- Deb Boisvert ~ NHSTE
- Randy Wormald & Mark MacLean ~ NHSAA
- Bob Jozokos ~ NHASP
- Sam Dixon ~ NHSLMA
- Jenn Lowton ~ NHCTO
- Julie Sage ~ Student SpotLight
Deb Boisvert ~ NHSTE ~ Wednesday, 10:00 to 10:50am
It's a New Day & a New Google
New icons, new search algorithms, new storage limits, GSuite to Workspace ~ Google has always been quick to add new features but this year has been like no other. Some changes are expected, some magical, and some a bit on the darker side. Take a breath and check out where Google stands today. Deb shares what she knows and you are encouraged to share what you have discovered and together we will look at the implications of these changes and strategize how to keep updated with future changes.
Deb Boisvert
Deb Boisvert has 30+ years' worth of experience in education including the classroom, technology coordination/integration, administration, professional development, presentations, and conference planning. She has a special interest in working with adult learners in nonprofits and educational institutions to develop and implement plans for the integration of the latest in Google tools to improve instruction and team effectiveness. Deb has served on the NHSTE Board as both president and treasurer and has received the ISTE MakingIT Happen Award.
NHSAA ~ Wednesday, 8:30 to 9:20am
Randy Wormald, Assistant Superintendent of Schools ~ SAU 46 (Merrimack Valley & Andover) ~ lead presenter
Mark MacLean, Superintendent of Schools ~ SAU 46 46 (Merrimack Valley & Andover) ~ co-presenter
W1-01 Where are the flying cars?
Join Randy and Mark on a journey that includes a variety of "futuristic" and "back to the future" views of education now and down the road. These co-presenters demonstrate and discuss some future-proof ideas that they have experienced from around the region. Topics may include: virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, as well as low- and no-tech applications for the future of education. The session includes movie quotes, references from previous decades, some video clips, and attempts at witty banter.
Randy Wormald
Randy’s educational career spans 30+ years here and abroad as a math teacher, computer teacher, technology integrator, department head, and assistant superintendent. He strives to embrace innovative practices regardless of his educational role. He is committed to inspiring and engaging students and faculty through relationship building and the use of current and emerging technologies. Randy is a former New Hampshire Teacher of the Year and Disney Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year. He was featured in the book One-On-One With America's Most Inspiring Teachers: Conversations on the Art of Teaching by Mike Roberts.
Mark MacLean
With nearly three decades of experience in public education, Mark has been a classroom teacher, a department chair, a building-level administrator, an assistant superintendent, and a superintendent. In every role, technology and innovation have been integral. As a classroom teacher, Mark was recognized as New Hampshire's Technology Using Educator of the Year in 2003. As a former computer graphics and programming instructor, he is comfortable in both creative and analytical environments. Always seeking applicable technological innovations and efficiencies, Mark embraces change and is confident in leading others through the process. Mark is a doctoral candidate at Plymouth State University, serves on the New Hampshire School Administrators Association (NHSAA) Executive Board, and is one of two New Hampshire representatives on the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Governing Board.
Bob Jozokos ~ NHASP ~ Tuesday, 8:30 to 9:20am
T1-01 Backwards Bikes, Stranger Things, & Star Wars: Leading through 2020-21
Come explore ways to make your leadership personal, meaningful, and fun so it connects to students and staff in a genuine and effective way. Bob talks about why he made the conscious decisions to build a backwards bike, add the lettering "Hawkins Power and Light" to his truck, and dress as Darth Vader through the fall and winter of 2020-21 and Obi-Wan in the spring. He explains how those things supported student learning, social-emotional wellbeing, and keeping everyone safe during the height of the pandemic. After hearing from Bob, participants have a list of techniques, personal topics of their own to connect on, and a couple of tech tricks to use in their school leadership roles.
