ISTE Ignite Sessions--Round 1 with Student Ignites

Sidharth Anantha is currently a Junior at Lexington High School, in Lexington Massachusetts. He is an avid aviation enthusiast, violinist, and inventor. He is the creator of the award-winning product, The Optiglass, an assistive device that helps the blind 'see'. Anantha is also the founder and current leader of the KtByte Robotics Program, where he, along with several other high schoolers, teach fully student-run classes, that educate local youth on Arduinos, Raspberry Pis, and the invention making process.

Barbara Bray hosts her podcast, Conversations on Learning, is the co-author of Make Learning Personal and How to Personalize Learning, and founder/owner of My eCoach (my-ecoach.com). She posts on her blog, Rethinking Learning (barbarabray.net), and is a national and international speaker, keynoter, and difference maker. Barbara has been on a lifelong mission to transform teaching and learning with the use of technology and innovative practices that includes using design thinking with personalized learning and Global Goals. By acquiring the skills all learners need, we develop our passions to discover our WHY.

Jennifer Casa-Todd is wife, mom, and a Teacher-Librarian in Ontario Canada, a former Literacy Consultant, and the author of the book, Social LEADia. She is also a GEG Ontario Leader, an ISTE Librarian PLN leader, and an adult mentor for OnEdSschat. She is completing research on the impact of mentorship on digital literacy, citizenship, and leadership at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. She is passionate about showing teachers and students how they can use technology and social media to make the world a better place.

Jaime works at her local high school to integrate technology into the curriculum. Jaime is a Level 2 Certified Google Educator, Trainer, and Innovator! She teaches graduate level classes for Ed Technology Specialists through Andrews University. Jaime founded the #LKWDFutureClub. This club exposes elementary students to computer science, the maker movement, and student led passion driven learning. Jaime also opened the Ranger Hub, a makerspace for students, teachers, and community members to create with. She is passionate about global learning, future ready learning skills, and student engagement. Jaime and her husband have six children and they all love technology!

Dr. Virginia Duncan has been an Instructional and Technology Coach since August of 2011. Ginny is most passionate about helping teachers through their professional journey. She loves assisting teachers in their individual professional growth and helping them become teacher leaders. Ginny has worked to transform Professional Learning at her school site. She continues to refine the school’s professional learning plan with innovative professional learning ideas and environments.

Tammy Glass has over 15 years in public school education. After starting a growing computer science program Tammy transitioned to Computer Science Specialist for Arkansas, where she has developed and presented professional developments across the state and at various conferences. Tammy's hope is that by sharing her experiences and knowledge with teachers they catch some of her excitement and can inspired to be great teachers just like others did for her. Tammy feels that when you have a desire to do something you are making an effort to reach your goal, your vision.

Sarah Jagels is a 2019 graduate of Independence Nontraditional School Center in Prince William County, Virginia. In the fall, she’ll attend Northern Virginia Community College and plans to transfer to Virginia Tech. In high school, Jagels participated in theater, SALC, Mini-THON, Key Club and volleyball. Although balancing these activities with academics wasn’t easy, Jagels worked hard and planned to attend a four-year university. An outgoing kid with a love for theater, Jagels pressured herself to succeed in school to the detriment of her mental health. At 13, she was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, but she didn’t let the diagnosis set her back, continuing a rigorous course load and participating in activities -- and placing therapy on the back burner. In her junior year of high school, she realized it was time to put her mental health before everything else. Seeking a lower-stress environment, Jagels transferred from a traditional high school to Independence Nontraditional. At Independence, Jagels sought help in and out of the classroom. Through her treatment, she’s learned several stress-reducing techniques she wants to teach others.

Douglas Konopelko is a father of 3, husband of 1, and a lifelong learner who currently resides in Palm City, FL. His current roles include the Coordinator of Digital Learning for Martin County Schools, author of the DesignedEdu blog, edtech consultant, Executive Secretary of FCITL (Florida Council for Instructional Technology Leaders), and the owner of 3PK Design. He is a passionate educator and design enthusiast with a focus on improving the student and teacher user experience through a streamlined digital learning ecosystem. His current passion projects: becoming a Project Management Professional and completing his School Principal certification.

I have taught for 9 years now, all at Newark High School. The first three were spent teaching physical science. The past six I have been a Technology Integration Specialist and presented at various conferences, including the Ohio Google Summit and OETC along with others, in the past on practical ways to use technology to enhance student learning. In the past two years, I have set up and ran our school's Maker Space, where I teach Intro to Computer Science and Entrepreneurship along with running a sign shop to generate funding.

Patricia Smeyers is the 2019 NJ State Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2018/19 Hudson County Teacher of the Year, and Certified Google for Education Trainer with a Master of Educational Technology from Boise State University. Patricia is a member National Network of State Teachers of the Year, NJ County Teachers of the Year, NJ STEM Pathways Network, NSTA, ISTE, NJAET, and TCEA, and loves her online PLN. .She has trained and coached hundreds of teachers, administrators, and professors through workshops, the NJEA Convention, and TechSpo'19 and now, ISTE19. Visit her site at everythingedtech.com.

Henry Turner is in his 7th year as a High School principal. He has spoken at many conferences about technology leadership, sharing his experience as the principal at Newton North and his previous role as principal at Bedford High School. As principal at Bedford High School, he led a successful 1:1 iPad program by focusing on developing critical and deep thinking skills, incorporating diverse perspectives and using PLCs as a forum for professional learning. Currently, as principal at Newton North High School, he is leading a 1:1 laptop program for 2200 students. He is on social media @turnerhj.