works at DPI as a Professional Development Specialist and Product manager for Schoolnet. She has been in education for 16 years serving as a Classroom Teacher, Digital Literacy Coach, and Instructional Technology Facilitator. Rebecca is passionate about helping classroom... Read More →

Amanda Phillips

Education Technology Support Consultant, Pearson

Amanda Phillips is a Project Coordinator for Pearson. She works with North Carolina schools and districts, supporting and responding to Service Now Cases for Schoolnet.

Catherine Simone

Project manager, Pearson

Catherine Simone is the Project Manger from Pearson for North Carolina's Instructional Improvement System. As a former teacher and school administrator, she supports North Carolina's schools and districts in utilizing formative and interim assessment platforms.

Maegan Parker

Director of Teaching and Learning, Bethany Community School

Maegan Parker is the Director of Teaching and Learning at Bethany Community School. In her role she leads and supports teachers in grades 6-12. Coaching teachers includes data analysis, planning professional development, developing the school's curriculum plan, facilitating Professional... Read More →

Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Educators Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC

9:00am EST

From AI to A+: Leveraging AI to Support Teacher Growth LIMITED

Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:00am - 10:50am EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Ready to revolutionize your coaching practice? Join us for an interactive session that explores how artificial intelligence can amplify your impact as an instructional coach. Discover practical strategies for using AI tools to streamline your coaching processes, enhance teacher support, and foster meaningful professional growth.In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to:Leverage AI to create personalized coaching plans and feedback templatesGenerate thought-provoking questions for more effective coaching conversationsDevelop differentiated support strategies for teachers at various skill levelsDesign data-informed professional development experiencesBuild a digital toolkit that saves time and increases coaching effectivenessPerfect for instructional coaches who want to work smarter, not harder. Leave with ready-to-implement strategies, customizable templates, and a fresh perspective on how AI can enhance (not replace) the human elements of coaching. Whether you're tech-savvy or just getting started, this session will meet you where you are and help you take your coaching practice to the next level.

Speakers

Ashley Haynes

Instructional Technology Facilitator, Cabarrus County Schools

Techy Mama ðŸ¤“ Presenter ðŸ–¥ï¸ Lover of AI, VR, & Canva ðŸ’› Masters in Learning & Design ðŸŽ Advocate for accessibility & inclusion! ðŸ©µ Collector of all the Edtech badges!

Wednesday January 22, 2025 9:00am - 10:50am EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Coaches and SLMC

11:00am EST

Making an Impact: Evaluating Programs That Drive Change LIMITED

Wednesday January 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Ashley McBride

Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief, NCDPI

Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her role is to support PSUs and schools with their understanding and implementation of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan. You can reach out to Ashley... Read More →

Wednesday January 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC Coaches and SLMC

12:00pm EST

Intentional Technology Use: Avoiding "Zombie Learning" and Fostering Engaged, Purposeful Classroom Experiences LIMITED

Wednesday January 22, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Ashley McBride

Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief, NCDPI

Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her role is to support PSUs and schools with their understanding and implementation of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan. You can reach out to Ashley... Read More →

Wednesday January 22, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC

1:00pm EST

Car Rider Line - There is an App for That! LIMITED

Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Brandy Moody

ITF, Burke County Public Schools

Brandy Moody is an instructional technology facilitator with 21 years of experience in integrating innovative technologies into elementary school environments.

Erin Wolfhope

Instructional Technology Facilitator, NCDPI Educator on Loan from Burke County Public Schools

Erin is an experienced public school educator that strives to build connections through relationships in order to lead meaningful learning experiences. She's a wife, mom, and doctoral student. She's a curious introvert that loves to talk about books.

Wednesday January 22, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Educators Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC Coaches and SLMC

2:00pm EST

Scaffolding the Use of Tech Tools to Limiting Learning Barriers LIMITED

Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

In this session, we will discuss how scaffolding the use of a digital tool like Canva can benefit students in terms of products created and enhance learning experiences in the classroom. We would all agree that the more we use a tool, the more comfortable we are with it, and the better the products we produce. Do we approach student products the same way?This session will provide practical strategies and examples to effectively integrate Canva into your teaching practice and easy ways to connect activities, building on the understanding of Canva as a tool leading to a higher level of creativity, more in-depth projects, and ultimately better products, refocusing on the learning and not the challenge of learning a new tool all the time.Participants will discuss how we scaffold learning content and how we apply this concept to tools in the classroom or if we even do. Then, we will walk through a sample yearly curriculum showcasing ways Canva could be tactfully applied and how the scaffolding concept would work. Lastly, participants will get a chance to share ways they have used Canva in the classroom and if they used the scaffolding concept or if scaffolding the use of the tool would have changed student outcomes.

