2025 Keynote Speakers
Opening Keynote
Dan Fitzpatrick
The AI Educator, Bestselling Author, Premium AI Strategy & Writer for Forbes.
Closing Keynote
Matt Miller
Matt Miller is an educator, author of six books, blogger and speaker. He has taught for more than a decade in public schools and has presented to thousands of educators all over the United States and beyond.
2025 Featured Speakers
Lindy Hockenbary
Meet Lindy
Lindy’s career began in a technology-equipped classroom, where she first blended teaching with technology. This sparked a journey into the world of supporting educators, encompassing roles in instructional technology, professional development, and curriculum design.
Over the last ten years, her consulting work has taken her to schools across the world. These experiences have given her a unique perspective on K-12 education and have been instrumental in her ultimate goal to support classroom teachers in delivering transformative learning experiences. This goal is captured in her book, “A Teacher’s Guide to Online Learning,” and in her daily work.
On a typical day, Lindy can be found assisting educational technology companies to meet K–12 educator needs and facilitating hands-on training for educators. Her work, often referred to as the “Lindy touch,” is highly regarded. This has led her to be named a 2024 EdTech Leader. She also holds several EdTech certifications, including Google for Education Certified Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert and Master Trainer, and Minecraft Certified Trainer and Ambassador.
Based in Bozeman, Montana, surrounded by mountains and her dogs, Lindy continues her mission to improve learning experiences for all.
Dr. Thuan Nguyen
Meet Dr. Thuan
Dr. Thuan Nguyen began serving as AVID’s CEO in 2022, following his tenure as President and Chief Operating Officer. Before his time at AVID, he spent 20 years working in public education, and he received national and international recognition for his work. He is responsible for doubling the number of AVID schools and spearheading the creation of more resources for educators and students than at any other time in AVID’s 44-year history.
In 2021, Thuan became the 58th person in San Diego State University’s history to be awarded an honorary doctorate for his work in education and for the free public services he created at AVID to help more than a million educators navigate the pandemic. The first person to receive such an honor from SDSU was John F. Kennedy.
Over the last two years, he has been spending his time meeting with teachers and school leaders to better understand their challenges and needs. In response, Thuan has been:
• Advocating and pressuring the U.S. Department of Education for a better response to FAFSA challenges and to provide more resources and support to AVID schools and students.
• Helping to address teacher turnover, preparation, and retention with the new AVID Certified Educator Program.
• Providing support for multilingual learners (the fastest growing demographics) through a new professional learning solution called AVID Emerge.
• Ensuring that AVID schools are on the forefront of, and benefit from, AI by launching AVID’s Instructional AI initiative in 2022. Today, more than a thousand classrooms and thousands of educators benefit from AVID Instructional AI tool, resources, and strategies.
More recently, he expanded AVID’s work by adding “career” to AVID’s mission statement and by launching services for AVID Alums.
Erika Sandström
Meet Erika
Erika is a Digital Learning Coach and 6th-8th grade Digital Media Teacher for Peabody Public Schools in Massachusetts, currently in her 33rd year as an educator. She specializes in Green Screen and creative video production. She has experience teaching grades 3-6, has created and presented Mindfulness Professional Development globally, founded @ClubMindful, and serves as a leader for her District’s SEL Team.
Her passion is to help educators, students, and parents globally through a movement called #MyBreathingBubble, which educates others on creating a personalized breathing bubble to incorporate Mindfulness into everyday tasks and beyond. Erika loves to promote joy in the classroom and beyond.
Dubbed “Green Screen Gal,” she shares her creative media and mindfulness passions as a keynote and featured speaker at conferences, provides district PD, hosts online webinars, serves as a Canvassador for Canva, and co-hosted Week of AI and Genially EDFest. She also created the Green Screen Summit, was featured on the cover of Ed Tech K12 Magazine, and was named one of the TOP 30 IT Influencers to follow.
Why Attend?
Speakers
Engage with inspiring keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and targeted strands focused on diverse educational needs.
In-Depth 2-hour Workshops
Experience cutting-edge sessions on AI, VR, AR, and other emerging technologies that are transforming education.
Clock Hours and University Credit Available
Network with peers, explore new strategies, and discover solutions to enhance teaching and learning. Join us to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving educational landscape and drive impactful change in your community.
CHECK OUT OUR 4 SUMMITS
Advancing K-12 Cybersecurity: A Hands-On Workshop with the Cybersecurity Rubric
As cybersecurity threats against educational institutions continue to rise, school leaders must strengthen their defenses and create safer learning environments. This summit provides practical tools and hands-on experience to measure and improve their cybersecurity practices.
CTE Works! Integrating Industry and Education for Tomorrow’s Workforce
Engage in collaborative strategies, explore innovative practices, and gain actionable insights to effectively align career and technical education (CTE) programs with industry demands. Learn to empower students with the essential skills and knowledge needed for success in their future careers.
The 3 Ships: Relationship, Leadership, and Partnerships
The 3 “Ships” – which focuses on your RelationShips, LeaderShip, and PartnerShips – is the perfect session to help you grow, develop and be happier as a person and as a leader – at home, at work and in life.
Super-powered Libraries: Maximizing Impact with Limited Resources
We’ll introduce you to a wealth of free Open Educational resources and connect you with like-minded panelists who will share their secrets for leveraging social media to connect with authors and access free educational materials. Plus, discover free pedagogical tools to enhance your presentations, webpages, pathfinders, and worksheets. Get ready to level up your superhero game!
Sponsor & Exhibit
Sponsoring the NCCE 2025 Conference positions your brand at the forefront of educational innovation, connecting you with thousands of educators and decision-makers. Showcase your products and services to an engaged audience eager to discover cutting-edge solutions.
Exhibit at the Conference
Exhibit at NCCE 25 and connect face-to-face with the vibrant and dedicated edtech community in the Pacific Northwest. The exhibit hall is a critical component of the NCCE conference program, offering participants the opportunity to experience innovative products and to make purchases relevant to their institution’s expanding needs in a collaborative learning environment.
Affinity Sessions
Affinity sessions are exclusive communities that bring together like-minded individuals with common interests or identities. These sessions provide a unique space for meaningful open discussions to connect and collaborate.
“As an attendee of the NCCE Conference, I was blown away by the wealth of knowledge and innovative practices shared. Networking with other passionate educators was invaluable, and the hands-on workshops left me inspired and equipped with new tools to enhance my teaching. This conference is a must for anyone serious about driving educational change.”