SPEAKERS ARCHIVE

Learn more about the amazing featured speakers from past GaETC’s! We value our speakers highly, so take the time to learn more about them!

2024 SPEAKERS

2024 keynote SPEAKERS

2024 FEATURED SPEAKERS

Brian Buffington

Brian Buffington

EdTech K12's Top 30 to Follow in 2021 and author of the beloved weekly EdTech Newsletter “Buff Nuggets”, Brian Buffington loves helping teachers and leaders do more with technology. He’s passionate about using tech in creative, fun, and engaging ways. His background...

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Holly Clark

Holly Clark

FEATURED SPEAKERMeet Holly, a passionate educator and digital learning pioneer who has made significant contributions to the field of educational technology. With over 25 years of rich experience, Holly is not only an international speaker and a bestselling author but...

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Ayo Jones

Ayo Jones

Ayo Jones is a global educator, successful instructional coach, and charismatic speaker who brings nearly two decades of classroom and leadership experience to the stage. She is the author of Teaching with AI: The PEACE Framework, a practical guide to integrating...

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Keith Osburn

Keith Osburn

FEATURED SPEAKERDr. Keith Osburn is the Chief Information Officer and Deputy Superintendent for Technology Services at the Georgia Department of Education. Spending the early days of his career as a Chemistry and Physics teacher, Dr. Osburn was introduced to the world...

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Adam Phyall

Adam Phyall

FEATURED SPEAKERDr. Adam Phyall is a former high school science teacher who recently served as the Director of Technology and Media Services for Newton County School System in Covington, GA. Since Adam got his first laptop in college, he has been hooked on the...

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Daniel Rivera

Daniel Rivera

FEATURED SPEAKERDaniel has been helping teachers use technology wisely for over 22 years, advocating for tools and strategies that transform teaching and learning. He’s a Google Certified Innovator and has recently become a statewide speaker on all things AI related.

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Leslie Fisher

Leslie Fisher

FEATURED SPEAKERLeslie Fisher’s interest in technology began while studying music at the University of Southern California. She quickly realized the value of utilizing computers for music mixing and recording. She grabbed her 300 baud modem, jumped on the Internet...

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Tony Vincent

Tony Vincent

FEATURED SPEAKERWith a knack for simplifying tech and amplifying creativity, Tony helps teachers refresh their practice and reimagine what’s possible. 
Tony Vincent is an educator, creator, and consultant based in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He began his teaching career 27...

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Eric Toler

Eric Toler

FEATURED SPEAKERColonel (Retired) Eric Toler joined Augusta University in 2018 as Executive Director of the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (aka Georgia Cyber Center).  Mr. Toler previously served in the U.S. Army as a Military Intelligence Officer,...

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2023 SPEAKERS

2023 keynote SPEAKERS

2023 FEATURED SPEAKERS

Dr. Abbey L. Askew

Dr. Abbey L. Askew

FEATURED SPEAKERDr. Abbey L. Askew is an Instructional Technology Enthusiast with over 20years in education at the local, district, regional and state level. Herexperiences include service as a public school middle and secondaryEnglish teacher, Instructional...

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Marcus Borders

Marcus Borders

FEATURED SPEAKERMarcus is a Learning Innovation Coach with Ed Farm, who thrives as a servant to educators and students. Currently, he is charged with coaching/supporting educators and administrators with blended learning experiences, personalized coaching, coding, and...

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Eric Curts

Eric Curts

FEATURED SPEAKEREric has been in education for 31 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio where he oversees Google for Education implementation, training, and support, as well as other technology integration...

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Holly Clark

Holly Clark

FEATURED SPEAKERMeet Holly, a passionate educator and digital learning pioneer who has made significant contributions to the field of educational technology. With over 25 years of rich experience, Holly is not only an international speaker and a bestselling author but...

read more
Leslie Fisher

Leslie Fisher

FEATURED SPEAKERLeslie Fisher’s interest in technology began while studying music at the University of Southern California. She quickly realized the value of utilizing computers for music mixing and recording. She grabbed her 300 baud modem, jumped on the Internet...

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Cicely Lewis

Cicely Lewis

FEATURED SPEAKER Cicely Lewis—2020 School Librarian of the Year, named by SLJ and founder of the award -winning Read Woke® movement—is redefining what it means to engage students through literacy in the digital age. A school librarian, author of 13 books, and...

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Tony Vincent

Tony Vincent

FEATURED SPEAKERWith a knack for simplifying tech and amplifying creativity, Tony helps teachers refresh their practice and reimagine what’s possible. 
Tony Vincent is an educator, creator, and consultant based in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He began his teaching career 27...

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Shantel Lott

Shantel Lott

FEATURED SPEAKERShantel’s career began as a High School Theatre Tech Director and Social Studies teacher. Both positions fueled her passion for the Arts and History. She spent the past few years before joining the friEd Team as an Instructional Technology Specialist...

