EdTech Conference

Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) is global, nonprofit, member-based organization focusing on improving teaching and learning through the use of technology. TCEA is vital in increasing technology funding and access for PreK-16 schools. We are 29,000 strong led by a grassroots board of directors for 40 years. All resources support educators and other personnel in the field who enhance curriculum with digital tools.

“I welcome you to the 10th annual Area 1 Education Technology Conference. I am happy you have joined us. In these times, we must work together, be proactive, and support each other. Never stop learning.” - Dr. Cynthia L. Piña, Area 1 Director. To view ad schedule your sessions, go to https://area1techcon2020.sched.com/ will need to login and need password from email

Featured Presenter and Keynote Speaker

Claudio Zavala, Jr. An edtech and creative media consultant based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He recently joined Burleson ISD as the new Digital Designer, developing best practices for online learning. Claudio is passionate about fostering creativity in the classroom and using digital tools to engage learners. He has presented at various national and regional conferences including ISTE, SXSWEdu, FETC and TCEA and has been featured in various magazines including Toggle and EdTech Magazine. He is also experienced in social media management, something he learned to do as part of his digital media consulting company, I Am Claudius. Claudio is an Adobe Spark Brand Ambassador and an Adobe Education Leader. He is an avid photographer and videographer. Recently, he has seen his YouTube channel grow in viewership, something he is having a ton of fun doing. He is also a professional musician, a master woodworker and a graphic designer.

Featured Presenter

Kimberly Lane Clark. An award-winning educator and keynote speaker based in Texas. She is the Director of Blended Learning and a computer science/ed-tech consultant. Kim began her career in educational technology 11 years ago, teaching students in grades K-12 in Mississippi and Texas. Today, she coaches hundreds of educators -- both face to face and virtually -- in Computer Science, Diversity inclusion, Blended Learning strategies, and Project-Based Learning (PBL). She has also served as the computer science president for ISTE Computer Science Network, and currently serves as a consultant for EdTechTeam, Code.org, The Director of Sponsorship for Girls in Tech and is the city lead for Black Tech Women in Dallas.

Featured Presenters

Janet Corder and Joan Gore. These two ladies love to have fun, and it shows in every professional presentation they give. For them, it's more than just a process, it's a calling. Their trainings take the fear out of integrating technology across the curriculum, meeting the needs of the beginner to the most advanced user. As former classroom teachers assigned to integrate technology at the campus and district levels, Janet and Joan understand the specific needs of educators.

Schedule

7:00 –8: 00 AM Welcome! By Dr. Cynthia Piña (Instructions provided)

8:00 –9:00 AM Keynote: Inspiring Creativity in Your Classroom by Claudio Zavala, Jr.

9:15 –10:15 AM 1) Getting started Google Classroom! by David York and Monica York 2) Cyber.org Elementary & Middle School Showcase by Kevin Nolten 3) Blended Learning: A Shift in the Paradigm of Creating an Authentic Learning Environment by Kimberly Lane Clark 4) Google Hacks by Miguel Guhlin

10:30 –11:30 AM 1) Sharing Your Story with Adobe Spark by Claudio Zavala, Jr. 2) Digital Choice Boards by Janet Corder and Jane Gore 3) Let’s Meet the New LEGO Classroom by Peggy Reimers 4) Setting Our Sights on Google Sites by Michelle Harvey & Raul Gonzalez

11:45 AM –12:45 PM 1) Member Networking: Best Practices for Remote Learning 2) Camp Out with Google Docs by John Hill & Richie Benavides 3) Dell eSports by Snow White 4) The Future is Now Lori Gracey, TCEA

1:00 –2:00 PM 1) Digital Mail Merge for Parent Contacts by Miguel Guhlin 2) Sanford Programs (SEL) at TAMIU by Cody Perry, Ph.D. 3) Tech Tools for Any Learning Environment by Janet Corder & Joan Gore 4) Using Google Slides for Distance Learning by Terry Guerrero

2:15 –3:15 PM 1) Summer Six Pack of Digital Tools by Roxann Martinez 2) Up Your Google Sites Game by Peggy Reimers 3) Gaming for Good: Building a Scholastic Esports Program from the Ground Up by Danielle Johnson 4) Pump Up the Jamboard by Walter Wilkins

3:30 –4:30 PM 1) Tech for Littles & Middles by Karina Quinlantan-Garza & Linda Martinez 2) Formative Assessments for Student Engagement by Liliana Gutiérrez & Carmen MacKinnon 3) Flipping for Flipgrid Fun by Fidel Hernandez & Javier Munoz 4) Tech Tools for Any Learning Environment by Janet Corder & Joan Gore

4:30 Closing Remarks by Dr. Cynthia Piña

Presenters

Jose R. Benavides is the Digital Learning Specialist for Memorial Middle School, Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications & Fine Arts, Jose Valdez High School, Lara Academy, and the Early College. He has been with the Instructional Technology Department for 12 years and with LISD for over 22 years. As an educator in technology, he continues the process of teaching the required technology in the classroom and also online.

Raul Gonzalez taught in elementary for 14 years at the Laredo ISD and is now a Digital Learning Specialist.

Lori Gracey is the TCEA Executive Director.

Miguel Guhlin’s motto is transforming teaching, learning and leadership through the strategic application of technology. He is a veteran educator comfortable with modeling the use of technology at the classroom, campus, and district level. He earned his ISTE Certified Educator status--the first Texan and Panamanian to do so--in September 2018. A national and international presenter, a prolific writer with over 100 publications in print, and a regular columnist and blogger with thousands of pieces published online. Miguel blogs at Around the Corner and for TCEA’s TechNotes Blog.

