Highlights from Our Gathering in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — October 2-3, 2025
Welcoming Faces & Building Community
Our time together began with introductions, including welcoming new board members Tracy Dabbs, Jeremy Sullivan, Julie Amadore. Gifts and personalized name tags set a friendly tone, followed by lively ice breakers that helped everyone get to know each other better and start things off with plenty of laughter. Board President, Liza Francisco-Voss, led us in reviewing the board norms, which focus on respect, collaboration, and celebrating our collective successes. Board members shared what resonated most for them — openness, positive intent, inquisitiveness, and the value of asking clarifying questions. These conversations set the stage for the collaborative spirit that would define the rest of our meeting.
Mission & Vision: Evolving for the Future
A central part of our time together was revisiting the NCCE mission and vision statements. Board members reflected on how our purpose has evolved over the years, discussing the importance of innovation, inclusion, and a broader approach to professional learning. The group brainstormed ways to update our statements to reflect the diverse communities we serve and the ever-changing needs of educators and learners. There was a strong emphasis on not only supporting educators but also considering new audiences, such as business and corporate clients, while keeping our roots in education strong.
Strategic Goals & Exciting Changes
We mapped out strategic goals for the coming year, including amplifying innovation, sharing best practices, and building relationships that stretch across state lines. One fun highlight: our new mascot! The board discussed naming the friendly “technology yeti” and increasing awareness for all groups, with leadership in IT and AI as key focus areas. Plans for conference city rotations and new partnerships were also considered, keeping budget and growth in mind. The annual NCCE Conference, scheduled for February 25-27, 2026, promises to be our biggest and most inclusive yet—a reflection of our commitment to reaching every educator.
Committee Work: Focused Action
New and established board committees broke out for focused work on finance, governance, membership, and strategic planning. This year, we added a Board Effectiveness Committee to help us continually improve. In our Teams channels, each committee rolled up their sleeves and got to work, collaborating on documents and ideas that will shape NCCE’s future.
Conference Updates & Affinity Groups
We’re thrilled about the upcoming conference and all its new features—fresh branding, 150 sessions, hands-on workshops, and summits on topics like AI, cybersecurity, CTE, and school libraries. Our affinity groups continue to grow, creating unique spaces for Black educators, LGBTQAI members, Indigenous/Tribe educators, Asian and Pacific Island educators, Latinx/Hispanic educators, Women in Tech, and more. There are also content-specific groups for elementary, middle, high school, higher education, IT professionals, school administrators, CTE educators, teacher librarians, and special education. These affinity groups will kick off each morning, fostering connection and collaboration.
Connecting the Community: Free Resources & Opportunities
Saturday’s session focused on ways to stay engaged with NCCE year-round. We encourage everyone to subscribe to our monthly newsletter (a great source for community highlights, resources, and upcoming events), read and contribute to our blog, and participate in community events and live sessions like “Live from NCCE.” Don’t miss the Student Cybersecurity Challenge—a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills and win scholarships. All these free offerings are available on the NCCE Community Website, so be sure to reshare and spread the word!
Looking Ahead: Planning & Participation
We wrapped up by planning for future events, including the January board planning session and the general membership meeting at the conference. There will be plenty of opportunities for members to get involved, win prizes, and celebrate our achievements together. And of course NCCE clothing is always available at the NCCE Shop.
Gratitude & Fellowship
Of course, the board meeting wasn’t just about work—it was also about building relationships and enjoying each other’s company. Friday evening’s dinner was a time to relax, share stories, and strengthen the bonds that make our board so effective. As we look ahead to an exciting year, we remain grateful for the dedication, creativity, and spirit of everyone involved in NCCE.
Thanks to all who attended and contributed. We invite our entire community to stay involved, share your ideas, and help us make NCCE a place where everyone can learn, grow, and connect.
Interested in Joining the Board?
In November through January, NCCE will share information about board positions that will become available in 2026. We welcome members to submit nominations to be considered for one of three positions. Stay tuned for details on how to apply!
If you have suggestions for the newsletter or blog, want to nominate a member of the month, or just want to get more involved, reach out- https://ncce.org/contact/!
Together, we’re building something special #IAmNCCE.