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.

8:30am CDT

Gotcha! Use AI for Good Not Evil!

Thursday May 1, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Silver 11

AI can be student centered if we really try! Instead of trying to catch students in the act why can't we lead by example and take the power back from AI? Design things, create things, there will be practical lessons that you can use starting tomorrow!

Speakers

Dana Fontaine

Library Media Specialist, Fremont High School

Dana is a 9-12 Librarian in Fremont, NE. She hosts many clubs in the Library, which includes a developing Makerspace. She loves to read. Dana does not believe her job is truly a job because she feels it is much too fun to be a job. She lives with her daughter Luna and a houseful of... Read More →

Thursday May 1, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Silver 11

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Computer Science, Library Media
Tags Artificial Intelligence (AI), Library Media
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience All

8:30am CDT

Unlocking the Past: Creating Digital Archives for School Communities

Thursday May 1, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Silver 5

Discover how to digitize yearbooks, photographs, and memorabilia to create accessible, user-friendly digital school archives. This session covers best practices for scanning and preserving historical materials, organizing digital collections, and using open platforms to ensure public access. Participants will leave with practical strategies and tools to launch or enhance their own digital archiving projects.

Speakers

Chris Haeffner

Director of Library Media Services, Lincoln Public Schools

Lincoln Public Schools Director of Library Services

Sara Scott

Thursday May 1, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Silver 5

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

Strands that Match Library Media
Tags Leadership, Library Media, Multimedia
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience All

2:15pm CDT

All Roads Lead to Video

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

Silver 4

So, you want your students to produce media. You can stream it, you can upload it, you can print it…but how do you capture it? Video is easy; most of us have decent cameras in our pockets that get used every day (hour…minute…)...but what about *good* video? That’s harder. In this session, we’ll discuss practical ways to capture and edit better video for your content, on-set or on-location. Bring your computer if you like; Mac/Windows/Linux only, please.

Speakers

Alex Wyatt

Technology Consultant, ESU 11

Thursday May 1, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Library Media, Tech Integration Specialist
Tags Creation/Design Tools, Library Media, Multimedia, STEM / STEAM
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience Novice

2:15pm CDT

So Much to Do, so Little Time

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

Silver 5

How do you teach all the technology available today? As an elementary media specials teacher I see students once a week. I will share how I structure my technology classes to teach keyboarding, digital literacy, makerspace, research, computer science and more!

Speakers

Valerie Chmelka

Media Specialist, Grand Island Public Schools

Thursday May 1, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm CDT
Silver 5

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

Strands that Match Elementary, Library Media
Tags Computer Science, Digital Citizenship, Library Media, Maker/Makerspace
Grade Level Elementary
Target Audience Novice

3:15pm CDT

Building Media Literacy in the Age of AI

Thursday May 1, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Silver 4

In a world where AI rapidly generates content, students need media literacy skills to critically evaluate information, spot disinformation, and recognize bias. This session equips educators to help students develop essential dispositions and strategies to foster curiosity and skepticism. Educators will gain practical approaches and resources to build students' capacity for thoughtful media consumption, including understanding the influence of algorithms.

Speakers

Adam Vinter

Education Outreach Manager, Common Sense Education

Adam is an Education Outreach Manager at Omaha Public Schools in Omaha, Nebraska. He collaborates with Common Sense Media to help regional educators, students, and families approach media and technology thoughtfully while building healthy habits at school and home. By providing trustworthy... Read More →

Thursday May 1, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Computer Science, Library Media
Tags Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Science, Digital Citizenship, Library Media
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience All

3:15pm CDT

Making Your One Book One School a Success

Thursday May 1, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Silver 5

Looking for ways to engage readers across multiple grade levels? One Book, One School is a fantastic program to captivate even reluctant readers and build a sense of community through shared storytelling. Discover the triumphs and challenges of Norris Intermediate's OBOS initiative and connect with fellow librarians and educators to exchange ideas, strategies, and tips for launching a successful program at your school.

Speakers

Leia Rumsey

Intermediate School Librarian and Tech Teacher, Norris School District 160

Thursday May 1, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
Silver 5

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Elementary, Library Media
Tags Library Media, Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd)
Grade Level Elementary, Middle
Target Audience Novice

4:15pm CDT

STEM in a Minute-Paper Only

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

Bronze 1

Join our STEM session tailored for K-12 educators! Explore innovative ways to inspire students in science, technology engineering, and math. Discover how a simple paper activity can foster creativity, critical, thinking, and engagement. Leave with practical strategies to bring STEM to life in your classroom!