Bob Jozokos
Bob serves his third year in the role of Bedford High School principal and has been at BHS for 15 years. He started at Bedford High School as a member of the Planning Team in 2006 and when they opened Bob became the Assistant Principal. He helped establish their International Baccalaureate program, Advisory program, senior project, Intersession program, teacher rounds, and their student exchange programs to Denmark, France, Spain, and Taiwan. Prior to going to Bedford, Bob was a Humanities teacher at Bow High School and before that an English teacher at Raymond High School.
Sam Dixon ~ NHSLMA ~ Tuesday, 10:00 to 10:50am
T2-01 Podcasting: Trips, Tricks & Other Nerdiness
From Bear Brook and Serial to Office Ladies and Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, podcasting has grown exponentially over the last couple of years. Whether you are looking for an assessment tool or a community-wide audience, podcasting can be a simple and effective platform. Hear how one school developed a podcasting channel and explore some tips and tricks and tools to get podcasting going in your classroom, library, or school.
Sam Dixon
Sam has worked as the Library Media Teacher at Bow High School for the last six years. Before that, he was an English teacher for fifteen years. Sometimes known as a "guybrarian" and other times as a "barbarian librarian," he enjoys the geekier pleasures of life, including co-advising Bow High School's Live Action Role Play club. He received an undergraduate degree from St. Michael's College and completed graduate work through Plymouth State University. He grew up on a steady diet of The Three Stooges, Monty Python, Mel Brooks, the Muppets, and anything in the fantasy and science fiction genres. His favorite books include Jurassic Park and the Prydain Chronicles. His favorite movies include Return of the Jedi (okay, anything Star Wars), Labyrinth, and Unbreakable. He lives in Warner with his wife, two sons, and black lab Shadow.
Jenn Lowton ~ NHCTO ~ Tuesday, 1:15 to 2:05pm
District Director of Technology, Sacopee Valley Schools MSAD55
Google in Education Trainer and Consultant
T3-01 After the Pandemic: Lessons Learned in School IT Management
The past school year has been like none other! Join Jenn for an interactive discussion on lessons learned during virtual learning, major shifts in school technology programs, and how to maintain the momentum with innovation this side of the pandemic. Discuss tools that teachers, Administrators and IT staff found the most beneficial supporting multiple styles of flexible learning environments created during the pandemic as well. Time is planned for you to share your experiences and join in the discussion.
Jenn Lowton
Jennifer Lowton is a multi-certified experienced educator, Google for Education Trainer and IT Leader with a strong background in integration of technology in education, special education and professional development. She has served as a District Director of Technology, Digital Learning Coordinator, Professional Development Center Director, Technology Integration Specialist, and Special Education Teacher. She presents on various topics relating to technology in education and assistive technology for unique and special learners at venues such as the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, NHSTE Tech Teachers SIG Series, NHDOE/KSC Common Core Summit, and ISTE 2014
Julie Sage ~ Student ~ Tuesday, 2:40 to 3:30pm
STEM Digital Content Designer & Nashua High School Student
T4-01 STEAM vs. Sports: How Sports Provide a New Way to Teach STEAM
Learn about why STEAM interest has been decreasing and how to fix it through the education system by using sports as an example. Kids' interest in STEAM is at an all-time low and continues to decrease. There have been a multitude of attempts to change that trend, with no overall positive impact. Julie presents a new method by learning from sports and applying it to how we teach and interact with STEAM.
Julie Sage
Julie Seven Sage, 17, lives in Nashua, NH. She loves all science but is especially interested in astrophysics. Julie uses her YouTube channel, 7 Sage Labs, to post videos for her four shows:
- Supernova Style Science News ~ shares interesting science news with her audiences
- THE STEAM SHOP ~ includes reviews of science-based toys/kits and shows how to make things
- SciFacts ~ offers short videos where she shares interesting facts about just about anything, and
- Sage Lab Notes (Julie’s vlog) ~ discusses a wide range of topics from science to politics, social issues, and much more
Julie is also an inventor with many ideas for products to help people around the world. In 2020 Julie entered in to the XPRIZE Next-Gen Mask Challenge with her new innovative face mask design. Out of hundreds of submissions from around the world, Julie’s design made it to the Top 10. Her goal is to increase interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and math through her show and other various outreach activities.