tf-tulalip

TechFest North

October 10th, 2024

Tulalip Resort

10200 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip, WA 98271

FREE Event! Breakfast and lunch provided.

Schedule

Thursday, October 10th

08:30AM Breakfast & Check-In

09:00AM Opening Keynote

10:00AM Morning Sessions

12:00PM Lunch/Vendor Exhibit (Buffet)

01:00PM Vendors/Exhibitors

01:30PM Afternoon Sessions

02:30PM Closing Keynote

03:00PM Social Hour

Spirit-Mountain-600x400

TechFest South

October 17th, 2024

Spirit Mountain Casino

27100 SW Salmon River HWY, Grand Ronde, OR 97347

FREE Event! Breakfast and lunch provided.

Schedule

Thursday, October 17th

08:30AM Breakfast & Check-In

09:00AM Opening Keynote

10:00AM Morning Sessions

12:00PM Lunch/Vendor Exhibit (Buffet)

01:00PM Vendors/Exhibitors

01:30PM Afternoon Sessions

02:30PM Closing Keynote

03:00PM Social Hour

TechFest 2024 Speakers

Keynote Speakers

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Mark Sparvell, B.Ed, M.Ed.

Education Consultant at Microsoft

North

Mark Sparvell is an award winning education leader with over thirty years experience supporting transformation globally. Mark is particularly interested in how we leverage technology to humanize learning and not simply to digitize the curriculum content.

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Dr. Corey Frazier, Ph.D., PE

Engineering & Technology Equity Leader at Intel

South

Dr. Frazier has nearly 20 years of experience in technical leadership, innovation, and tech equity, including work on the Aurora Supercomputer and Space Shuttle missions. He drives strategic investments and partnerships that empower communities and foster business growth.

Breakout Session Speakers

Jennifer Styer

Bellingham Public Schools

Jennifer Styer

Bellingham Public Schools

STEAM Teacher and CTE TOSA

Jennifer Styer believes that teaching everyone computer science will make the world a better place. With over 18 years of experience teaching high school STEAM classes in Bellingham, Washington, she combines art and creativity with technology to help her students solve problems.

Session: "Code without Shadows: Illuminating AI Equity"

Kathi Etchemendy

Greater Albany Public Schools

Kathi Etchemendy

Greater Albany Public Schools

Director of Technology

Dynamic and progressive, Kathi excels at matching individuals, skill-sets and desired outcome to achieve team excellence. She believes in consensus, creative conflict and outcome-based problem solving to bring the best solutions to customers, partners, employees, peers and teams.

Session: "Unencumbered by Experience - Growing Your Tech Career in K12"

Edward Alexander

Everett Community College

Edward Alexander

Everett Community College

Executive Director of Technology Services

As Executive Director of Technology Services, Ed manage the technical team that creates and supports a vast majority of the technology experience at EvCC. This includes student and staff hardware and software products, the wired and wireless computer network, the campus server infrastructure, our web presence and integrated applications, and the tech support structure that assists and trains the campus community.

Session: "Cultivating Creativity in a Digital World"

Bre Urness-Straight

OSPI

Bre Urness-Straight

OSPI

Director of Educational Technology

Bre is an educational technology leader with over 25 years of experience in roles such as technology director, integration coach, and technical support specialist. She is the Director of Educational Technology at the OSPI, leading efforts in digital equity, media literacy, cybersecurity, and EdTech funding for all districts, especially rural and small ones.

Session: "Lessons Learned from the Annual Tech Survey"

Mark Vetter

MicroK12 | Puyallup School District

Mark Vetter

MicroK12 | Puyallup School District

Education Ambassador

Innovative leader of technology with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education and technology industry. A builder of systems and excellence, a lifelong learner with a Master's degree focused in Organizational Leadership from Seattle University and Superintendent's credentials from Western Washington University.

Session: "Cybersecurity: Playing Whack-A-Mole or Intentional Work"

Jeff Hinkle

Puyallup School District

Jeff Hinkle

Puyallup School District

Solution Engineer Manager

With nearly two decades of IT experience in education, they have led IT management platforms and teams to shape Microsoft’s flagship products to meet educational and business needs, seamlessly integrating IT facets to create products that 'just work.'

Session: "Cybersecurity: Playing Whack-A-Mole or Intentional Work"

Becky Keene

insight2execution

Becky Keene

insight2execution

Director of Operations

As the Director of Operations at insight2execution, Becky leads a team providing customized solutions for learning management, training design, and stakeholder engagement. With over 15 years of experience, she has supported schools and organizations globally in integrating technology into education.