Speakers

Michelle Boyce

Classroom teacher, Fairview elementary BPS

I have been teaching 5th grade for the last 24 years but have been a teacher for more than 30. I am married, with two kids out of the house. I am a 1:1 iPad teacher and love all the learning I am doing to stay ahead (or dead even) with the curve of my students' learning. I have had... Read More →

Kayla Kill

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

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Elementary, Special Education
Tags Creation/Design Tools, Library Media, Science, STEM / STEAM
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience All

4:15pm CDT

"But I don't have a TA/Para!!!!!?!?!?!"

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

Silver 5

Do you have a TA/para in your library? If not, you probably feel like your hair is on fire and your to-do list is never ending all of the time! With more and more on our plates as media specialist/librarians, our job can become overwhelming and somtimes feel impossible to do without support! In this session, we will talk about ways librarians be more efficient, get things done, and (hopefully) feel less stressed when you don't have the support of a para/TA!

Speakers

Jacob Barry

Media Specialist, Elkhorn Public Schools

Amy Williams

Media Specialist, Elkhorn Public Schools

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

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

Strands that Match Library Media
Tags Library Media
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience All

7:15am CDT

Access Granted: AI Hacks for ADA-Friendly Websites

Friday May 2, 2025 7:15am - 8:00am CDT

Silver 3

Unlock the power of AI to create websites that are not only ADA-compliant but inclusive for all users. In this session, we’ll explore practical AI tools that make accessibility easier, faster, and more effective. Whether you're new to ADA compliance or looking to level up your skills, this session will empower you to build digital spaces that welcome everyone. We will learn about alt text for images, color combinations for readability, formatting suggestions for websites and more!

Speakers

Joy Harvey

Coordinator of Library Services, Lincoln Public Schools

Joy Harvey works with a dynamic team of leaders to provide resources, support, and coaching that empower school librarians to deliver meaningful and effective instruction. Passionate about digital literacy, she played a key role in developing and implementing digital citizenship instruction... Read More →

Emily Jacobs

Library Instructional Leader, Lincoln Public Schools

Friday May 2, 2025 7:15am - 8:00am CDT
Silver 3

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Library Media, Special Education
Tags Artificial Intelligence (AI), Assistive Technology, Creation/Design Tools, Library Media
Grade Level All Levels
Target Audience Novice

10:15am CDT

Lesson-Palooza: Over 264 Ways to Rock Your Elementary Library

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

Silver 5

Discover how one librarian partnered with school librarians district-wide to create a comprehensive elementary library curriculum. The curriculum includes 44 lessons per grade level with teaching slides, lesson summaries, and materials to enhance student learning. Lessons feature story connections or read-alouds, plus resource fliers to help families extend learning beyond the classroom.

Speakers

Betsy Thomas

11:15am CDT

Digital Curation for Year Round Library Success

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

Silver 5

Discover how digital curation can transform your library into a dynamic, year-round resource for your school community. Attendees will explore practical tools and strategies to keep libraries accessible and relevant throughout the year.

Speakers

Betsy Thomas

1:15pm CDT

Modern Digital Literacy Skills for Students & Staff

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

Silver 11

Have you ever said a website is reliable because it comes from a .org site? Did you know that actually almost anyone can create a website with a .org domain? Thus, this is no longer a recommended method for determining source reliability. Come to this session to learn modern digital literacy strategies to help you and your students select relevant and reliable resources using the Stanford History Education Group Civic Online Reasoning curriculum and resources from the News Literacy Project.

Speakers

Stefanie Green

School Librarian, Kearney Public Schools

Friday May 2, 2025 1:15pm - 2:00pm CDT
Silver 11

Concurrent Session (45 minutes where the presenter shares information)

Strands that Match Library Media, Teaching & Learning
Tags Digital Citizenship, Library Media, Middle Grades (6th-8th), Secondary (9th-12th)
Grade Level Middle, Secondary
Target Audience Novice

1:15pm CDT

Parent Power Up: Creative Ways to Communicate with Families

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

Silver 5

Build stronger connections between your school library and the families in your community. This session will explore creative strategies for engaging families with library programs and resources, from sharing read-aloud plans to leveraging digital tools. Learn how to communicate effectively, promote transparency, and extend library learning beyond the classroom.

Speakers