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Brooke Lowery

Brooke Lowery

FEATURED SPEAKERBrooke is a Google Certified Educator and Lead Learning Guide at friEdTechnology. Her goal is to inspire teachers to create a technology-rich classroom based on student inquiry and engagement.  In her sessions she enjoys sharing tips, tricks, and...

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Jorge Valenzuela

Jorge Valenzuela

FEATURED SPEAKERJorge Valenzuela is a well-regarded and nationally recognized performance and education coach, author, and speaker at Lifelong Learning Defined. He got his start in education and has helped countless educators improve their leadership and instructional...

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2022 SPEAKERS

2022 keynote SPEAKERS

2022 FEATURED SPEAKERS

Dr. Abbey L. Askew

Dr. Abbey L. Askew

FEATURED SPEAKERDr. Abbey L. Askew is an Instructional Technology Enthusiast with over 20years in education at the local, district, regional and state level. Herexperiences include service as a public school middle and secondaryEnglish teacher, Instructional...

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Eric Curts

Eric Curts

FEATURED SPEAKEREric has been in education for 31 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio where he oversees Google for Education implementation, training, and support, as well as other technology integration...

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Leslie Fisher

Leslie Fisher

FEATURED SPEAKERLeslie Fisher’s interest in technology began while studying music at the University of Southern California. She quickly realized the value of utilizing computers for music mixing and recording. She grabbed her 300 baud modem, jumped on the Internet...

read more
Cicely Lewis

Cicely Lewis

FEATURED SPEAKER Cicely Lewis—2020 School Librarian of the Year, named by SLJ and founder of the award -winning Read Woke® movement—is redefining what it means to engage students through literacy in the digital age. A school librarian, author of 13 books, and...

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Tony Vincent

Tony Vincent

FEATURED SPEAKERWith a knack for simplifying tech and amplifying creativity, Tony helps teachers refresh their practice and reimagine what’s possible. 
Tony Vincent is an educator, creator, and consultant based in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He began his teaching career 27...

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Victor Hicks

Victor Hicks

FEATURED SPEAKERVictor “Coach”Hicks is the founder and director of Coding with Culture, an organization designed to create a Kindergarten through HBCU pathway in Computer Science and STEM. Victor Hicks is also a K-8th grade STEM teacher in Decatur, Georgia.  Victor’s...

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Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones

FEATURED SPEAKERAmanda Jones is the 2021 School Library Journal Co-Librarian of the Year, a 2021 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, and the 2020 Louisiana School Librarian of the Year.  She was named one of the 30 K-12 IT Influencers to Follow in 2022 by EdTech...

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2021 SPEAKERS

2021 keynote SPEAKERS

2021 FEATURED SPEAKERS

Michael Bonner

Michael Bonner

Seen on The Ellen Show and NBC Nightly News, educator, speaker, and author Michael Bonner has taken to more than 100 education conferences, school district meetings and leadership development stages across the U.S. & Canada to share his "lessons learned" from...

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Leslie Fisher

Leslie Fisher

FEATURED SPEAKERLeslie Fisher’s interest in technology began while studying music at the University of Southern California. She quickly realized the value of utilizing computers for music mixing and recording. She grabbed her 300 baud modem, jumped on the Internet...

read more
Cicely Lewis

Cicely Lewis

FEATURED SPEAKER Cicely Lewis—2020 School Librarian of the Year, named by SLJ and founder of the award -winning Read Woke® movement—is redefining what it means to engage students through literacy in the digital age. A school librarian, author of 13 books, and...

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Adam Welcome

Adam Welcome

Adam has been a teacher, Principal, Director of Innovation for a district with 35,000 students and enjoys pushing the envelope to always do what's best for kids! Adam was Principal of the Year for his region, a 20 To Watch for the National School Board Association,...

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Natasha Rachell

Natasha Rachell

Dr. Natasha Rachell, a passionate educator, is an alternatively certified high school science teacher turned edtech enthusiast, currently serving as a Digital Learning Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools! Natasha has immersed herself into the instructional...

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Martha Bongiorno

Martha Bongiorno

Martha Bongiorno is a national speaker and presenter, school library activist, and creator of possibilities. Currently serving as a school librarian in Metro Atlanta, Martha supports students and educators by pushing boundaries of traditional education to empower...

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Jennifer Hall

Jennifer Hall

Jennifer Hall has been an educator for more than twenty-three years and currently serves as one of Atlanta Public Schools' Educational Technology Specialists. As a member of the district's Instructional Technology Department, Jen collaborates with teachers to...

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2020 SPEAKERS

2020 keynote SPEAKERS

2020 FEATURED SPEAKERS

GA State School Superintendent Richard Woods

GA State School Superintendent Richard Woods

Richard Woods was born in Pensacola, Florida and while growing up in a military family, lived in California, Hawaii and Virginia before moving to Georgia. He graduated from Fitzgerald High School, and went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Kennesaw State...