Session: "The Power of the Prompt: Using Copilot to Support Your Work"

Leigh Anne Scherer

North Clackamas School District

Leigh Anne Scherer

North Clackamas School District

Director, Technology & Services

Leigh Anne transitioned to education technology in 2020 and now serve as the Director of Technology & Information Services in the North Clackamas School District. With a rich academic background and diverse roles ranging from ESL Teacher to Education Consultant, she brings a unique perspective to K-12 leadership.

Session: "Transitioning from MacBooks to Chromebooks: A Seamless Journey for K-12 Educators"

Leslie Snyder

Retired, Puyallup School District

Leslie Snyder

Puyallup School District

Retired, Teacher Trainer

Having spent 16 years in the classroom and 18 years training and coaching teachers, Leslie specializes in empowering educators to leverage classroom technology effectively. With an impressive 34-year career in education, Leslie brings a wealth of experience in adapting to change and implementing best practices to support student learning. Leslie's background in educational technology coupled with her deep understanding of teacher and classroom needs give her a practical lens and a nuanced understanding of the value of classroom technology

Session: "From Whiteboards to Touchscreens: A Journey of Interactive Panel Integration"

Trinh Pham

Puget Sound ESD

Trinh Pham

PSESD

Director of Education Technology

Trinh is passionate about inspiring connections, innovations, and transformations. As a leader, she
offers extensive knowledge of instruction, change theory, technology, and insights into effectively
working with teams. She brings value to professional learning, data analysis facilitation,
stakeholder collaborations, multilingual learners and dual language programs, and digital equity
and inclusion. Trinh has served school districts in Washington State and British Columbia, Canada,
engaging teams in deeper learning and building equitable opportunities for all.

Session: "Optimizing AI Prompts to Enhance User Interactions"

Shannon Thissen, Ph.D.

Capital Regional ESD

Shannon Thissen, Ph.D.

Capital Regional ESD

Regional Administrator for Educational Technology & Computer Science

Shannon is passionate about integrating technology in all academic content, providing educator
support in implementing computer science programs, and training and supporting the use of
Artificial Intelligence. As a leader, she emulates visionary leadership, is an effective communicator,
is a lifelong learner, and facilitates change. She has experience teaching in middle and high school,
Community college, University, and workforce training. Her research examined increasing
technology use in elementary education by introducing Computational Thinking as a foundation.

Session: "Optimizing AI Prompts to Enhance User Interactions"

Jon Woofter

NCCE

Jon Woofter

NCCE

Professional Learning Specialist

Jon Woofter spent 20 years in K-12 public education in Naples, Florida: first in the classroom and then in a series of administrative positions focused on curriculum, instruction, and school improvement. He has directed numerous large-scale technology adoption projects and pieces of training related to the thoughtful use of technology integration.  Jon has accepted a position at Clark College as the Technology Adoption and Integration manager, overseeing the implementation of student success software and a data analytics platform. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of Akron and a Master of Education in Educational Technology from the American College of Education.

Session: "Cybersecurity Basics for Educators: A Day in the Life of a Hacker"

Marc Elliott

Olympia School District

Marc Elliott

Olympia School District

Chief Information Officer

Marc is the current Chief Information Officer for the Olympia School District, in the state of Washington. This is his 11th year serving in that position, after spending 17 years in the Bethel School District as a classroom teacher, Technology TOSA and Technology Director. Marc has always been passionate about educational technology, innovative teaching practices and collaborating with peers. As the CIO for Olympia School District, Marc oversees Instructional Technology, Operational Technology and Student Information Systems. He is currently serving in his third year as a board member for the Association for Computer Professionals in Education (ACPE). 

Session: "Peer Collaboration Within the K-12 Environment"

Kristina Wambold

ESD 112

Kristina Wambold

ESD 112

Integrated EdTech Coordinator

Creator of the DigitalBug, Google Education Trainer, SWIS Facilitator, eVal Trainer, Adobe Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator, Technology Peer Coach, Certified Teacher and life long learner

Session: "What's New in EdTech: Top 10 Innovations for the 2024 Classroom"

Danielle Pinta

Google for Education

Danielle Pinta

Google for Education

Regional Program Manager

Danielle Pinta is a Regional Program Manager on the Google for Education team. Danielle works primarily with mid-sized school districts to help enable technology usage within K-12 districts. Outside of Google Danielle lives with her partner in Chicago and her two dogs, Ellie and Willow! Danielle has a deep passion for learning and helping students thrive; outside of Google you can find her taking a comedy class at Second City or cooking up a fun recipe! Danielle is currently working on getting her MBA at Northwestern in Chicago. 

