NETA 2026: Full Schedule

The NETA Board is excited to welcome you to a dynamic learning experience on April 30-May 1,2026, at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney, Nebraska.

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10:15am CDT

ESPORTS More than Just Games

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Silver 5

More than a Sport, more than just games, eSports is a community and there is a future in it. It gives some students a reason to attend school, focus on academics and participate in a Sport while learning to eliminate online toxic behavior. Learn more about gaming with a purpose in a controlled environment and what is needed for a school to get going and be successful. Help schools teach real digital skills through the language kids already understand: gaming. Gaming Concepts curriculum helps students build confidence in digital literacy, problem-solving, and responsible tech use through ready-to-teach lessons aligned to Nebraska standards in all and built for grades 3-12.

Speakers

Jonathan Franta

Teacher and Coach, Omaha Central ESPORTS Coach

Rachel Murray

Customer Success Manager, PlayVS

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Silver 5

Concurrent Session

Company Computer Science, Tech Coordinators
Audience Computer Science, Digital Citizenship, Middle Grades (6th-8th), Secondary (9th-12th)
Subject Middle, Secondary, Higher Education, All Levels
Area All

10:15am CDT

Top 10 Tech Tools for 2026

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Silver 12

Dive into a curated selection of some of the best tools to use this school year! Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these tools can be seamlessly integrated into various teaching contexts to foster student engagement, collaboration, and achievement.

Speakers

Jenna Krambeck-Reeh

Instructional Technology Facilitator, Papillion La Vista Community Schools

Instructional Technology Facilitator at Papillion LaVista Community Schools, educator, learner, bookworm, techie, and NETA member of the Board of Directors.
3 things I am currently working on:
1. Creating engaging and individualized professional development for teachers 2. Finding ways to use technology to differentiate instruction for students 3. Embracing courage over comfort... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Silver 12

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Creation/Design Tools, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Secondary (9th-12th)
Subject Elementary, Middle, Secondary, Higher Education
Area All

11:15am CDT

AI and the Art of Teaching Writing to Humans

Thursday April 30, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 12

How should we teach writing when AI can now write for students? This session invites participants to explore that question through research, reflection, and hands-on practice. Educators will leave with one concrete policy, practice, or tool to immediately refine their approach to writing instruction in an AI-infused world. The session begins with a reflective writing warm-up, followed by discussion and a three-part framework for developing effective AI policies.

Speakers

Adam Sparks

Evi Wusk

Assistant Professor of Education, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Thursday April 30, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 12

Concurrent Session

Company Higher Education, Teaching & Learning
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Higher Education, Language Arts
Subject Middle, Secondary, Higher Education
Area All

1:45pm CDT

AI as Tutor, Tool, and Tension: Undergraduate Engineers Navigating Generative AI

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Lobby

This study explores how Engineering undergraduates use AI as tutor, thinking partner, and a productivity tool, employing multi-step verification and self-imposed boundaries around task stakes. While AI boosts confidence and engagement, students navigate inaccuracies, overreliance, ethical ambiguity, and inconsistent policies; raising unresolved tensions around transparency, academic integrity, and critical thinking development.

Azadeh Hassani, Guy Trainin, Jordan Wheeler, & Tareq Daher

Speakers

Azadeh Hassani

Guy Trainin

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Lobby

UNL

Company Higher Education
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Higher Education, Computer Science
Subject Higher Education, Secondary
Area All

1:45pm CDT

Preparing Teachers to Teach CS: Insights from Nebraska's Two- and Four-Year Colleges

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Lobby

The poster will present findings from a series of interviews with instructors and administrators at two-year and four-year public colleges in Nebraska. It will highlight insights into course design, program structures, obstacles and other factors related to preparing pre-service teachers to teach computer science.

Sheila Foley, Guy Trainin, Gwen Nugent, LeenKiat Soh, Brian Dorn

Speakers

Guy Trainin

Sheila Foley

UNL

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Lobby

UNL

Company Higher Education
Audience All, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Science, Information Technology (IT)
Subject Secondary, Higher Education
Area All

2:45pm CDT

Beyond Chatbots: Teaching the Real Lessons Behind Fake Content

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm CDT

Silver 10

Generative AI is changing what we see, hear, and believe—and it’s time our classrooms caught up. In this interactive session, educators will explore how generative AI tools that create images, videos, and voice content can be used to teach critical thinking, media literacy, and ethics. Participants will safely experiment with AI generation and detection while uncovering the real lessons behind fake content.

Speakers

Kimberly Ingraham-Beck

Computer Science Teacher/Esports Coach, Gretna Public Schools

Kimberly Ingraham-Beck is a high school Computer Science teacher at Gretna Public Schools with a background in music education, technology, and curriculum development. She holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and three master’s degrees... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm CDT
Silver 10

Concurrent Session

Company Computer Science, Library Media
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Science, Cross Curriculum, Digital Citizenship
Subject Middle, Secondary, Higher Education
Area All

3:45pm CDT

Practical Strategies for Inviting Classrooms

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT

Bronze 1

This session explores practical methods for creating an inviting classroom where all students feel welcomed and engaged. Participants will learn strategies to design activities, discussions, and projects that build connection, encourage participation, and promote student success. Leave with adaptable ideas to enhance engagement and foster a positive, supportive learning environment.

Speakers

Pamela Silvers

PI, Mentor-Connect/Florence Darlington

Engaging ALL students in STEM Careers

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Bronze 1

Concurrent Session

Company Higher Education, Teaching & Learning
Audience Career and Technical Education, Classroom Management, Secondary (9th-12th), STEM / STEAM
Subject Secondary, Higher Education, All Levels
Area Novice

10:15am CDT

10:15am CDT

11:15am CDT

1:45pm CDT

1:45pm CDT

2:45pm CDT

3:45pm CDT

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