Speakers

Kalo Haslem

Instructional Technology Facilitator, Harnett County Schools

I am a Teaching professional with proven experience developing and implementing multidimensional lessons covering various topics and using various tools. Specifically skilled in integrating technology tools into the classroom to support content, improve 21st-century skills, and extend... Read More →

Wednesday January 22, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Educators Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC

3:00pm EST

From Vision to Action: Building Strategic Plans That Deliver LIMITED

Wednesday January 22, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Ashley McBride

Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief, NCDPI

Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her role is to support PSUs and schools with their understanding and implementation of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan. You can reach out to Ashley... Read More →

Wednesday January 22, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Leadership Leadership

4:00pm EST

Classroom Instructional Strategies and Resources Found in Your ISTE/ASCD Memberships LIMITED

Wednesday January 22, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Ashley McBride

Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief, NCDPI

Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her role is to support PSUs and schools with their understanding and implementation of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan. You can reach out to Ashley... Read More →

Wednesday January 22, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Educators Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC

9:00am EST

From Vision to Action: Building Strategic Plans That Deliver LIMITED

Thursday January 23, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Ashley McBride

Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief, NCDPI

Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her role is to support PSUs and schools with their understanding and implementation of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan. You can reach out to Ashley... Read More →

Thursday January 23, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Leadership Leadership

10:00am EST

Intentional Technology Use: Avoiding "Zombie Learning" and Fostering Engaged, Purposeful Classroom Experiences LIMITED

Thursday January 23, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Ashley McBride

Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief, NCDPI

Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her role is to support PSUs and schools with their understanding and implementation of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan. You can reach out to Ashley... Read More →

Thursday January 23, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC

11:00am EST

Car Rider Line - There is an App for That! LIMITED

Thursday January 23, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Brandy Moody

ITF, Burke County Public Schools

Brandy Moody is an instructional technology facilitator with 21 years of experience in integrating innovative technologies into elementary school environments.

Erin Wolfhope

Instructional Technology Facilitator, NCDPI Educator on Loan from Burke County Public Schools

Erin is an experienced public school educator that strives to build connections through relationships in order to lead meaningful learning experiences. She's a wife, mom, and doctoral student. She's a curious introvert that loves to talk about books.

Thursday January 23, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Educators Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC Coaches and SLMC

12:00pm EST

AI Guidelines and Expectations: Empowering School and District Leaders for Responsible Implementation LIMITED

Thursday January 23, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Meredith Bates

Lead ITF & Digital Resource Manager, Cabarrus County Schools

Meredith is the Lead Instructional Technology Facilitator and Digital Resource Manager for Cabarrus County Schools. With 18 years of experience in North Carolina public education, she is dedicated to enhancing digital learning and supporting educators in effective technology integration... Read More →

Tina Platek

Lead Librarian, Cabarrus County Schools

Tina Platek is a district lead librarian and technology training manager for Cabarrus County Schools. With 20 years of experience teaching ELA, Broadcast Journalism, and working as an SLMC in high schools she has dedicated her work to enriching student experiences with literature... Read More →

Thursday January 23, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC

1:00pm EST

Digital Wizardry - AI Style! LIMITED

Thursday January 23, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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!

Speakers

Deena Pardon

District Digital Learning Specialist, Pitt

Hi! I'm Deena Pardon. I'm currently a District Digital Learning Specialist for Pitt County Schools, but I started my journey as a 4th grade Math and Science teacher. I graduated from East Carolina University, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters... Read More →

Thursday January 23, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Educators Leadership Coaches and SLMC Coaches and SLMC

2:00pm EST

Making an Impact: Evaluating Programs That Drive Change LIMITED

Thursday January 23, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Ashley McBride

Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief, NCDPI

Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her role is to support PSUs and schools with their understanding and implementation of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan. You can reach out to Ashley... Read More →

Thursday January 23, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC Coaches and SLMC

3:00pm EST

Classroom Instructional Strategies and Resources Found in Your ISTE/ASCD Memberships LIMITED

Thursday January 23, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

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.

Speakers

Ashley McBride

Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief, NCDPI

Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her role is to support PSUs and schools with their understanding and implementation of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan. You can reach out to Ashley... Read More →

Thursday January 23, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST
Room 20 - Carolina (Level 1)

Educators Leadership Leadership Coaches and SLMC