NETA 2025: Full Schedule

The NETA Board is excited to welcome you to a dynamic learning experience on May 1-2, 2025, at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney, Nebraska.

11:30am CDT

AI in Education: Is this Making us more Creative or Less?

Thursday May 1, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 1

Dive into this interactive panel debate! In this session, participants will debate the question of AI's role in education. Through thought-provoking spider-web discussion, we'll look at the complexities surrounding AI's role in the classroom. By the end of this session, participants will grow in their understanding of both the benefits and considerations of incorporating AI into teaching practices and have thought more deeply about this complex issue.

Speakers

Evi Wusk

Assistant Professor of Educational Technology, Peru State College

Dr. Evi Wusk, Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at Peru State College, draws from over 17 years of classroom experience. Her roles include High Ability Learning Coordinator, 7-12 Language Arts and Journalism Teacher, fifth-grade classroom teacher, and certified PK-12 Librarian... Read More →

Thursday May 1, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 1

Mini Session

Strands that Match Higher Education, Teaching & Learning
Tags Artificial Intelligence (AI), Conversation, Higher Education, Leadership
Grade Level Higher Education
Target Audience All

1:15pm CDT

Technology Coordinators: Current Issues Discussion

Thursday May 1, 2025 1:15pm - 2:00pm CDT

Silver 3

This is an audience generated discussion with your peers about
topics that are currently of concern to Technology Coordinators. Share your
problems and we will all share our solutions. See what's on the collective minds
of Nebraska's Technology Coordinators, because sometimes you don't know in
December what will be important in March.

Speakers

Adam Bauman

Director of Technology, School District 145 - Waverly

Lloyd Sommerer

Coordinator of Technology, Lincoln Lutheran

Lloyd Sommerer is a middle/high school teacher who likes math, physics, baseball, programming, building websites, reading books, growing beards, the sauce of the picante and points where these things intersect.

Thursday May 1, 2025 1:15pm - 2:00pm CDT
Silver 3

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information) Mini Session

Strands that Match Tech Coordinators
Tags Conversation, Information Technology (IT), Systems Admin, Technical Issues
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience All

4:15pm CDT

Fantastic AI-Related Questions and Where to Discuss Them

Thursday May 1, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Silver 12

If student over-reliance on AI in writing raises academic integrity concerns, is it ethical for teachers to use AI-generated feedback on that same writing? Should text-leveling tools be used for differentiation if students aren’t reading on grade level? Do you cite AI use, and if so, how? This session tackles these questions and more about AI’s role in education, providing resources, practical use-cases, and discussion time during the session for elevating your approach to AI integration.

Speakers

ESU Coordinating Council - Andrew Easton

Digital Learning Coordinator, ESU Coordinating Council

The Nebraska ESUCC was created in statute to coordinate the activities of Nebraska's 17 Educational Service Units. The ESUCC was created by LB 603 in 2007 and officially came into existence on July 1, 2008. The ESUCC shall work toward statewide coordination to provide the most cost-effective... Read More →

Thursday May 1, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Silver 12

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Tags Artificial Intelligence (AI), Conversation, Digital Citizenship, Staff Development
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience All

4:15pm CDT

Leveling Up Nebraska: The Rise of Esports in the Cornhusker State

Thursday May 1, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Silver 10

Learn how the Nebraska Schools Esports Association is driving the growth of esports across the state and transforming education. This session will showcase the benefits of esports for students and provide easy steps for schools to start their own programs. Discover how to join the esports movement and create opportunities that engage and empower students in your community.

Speakers

Matt Hinkel

Digital Media Educator, Grand Island Northwest

Nate Simons

Director of Technology, Louisville Public Schools

Thursday May 1, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Silver 10

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Teaching & Learning
Tags Conversation, Digital Citizenship, Leadership, Social Emotional Learning
Grade Level Middle, Secondary, Higher Education
Target Audience All

10:15am CDT

Google Admin Console Best Practices - Round Table Discussion

Friday May 2, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Silver 3

In this session, three Google Admin Certified Administrators will share their best practices for managing Google Admin Console policies in schools. Topics will include user management, device management, Google Workspace apps, and more. The panel will provide actionable advice on what to implement—and what to avoid—to help you maintain a secure and efficient Google domain for your students and staff. Gain valuable tips and tricks to ensure your domain remains healthy, safe, and well-organized.

Speakers

Nathan Gartner

Brian Gibson

Technology Coordinator, Northwest Public Schools

Jason Harris

Systems Coordinator, Elkhorn Public Schools

Jason has been fixing computers since he was in middle school. He has worked in technology at the Higher Ed and K-12 levels along with a few private-sector stops along the way.

Gary Warner

Technology Director, Adams Central Public Schools

Google admin, Star Wars, Star Trek, Geek stuff, Motorcycling, Why the sky is blue. Why is there 8 hot dogs but can only buy 10 buns at a time. Why does everything taste like chicken? The cave man did not have chickens, what did he call it? Why does someone believe you when you say... Read More →

Friday May 2, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Silver 3

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Tech Coordinators
Tags Conversation, Google Admin, Systems Admin
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience All

11:15am CDT

“That’s Me in the Spotlight”—Creating Audience for Students

Friday May 2, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 10

A student of mine said, “When it's actually published and other people are reading it, everyone kind of puts in more time and effort and just want it to be better." Yet research shows that most writing assignments are still for an audience of one—the teacher. How can we expand our students’ audiences with the use of technology? In this session, we’ll play with technologies, strategies, and activities that can expand students’ audiences, from simple formative writing to major final projects.

Speakers

Melissa Pilakowski

Friday May 2, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 10

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Elementary, Teaching & Learning
Tags Classroom Management, Conversation, Distance/Online Learning, Google Suite
Grade Level Elementary, Middle, Secondary, Higher Education
Target Audience All