Lilly Gutierrez is a Digital Learning Specialist with Laredo ISD with 14 years of experience and a passion for technology in education integration. She holds certifications as a Google Level 1 and 2 Educator, Apple Teacher, Screencast Master, Seesaw Ambassador, Nearpod Educator, and Symbaloo Educator.

Terry Guerrero is an Elementary Digital Learning Facilitator for Laredo ISD. She has been in the education field for 23 years, 20 years with Instructional Technology. Mrs. Guerrero is Google Level 1 and 2 Certified, Apple Teacher, Seesaw Ambassador, Microsoft Education Innovator, and Nearpod Certified. She is a passionate speaker focusing on encouraging and helping teachers improve their technology instructional abilities. She also desires to see administrators, teachers, & students succeed.

Michelle Harvey taught in secondary schools for 15 years for Lafayette Parish School System in Louisiana. Ms. Harvey is currently employed at Laredo Independent School District as a Digital Learning Specialist.

Jose Fidel Hernandez, Jr. is a Digital Learning Specialist with Laredo ISD at Dr. J. G. Cigarroa Middle School.

John Hill is at Laredo ISD and has worked in the field of technology for over 20 years. Mr. Hill is responsible for the implementation of technology at Daiches Elementary and Ryan Elementary. As a member of the Instructional Technology department (as the Digital Learning Specialist), he continues to research various technologies and helps to explain the LISD district requirements for the students, teachers, and staff.

Danielle Johnson is one of the founders of the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation, and educator-run, nonprofit esports league for Texas schools.

Carmen MacKinnon is avid learner and technology enthusiast. She passionately taught science for six years at the secondary level. Currently, she is a Digital Learning Specialist with Laredo ISD at the elementary level and is a certified Google Level 1 Educator, Nearpod Educator, Apple Teacher, and Master Screen with Screencastify.

Linda Martinez is a Library Media Specialist at Liberty Middle School with PSJA ISD. She has over 14 years of experience as an elementary educator and has pursued multiple digital certifications which have earned her the title of Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2, BrainPOP Certified Educator, and Screencastify Genius. She dedicates herself to professional learning, crafting, reading, and advocating for librarianship. Feel free to connect with Linda by following her on social media @LibrarianLindaM.

Roxann Martinez is a Media specialist and McAllen ISD librarian, and a maker enthusiast with an ardor for teaching. Influenced by her love of art and new technologies, she teaches innovation applications through creativity. She is a proponent of literacy programs for learners at any stage in life with classroom teaching experience from self-contained elementary classrooms to adult presentations.

Kevin Nolten directs CYBER.ORG’s programmatic outreach efforts and partnerships. With a background in in K-12 administration, Kevin finds special meaning in cyber education and the impact it has directly on student’s futures. He keeps the laughter and the passion for cyber education burning bright at CYBER.ORG.

Javier Munoz is a Digital Learning Specialist with Laredo ISD at C.L. Milton & D.D. Hachar Elementary Schools.

Dr. Cody J. Perry is an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). He also coordinates the Sanford Inspire Programs, which provide interactive professional development and social emotional learning resources for teachers throughout the nation. Dr. Perry teaches math principles, assessment, and curriculum courses at TAMIU. Prior to coming to TAMIU, Dr. Perry taught at the University of Wyoming, taught middle school math and science, and 5th grade in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In addition, Dr. Perry conducts research into math anxiety and fraction knowledge and learning. In the past few years, Dr. Perry has published six peer-reviewed articles, a book chapter, and presented at local, regional, and national conferences. In his free time, Dr. Perry enjoys spending time with family, hiking, woodworking, reading, and writing. He recently wrote and illustrated a children’s book and is currently working on the sequel to that book.

Karina Quilantan-Garza is a Library Media Specialist at Jaime Escalante Middle School with PSJA ISD. She has earned an array of certifications earning her the titles of Google Certified Trainer, MIE, Apple Teacher, EDpuzzle Coach, and BrainPOP Certified Educator to name a few. She is an award-winning blogger for her site cuethelibrarian.com and for the local networking group that she helped organize by the name of RGV Library Squad. She is a strong advocate for professional learning, digital literacy, and meaningful educational change. Connect on social media @cuethelibrarian.

Peggy Reimers Former elementary teacher of 24 years. Director of Professional Development at TCEA.

Snow White is an educational thought leader and social media influencer with expertise around Professional Learning and Next Generation Digital Classrooms. Ms. White is an Education Strategist with Dell Technologies.

Walter Wilkins, Sr. is a Digital Learning Specialist with Laredo ISD at Dr. Leonides G. Cigarroa High School.

David York is a Laredo ISD Martin HS Digital Learning Specialist.

Monica York is a Laredo ISD Nixon HS Digital Learning Specialist.

Special Thanks:

Dr. Patricia Abrego, TAMIU Director of Academic Technology, Office of Information Technology

Mrs. Mely Paez, Laredo ISD Director for Library and Media Services

Mrs. Celia Taboada, United ISD Director of Professional and Staff Development

Ms. Judith García, Director of United ISD Instructional Technology Department and Program Coordinators

Mrs. Brenda A. Sepúlveda, Director of Laredo ISD Instructional Technology Department

Kassandra Romero, Student Teacher with the College of Education at Texas A&M International University

Jose Aello, Student Teacher with the College of Education at Texas A&M International University

Crystal Peralta, Student Teacher with the College of Education at Texas A&M International University

TCEA staff

All the Presenters!