The Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE) recently partnered with the Idaho Education Technology Association (IETA) to host a specialized professional learning room at IETA 26. Held from February 4–6, 2026, at the Boise Centre, this three-day event featured a unique blend of local Idaho expertise and national partnerships designed to tackle the most significant trends in technology education.
The NCCE room offered a unique balance of perspectives, featuring expert NCCE professional learning specialists from across Idaho alongside national leaders.
- Randy Hawkins: An Idaho Teacher of the Year and Boise State alumnus, Hawkins led high-impact sessions on Creating to Learn: Using Canva to Empower Student Mastery and Coding for Mastery, focusing on fostering student ownership through digital creation.
- Lisa Bray: A NCCE Professional Learning Specialist, Lisa led interactive sessions on the ethical integration of generative AI, focusing on empowering educators through Microsoft Copilot and collaborative “AI Brainstorming” to refine prompts and identify bias.
- West Ada ITC Team: Featuring Jennifer Marshall and Aaron Hubler, this team showcased practical strategies for MagicSchool AI, helping educators build chatbots and develop tools to enhance student critical thinking.
- Paige Somoza and NCCE Regional Ambassador Dr. Katie Mason: These Boise-based educators shared their deep expertise in instructional coaching to highlight emerging tools for the classroom.
Complementing our local talent, partners from across the country were bringing specialized training to Boise:
- National AI Leadership: Bridget Palmer-Chaves, former superintendent and Colleague AI Education Success Manager, led workshops on using AI for evidence-based decision-making and teacher-focused lesson design.
- Cybersecurity Expertise: Charlene Cooper, Director of CYBER.ORG, facilitated hands-on Cyber Range activities and Tabletop Cyber Scenarios, where participants acted as agents investigating realistic cyber events for three days.
- Global Innovation with LEGO Education: We were thrilled to feature Dr. Colleen Cannon-Ruffo, a Solution Architect for LEGO Education with 29 years of experience in public schools. Dana Hollander and Dr. Cannon-Ruffo led two essential sessions: Demystifying AI: Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Life in K–8 and Collaborate, Code, Create: Hands-On CS & AI Learning.
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The programming focused on the most critical needs for modern tech directors and educators:
- Strategic AI: Moving beyond basics to use AI-powered analytics for evaluating principal effectiveness and identifying district financial trends.
- Ethical AI Use: Lisa Bray (NCCE) facilitated an “AI Brainstorm” to help educators identify bias and refine prompts for responsible usage district wide.
- Cybersecurity Defense: Participants engaged in simulations that honed critical thinking and communication while navigating fictional cyber threats.
Think of the NCCE professional learning room at IETA 26 as a “Tech Bridge.” One side is anchored in the local reality of Idaho classrooms, while the other is connected to national research and industry-leading partners. Together, they created a stable path for tech directors to lead their districts into the future of AI, Computer Science standards, and cybersecurity.