Presenters
Specialist, Instructional Leadership
Jamie is a Specialist with the Instructional Technology Initiative and Division of Instruction at Los Angeles Unified School District. She supports the district in leveraging digital resources for student success through various models of support, including working with Practitioner Schools, supporting Professional Learning, and assisting with Signature Events. Jamie was an elementary teacher for 10 years, an EdTech Coach for 2.5 years, and is currently an Administrator. Jamie has a masters in Elementary Mathematics and an Administrative Services Credential. She’s an ISTE Certified Trainer and educator, Google Certified Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator, Common Sense Certified Educator and Ambassador, and a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner.
Head of Minecraft Education
Allison Matthews is the dynamic leader of Minecraft Education, inspired by Mojang Studio’s mission to build a better world through play. She spearheads the product vision and growth strategy and has evolved Minecraft Education into a global educational phenomenon with robust partnerships and millions of engaged players. She is passionate about using game-based learning to empower youth with crucial skills in areas like coding, digital literacy, and sustainability.
Sophia Mendoza is an innovative systems-level collaborator with nearly 30 years of experience as an education leader in the Los Angeles Unified School District and a member of the ISTE Board of Directors. As the director of LAUSD’s Instructional Technology Initiative, she leads computer science education and digital citizenship implementation. Mendoza cultivates leaders and learners for the digital world, recognized as the Latina Technology Champion, CUE Administrator of the Year, and for Best Overall Implementation of Technology by Tech & Learning. She is also the Association of California School Administrators Region 16 Technology Administrator, expanding instructional technology opportunities for all students.
Session description
Discover LAUSD's esports journey from PK-12 diving into Level Up Los Angeles Esports Competition with Minecraft Education with a sustainability focus. Explore how gaming can drive climate action in education, fostering student engagement, digital citizenship and eco-consciousness. Leave with insights for integration and firsthand experience of esports.
Purpose & objective
The purpose of this session is to provide time for an overview and application of learning. The brief overview will highlight the partnership with LAUSD and Minecraft Education and the development of the district’s Level Up Los Angeles Esports Competition with Minecraft Education as well as the professional learning that was offered to educators to support these efforts. Then, the participants will have an opportunity to explore the Level Up Los Angeles world in Minecraft. They will understand how game-based learning and esports can be incorporated with interdisciplinary instruction and they will experience real-world problem solving as it relates to climate action. Specific skills that will be introduced and practiced include design thinking, social-emotional learning and digital citizenship.
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Outline
20 min - Grounding: Whole group overview of LAUSD’s esports pathway. Summary of partnership with Minecraft Education and development of Level Up Los Angeles. Background on professional learning offered to educators to support implementation district-wide.
60 min - Exploration: Participants can work individually or in teams to engage in the design thinking process around climate action and prototype a solution in Minecraft Education in the Level Up Los Angeles world.
10 min - Application: Participant will be asked to reflect on the experience and discuss with others how they might apply the learning in their context.
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Supporting research
Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF) Research: https://www.nasef.org/research
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Explore and create: Deep-dive Creation lab 
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