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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7:15am CDT

AI, AI Captain! Be a Captain of Innovation Using AI at Your Building!

Friday May 1, 2026 7:15am - 8:00am CDT

Silver 7

Argh! Students are using AI irresponsibly! Argh! Teachers aren't buying in to AI! Argh! There isn't an academic integrity policy at your school that includes AI! These are the most "popular" complaints that I hear on the daily. Learn solutions to these problems and more! Learn how to be an AI leader at your school and in your district!

Speakers

Dana Fontaine

Librarian Media Specialist, Fremont Public Schools/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 →

Friday May 1, 2026 7:15am - 8:00am CDT
Silver 7

Concurrent Session

Company Computer Science, Library Media
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Citizenship, Leadership, Library Media
Subject All Levels
Area All

10:15am CDT

Interactive by Design: Blending Tech, Apps and AI

Friday May 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Silver 10

Discover how intentional technology integration—enhanced by AI—is transforming teaching and learning across high school classrooms and the library. Explore innovative library programs, cross-platform tools, and interactive classroom apps that boost engagement, accessibility, and collaboration. Learn how our district’s Technology Badging System motivates educators to explore, share, and celebrate digital innovation while expanding their use of AI-enhanced tools to support continuous growth.

Speakers

Elizabeth Harms

Jeremy Mahoney

Technology Integration Specialist, Springfield Platteview Community Schools

Shari Spiehs

Friday May 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Silver 10

Concurrent Session

Company Library Media, Teaching & Learning
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Library Media, Math, Science
Subject Secondary
Area All

10:15am CDT

Virtual Friends, Real Risks: Guiding Youth in the Age of AI

Friday May 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

Silver 5

Nearly three out of four teens have used AI companions. This session examines its impact on the well-being and social development of youth. Attendees will learn why teens turn to chatbots, the risks of emotional dependency, and how to guide students and families toward healthy digital boundaries and human relationships.

Speakers

Adam Vinter

Education Outreach Manager, Common Sense Media

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 →

Friday May 1, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
Silver 5

Concurrent Session

Company Library Media
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Citizenship, Middle Grades (6th-8th), Social Emotional Learning
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area Novice

11:15am CDT

Before The Prompt: Foundational Skills for AI-Ready Students

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 5

AI literacy— the ability to understand, question, and thoughtfully engage with AI systems—begins well before students use chatbots. In this session, educators will explore foundational lessons from Common Sense that help students question what's real, evaluate altered media, credit original work, identify credible sources, and understand digital consent. We must build students' critical thinking and ethical awareness to prepare them for an AI-driven world.

Speakers

Adam Vinter

Education Outreach Manager, Common Sense Media

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 5

Concurrent Session

Company Library Media, Teaching & Learning
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Citizenship, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Library Media
Subject Elementary, Middle
Area Novice

11:15am CDT

Real Learning with Artificial Intelligence

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Silver 8

Artificial intelligence is often seen as a shortcut, a way to offload the difficult work of thinking and learning. Instead of viewing AI as a "cheat" tool, we'll explore how to use it as a partner to enhance and expand our own intelligence. This session is for anyone who wants to move beyond simply using AI for quick answers and instead wants to harness its potential to become a more curious, creative, and intelligent human.

Speakers

Crystal Ernst

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 8

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Subject All Levels
Area Intermediate

11:15am CDT

Tap, Type, Transform: Tech-Powered Adventures

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT

Bronze 2

What if students could move from surface-level thoughts to real insight? In this fast-paced, hands-on session, explore how simple tech tools ignite critical thinking, boost engagement, and guide students toward authentic self-realization. Discover easy-to-use strategies that turn “I’m done” into “Wait, I just realized something!” and help every learner tap, type, and transform their thinking.

Speakers

Brenda Larabee

ELA 10-12 Teacher, Stuart High School/ Nebraska Writing Project

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Bronze 2

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Creation/Design Tools, Cross Curriculum
Subject Elementary, Middle, Secondary, Higher Education
Area All

1:00pm CDT

Less Grading, More Growing: How AI Shifted Focus to Student Ownership

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Silver 5

What if your students took charge of their learning and you got your evenings back? I started using NotebookLM to create Mastery Notebooks that guide students through what mastery looks like for each unit. The results? I stopped assigning busywork and grading everything. Students became more independent, some reluctantly. This shift is about reclaiming time and increasing student ownership. This session explores how to build structure, promote mastery, and stop chasing kids for late work.

Speakers

Brock Rezny

Middle School Math and Science, Malcolm Public Schools

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Silver 5

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Assessment, Math, Science
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area All

1:00pm CDT

Let’s Talk About AI: A Roundtable on Teaching, Ethics, and Experience

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Silver 4

Join an interactive roundtable where educators discuss how AI is transforming their classrooms. From lesson design to student accountability, participants will share successes, challenges, and questions about using AI in real learning environments. The goal is open conversation and collective problem-solving.

Speakers

Kelly Gatewood

Instructional Design and Technology Professor, Keiser University

Hi,
My name is Kelly Gatewood. I have been active with NETA for 30+ years. My interests include instructional design for motivating student through technology use and events of instruction.

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Conversation, Digital Citizenship, Staff Development
Subject All Levels
Area All

7:15am CDT

10:15am CDT

10:15am CDT

11:15am CDT

11:15am CDT

11:15am CDT

1:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

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