Session: "AI & The Future of Education"

Sessions

Mark Sparvell - Opening Keynote: "The Power of Possible"

Kathi Etchemendy - "Unencumbered by Experience - Growing Your Tech Career in K12"

Edward Alexander - "Cultivating Creativity in a Digital World"

Becky Keene - "The Power of the Prompt: Using Copilot to Support Your Work"

Leslie Snyder - "From Whiteboards to Touchscreens: A Journey of Interactive Panel Integration"

Jennifer Styer - "Code without Shadows: Illuminating AI Equity"

Jon Woofter - "Cybersecurity: A Day in the Life of a Hacker"

Bre Urness-Straight - "Lessons Learned from the Annual Tech Survey"

Mark Vetter & Jeff Hinkle - "Cybersecurity: Playing Whack-A-Mole or Intentional Work"

Trinh Pham & Shannon Thissen, Ph.D. - "Optimizing AI Prompts to Enhance User Interactions"

Danielle Pinta - "AI & The Future of Education"

District Leads - Round Table Discussions

Mark Vetter - Closing Keynote: "Technology Lessons Learned as a Mariners Fan"

Dr. Corey Frazier - Opening Keynote: "Sparking Learning Through Collaboration: Using Grassroots Partnerships to Pioneer Technology Usages in Education and Beyond"

Leigh Anne Scherer - "Transitioning from MacBooks to Chromebooks: A Seamless Journey for K-12 Educators"

Jon Woofter - "Cybersecurity: A Day in the Life of a Hacker"

Kathi Etchemendy - "Unencumbered by Experience - Growing Your Tech Career in K12"

Mark Vetter - "Cybersecurity: Playing Whack-A-Mole or Intentional Work"

Leslie Snyder - "From Whiteboards to Touchscreens: A Journey of Interactive Panel Integration"

Marc Elliott - "Peer Collaboration within the K-12 Environment"

District Leads - Round Table Discussions

Kathi Etchemendy - Closing Keynote: Big or Small, Different in a Similar Way"

 

Districts Attending

  • Archbishop Murphy High School
  • Auburn School District
  • Bainbridge Island School District
  • Bellevue School District
  • Brewster School District 111
  • Burlington-Edison School District
  • Coupeville School District
  • Dieringer School District
  • Edmonds SD
  • Everett Community College
  • Federal Way Public Schools
  • Franklin Pierce School District
  • Highline Public Schools
  • Issaquah School District
  • Kent School District
  • Lake Stevens School District
  • Lake Washington School District
  • Lakewood School District #306
  • Launch Learning
  • Lynden School District
  • Marysville School Distirct
  • Monroe School District 103
  • Mukilteo School District
  • North Thurston Public Schools
  • Northshore School District
  • Oak Harbor Public Schools
  • OESD114
  • Open Window School
  • Puget Sounds ESD 121
  • Puyallup School District
  • Rainier Valley Leadership Academy
  • Saint Louise School
  • Seattle Christian School
  • Stanwood Camano School District
  • Sultan School District #311
  • Tacoma School District
  • Taholah School District # 77
  • Tahoma School District
  • Tukwila School District
  • Greater Albany Public Schools
  • Junction City School District 69
  • North Clackamas School District
  • North Marion School District 15
  • North Santiam School District
  • Northwest Academy
  • Ocean Beach School District
  • Scappoose School District
  • Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
  • Washington State School for the Blind
  • and more...

Present at TechFest 2024

Showcase how your work has had a transformative impact on technology integration in education. Your insights and innovations will be shared with and applied by educators and tech leaders across schools and districts.

Help shape the future of education technology!

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What Attendees Say About TechFest

 

"I always look forward to TechFest each year. It is a great place to network with other districts as we always learn from each other. The vendors are amazing and always help us look to the future for our learning spaces. Thank you for this inspiring event!"

Tracy Dabbs

Burlington-Edison School District, WA

“TechFest was an amazing opportunity for us to learn from industry leaders and peer school district Techology departments on challenges facing the K-12 environment. I really appreciated the sense of community it fostered. It gave us a chance to connect and collaborate with some brilliant minds. I couldn't help but come away from TechFest with a refreshed positive outlook on the challenges school districts face."

Sark Kirishian

Mead School District, WA

“Techfest was an excellent experience. I found a great amount of content and value fit into one day. You can tell that MicroK12 really cared about making sure everyone felt welcome. I felt like I was seen as a valued individual and not just another attendee.”

Ross Rother

North Central Education Service District, WA

“TechFest is a prime platform for networking with tech industry leaders. The event offered insightful workshops and discussions, expanding my knowledge in cybersecurity, tech trends, and funding strategies. Overall, TechFest is an invaluable experience for anyone seeking to stay ahead in the dynamic world of technology.”

Sarah Vasquez

Ephrata School District, WA
Mailing Address

3310 York Rd.

Lynnwood, WA 98087


Headquarters Phone

425-778-7337

Toll-Free: 800-658-1000


Service & Repair

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Toll-Free: 800-658-1000

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