Learning Unleashed: ISTE Authors on the Future of Technology in Education

Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff is a former classroom teacher who now serves as a digital learning specialist/professional development coordinator. Laurel works with educators to successfully integrate educational technology into curriculum for lasting student learning outcomes. Her areas of expertise include digital citizenship, media literacy, blended learning, curriculum instruction/design, and educational technology and innovation. Laurel provides instructional practices to educators across the world as the instructor for the ISTEU Digital Citizenship course and as an adjunct university professor. Her book, “Bring History and Civics to Life: Lessons and Strategies to Cultivate Informed, Empathetic Citizens,'' will be released in 2022 through ISTE.

Kendra's ongoing focus is the application of UDL to instruction. She was a K-12 teacher, a district SpEd coordinator and AT specialist. Kendra owned her own professional learning company delivering large-scale technology implementation across NA. She then shifted her focus to the world of corporate training as Sr. Manager of Learning Design and Delivery. Recently, Kendra worked with her good friend Luis Pérez to co-write the 2nd edition of Dive Into UDL. Her passion is to help everyone involved in learning to effectively use the UDL framework to design inclusive learning environments that recognize and celebrate diversity.

Carl Hooker is an educational consultant and speaker from Austin, TX. He spent 10 years building a successful 1:1 and now consults districts striving for high quality blended learning. He is a former teacher and administrator and has written 6 books on mobile learning as well as being a named a National Faculty Member for Future Ready Schools. He hosts two podcasts (ISTE’s Learning UnLeashed and The UnDisruptED podcast) and an online course called The Remote Learning Coach for schools and districts looking for assistance when it comes to remote and hybrid learning. For full bio go to https://CarlHooker.com

Dr. Nathan D. Lang-Raad is an educator, speaker, author, and learning solutions leader. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, elementary administrator, high school administrator, and university adjunct professor. He was the Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, as well as education supervisor at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Nathan is the author of Everyday Instructional Coaching, The New Art and Science of Teaching Mathematics co-authored with Dr. Marzano, WeVideo Every Day, Mathematics Unit Planning in a PLC at Work, and The Teachers of Oz, co-authored with Herbie Raad. ​

Dr. Jennifer Williams has dedicated herself for 25 years to the field of education through her roles as an education activist, professor, school administrator, literacy specialist, and classroom teacher. As an educator and author of the ISTE book, Teach Boldly: Using Edtech for Social Good, she champions teachers to use educational technology purposefully for the planet and its people​. She is a professor at Saint Leo University and the co-founder of TeachSDGs and the non-profit organization Take Action Global. Connect with Jennifer on Twitter at @JenWilliamsEdu and at www.jenwilliamsedu.com.