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Michael Hernandez

Michael Hernandez

Michael is an award-winning cinema and journalism teacher in Los Angeles whose work focuses on digital storytelling, media literacy and social justice. As an author, keynote speaker and consultant, he helps educators empower students to find passion and purpose in...

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Brian Buffington

Brian Buffington

EdTech K12's Top 30 to Follow in 2021 and author of the beloved weekly EdTech Newsletter “Buff Nuggets”, Brian Buffington loves helping teachers and leaders do more with technology. He’s passionate about using tech in creative, fun, and engaging ways. His background...

read more
Leslie Fisher

Leslie Fisher

FEATURED SPEAKERLeslie Fisher’s interest in technology began while studying music at the University of Southern California. She quickly realized the value of utilizing computers for music mixing and recording. She grabbed her 300 baud modem, jumped on the Internet...

read more
Jennifer Leban

Jennifer Leban

Jennifer Leban is a 2020 IL State Teacher of the Year Finalist and 2019-20 Teach Plus Illinois Teaching Policy Fellow. A National Board Certified Teacher, Jennifer teaches creative technology and visual arts classes at Sandburg Middle School in Elmhurst, IL. In 2018,...

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Shannon Miller

Shannon Miller

Shannon McClintock Miller is an international speaker, consultant and author who has a passion for education, librarianship, advocacy, technology, social media and making a difference in the world and lives of others, especially children. Shannon brings a special...

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Natasha Rachell

Natasha Rachell

Dr. Natasha Rachell, a passionate educator, is an alternatively certified high school science teacher turned edtech enthusiast, currently serving as a Digital Learning Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools! Natasha has immersed herself into the instructional...

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MaryEllen West

MaryEllen West

MaryEllen West is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and Innovator, speaker, technology consultant, and staff development facilitator who holds an EdS in Educational Leadership. She works as a district Instructional Technology Coach in Gwinnett County Public...

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2019 SPEAKERS

Kasey Bell

Kasey Bell

Kasey Bell Kasey Bell is part sparkling smile, part witty personality and a whole heap of passion as big as a Texas–go big or go home, y’all! She is a disruptor of the boring.  An engaging, innovative, from the heart sharer who inspires educators while transforming...

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Wanda Terral

Wanda Terral

Wanda Terral Twenty-­five year educator Dr. Wanda Terral is the Director of Technology for the Lakeland School System (TN). A former band director, Wanda is constantly seeking information relating to techniques & practices related to the use of tech to empower...

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Jennie Magiera

Jennie Magiera

Jennie Magiera Jennie Magiera is the author of Courageous Edventures and the founder and president of the non-profit organization, Our Voice Alliance, whose mission is to elevate marginalized voices and perspectives to improve equity & empathy in education....

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Steve Dembo

Steve Dembo

Steve Dembo As a former kindergarten teacher and school Director of Technology Steve Dembo is a pioneer in the field of educational social networking. Currently serving as Discovery Education's Director of Social Media Strategy and Online Community, Dembo was among...

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Leslie Fisher

Leslie Fisher

FEATURED SPEAKERLeslie Fisher’s interest in technology began while studying music at the University of Southern California. She quickly realized the value of utilizing computers for music mixing and recording. She grabbed her 300 baud modem, jumped on the Internet...

read more
Shannon Miller

Shannon Miller

Shannon McClintock Miller is an international speaker, consultant and author who has a passion for education, librarianship, advocacy, technology, social media and making a difference in the world and lives of others, especially children. Shannon brings a special...

read more
Natasha Rachell

Natasha Rachell

Dr. Natasha Rachell, a passionate educator, is an alternatively certified high school science teacher turned edtech enthusiast, currently serving as a Digital Learning Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools! Natasha has immersed herself into the instructional...

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Linette Attai

Linette Attai

Linnette Attai is Project Director for CoSN’s Privacy Initiative and Trusted Learning Environment Program. For over 25 years, Linnette Attai has been building organizational cultures of compliance and guiding clients through the complex obligations governing data...

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Michael Hernandez

Michael Hernandez

Michael is an award-winning cinema and journalism teacher in Los Angeles whose work focuses on digital storytelling, media literacy and social justice.  As an author, keynote speaker and consultant, he helps educators empower students to find passion and purpose in...

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Dr. Chris Craft

Dr. Chris Craft

Dr. Christopher Craft is an award-winning educator and speaker based in South Carolina. As a classroom teacher, he has been recognized both locally and nationally for innovative teaching with technology. Most recently he was selected from among more than 1,000...

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Steve Garton

Steve Garton

Steve Garton is a Senior Manager for Common Sense Education. He is an expert in meaningful technology integration, particularly in large-scale initiatives. He supports districts with professional development planning, program monitoring, student assessment, and...

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