Award-winning artist and educator Tim Needles shares new, creative ideas for blending arts and AI
Move over, Chihuly—here comes Tim! Whether you’re an art educator aiming to elevate your classroom, a STEM teacher eager to infuse creativity into your lessons, or a tech coach and curriculum designer searching for fresh inspiration, this speaker is for you. District leaders cultivating innovative teams and anyone passionate about igniting student engagement and championing new ideas will find valuable insights here.
Creativity Unleashed: Tim Needles Takes the Stage at NCCE 2026
Prepare to be dazzled, inspired, and transformed—because Tim Needles, the electrifying artist, educator, performer, and author, is bringing his creative fire to the NCCE 2026 Conference!
Tim is the author of the acclaimed book STEAM Power: Infusing Art Into Your STEM Curriculum, published by ISTE and now in its 2nd edition. This essential guide empowers educators to blend the expressive power of the arts with the analytical rigor of STEM, creating dynamic, student-centered learning experiences. Whether you’re a science teacher looking to spark curiosity or an art educator eager to expand your impact, Tim’s book is your blueprint for transformation.
Tim Needles
A Must Meet
Tim has been teaching art and media for over 25 years in New York’s Smithtown School District and serves as a technology integration specialist and adjunct college professor. His work has been featured on NPR, in the New York Times, and exhibited in prestigious venues like the Norman Rockwell Museum, Cape Cod Museum of Art, and more.
He’s a TEDx speaker, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and a District Administrator Top 100 Education Leader for 2025. His accolades include:
- ISTE’s Making IT Happen Award
- ISTE PLN’s Technology in Action & Creativity Awards
- NAEA Eastern Region Art Educator Award
- ArtEdTech Outstanding Teaching Award
- Rauschenberg Power of Art Award
- 2025 NY State Art Teacher of the Year.
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Tim’s Reach & Influence
Tim is a board member of NYSCATE and NYSATA, a leader in the CAN Connected Arts Network PLC, and a certified innovator across platforms:
- Adobe Creative Educator
- LEGO Education Ambassador
- Discovery Education DEN Star
- Google Certified Champion
- PBS Digital Innovator
- National Geographic Certified Teacher
Follow him on social media at https://x.com/timneedles for a daily dose of inspiration. Get Tim’s educational resources here: https://my-site-104734-104968.square.site/resources
Join Us at NCCE 2026
Be part of a movement that celebrates the arts in education. Let’s make learning beautiful. Let’s make it bold. Let’s make it unforgettable.
Register to See Tim at NCCE26.