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.

10:15am CDT

At the Heart of It All: Library Fun for the Whole School

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

Silver 10

Make your library the heart of the school with creative programming that draws in students and staff alike. Discover the impact of themed events, whole-school celebrations, and fun passive programs (like Fat Bear Week, book brackets, or kindness challenges) that spark excitement without adding stress. Learn to design engaging, low-prep activities and big community events that build school spirit, highlight learning, and make the library an irresistible hub of curiosity and joy.

Speakers

Leia Rumsey

Media Specialist, Norris 160 Intermediate School

Jessie Andre

At the Heart of it all (1) pdf

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

Concurrent Session

Company Library Media
Audience Creation/Design Tools, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Library Media, Middle Grades (6th-8th)
Subject Elementary, Middle
Area Novice

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

11:15am CDT

Lights, Camera, Action: Creating a School News Show with Canva

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

Silver 10

Learn to guide students in creating a bi-weekly news show with Canva. This session covers planning, roles, and hands-on production, turning the yearbook into a dynamic media project. You'll get practical tips on using Canva's video tools to teach students real-world skills in journalism and digital media.

Speakers

Lise Wagner

Librarian, Elkhorn Middle School Library

Hi, I’m Lise Wagner! I’m currently the Librarian at Elkhorn Middle School. While I’m in my 4th year as a librarian, I’ve spent 20 years in the world of education. I love finding new ways to spark a love of reading and discovery in middle schoolers and collaborating with fellow educators to make the library the heart of the school... Read More →

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

Concurrent Session

Company Library Media, Teaching & Learning
Audience Canva, Creation/Design Tools, Library Media, Middle Grades (6th-8th)
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area Intermediate

11:15am CDT

uBEATS 3.0: Reimagining STEM for the TikTok Generation

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

Silver 11

Discover uBEATS—"UNO & UNMC Building Excellence in Academics Through STEM"—a free, online resource created by education and STEM experts at the University of Nebraska Omaha and UNMC. With multimedia-rich, bite-sized modules for grades 6–12, uBEATS supplements science curricula and supports tech-savvy, student-centered learning.

Check out our website!
unmc.edu/ubeats

Speakers

Tim Krayer

E-Learning Multimedia Technologist, UNMC Office of E-Learning

I’m an E‑Learning Multimedia Technologist and former classroom teacher who designs interactive, student‑friendly digital learning experiences at UNMC. My work focuses on developing uBEATS (unmc.edu/ubeats) science modules for students in grades 6–12, using animation, multimedia... Read More →

Sarah Shaffer

uBEATS NETA 26 pptx

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

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Middle Grades (6th-8th), Multimedia, Secondary (9th-12th), STEM / STEAM
Subject Secondary
Area Novice

1:00pm CDT

No Pressure: Practical Google AI for Beginners

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Silver 1

This is an "all questions welcome" session for educators who are skeptical, cautious, or simply new to AI. In a supportive, low pressure environment, you will explore Google’s AI tools, especially Gemini and NotebookLM, with a focus on what they are good for, what they are not, and how to use them in ways that make teaching work easier without changing who you are as an educator.

Speakers

Lynne Herr

Thursday April 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Silver 1

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning
Audience All, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Leadership, Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd), Middle Grades (6th-8th), Secondary (9th-12th), Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th)
Subject All Levels
Area Novice

2:00pm CDT

Don't Just Code It, Hold It: Physical Computing w/ Circuit Playground

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Central Hallway

Coding concepts like "events" and "variables" can feel abstract on a screen. Make them tangible! Stop by this interactive Maker Playground to see how the Circuit Playground Express (used in Code.org CS Discoveries Unit 6a) bridges the gap between block code and the real world. You won’t just watch—you’ll press buttons, trigger lights, and see how easy it is to manage physical computing in a middle school classroom.

Speakers

Tiffany Lothrop

Middle School Computer Science Teacher, Crete Middle School, Crete Public Schools

I have taught mathematics for 16 years. Since 2012, I have taught technology and computer science.

Physical Computing with Circuit Playground Express & Code.org Resources NETA 2026 Google Docs pdf

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Central Hallway

Show and Share Poster Session

Company Computer Science
Audience Computer Science, Middle Grades (6th-8th), STEM / STEAM
Subject Middle
Area All

2:00pm CDT

Fixer to Facilitator: Gemini for Meaningful Writing Revision

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Central Hallway

Tired of feedback students barely read? This session introduces a high-impact, low-prep strategy for transforming revision with Gemini Gems. Using four ready-to-use prompts—reverse outline, self-critique, evidence integration, and grammar & style—students pair their draft with the rubric and targeted skills. See how Gemini acts as a personalized writing coach grounded in your expectations and their own writing.

Speakers

Kaylen Rodrigues

8th ELA Teacher, York Public Schools

NETA pdf

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Central Hallway

Show and Share Poster Session

Company Teaching & Learning
Audience Language Arts, Middle Grades (6th-8th), Secondary (9th-12th)
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area All

2:00pm CDT

Tech-Powered Tools for the English Classroom

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Central Hallway

Participants will leave with a ready-to-use toolkit of digital resources that can be immediately used in ELA instruction, along with practical strategies for improving student engagement, writing, and classroom efficiency. Accessible tools, such as First Five, Short Answer, We Will Write, Snorkl, SchoolAI, and NoRedInk will be highlighted.

Tech-Powered Tools for the English Classroom

Speakers

Bethany Neuhart

English Teacher, Shickley Public School

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Central Hallway

Show and Share Poster Session

Company Teaching & Learning
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Language Arts, Middle Grades (6th-8th), Secondary (9th-12th)
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area Intermediate

2:00pm CDT

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Using ChatGPT to Streamline Your Teaching

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Central Hallway

Discover how ChatGPT can simplify your workload and elevate your instruction. We’ll explore real examples of how teachers can use AI to save time, boost creativity, support students, and streamline everyday classroom tasks. You will walk away with plug-and-play ideas that you can implement immediately—no tech background required, just curiosity!

Speakers

Nicole Zvolanek

6th grade English Teacher, Norris Middle School

Work Smarter, Not Harder Using ChatGPT to Streamline Your Teaching pdf

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Central Hallway

Show and Share Poster Session

Company Higher Education, Special Education
Audience Artificial Intelligence (AI), Assessment, Language Arts, Middle Grades (6th-8th)
Subject Middle
Area Intermediate

3:45pm CDT

Book Clubs: GAME ON!

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

Silver 10

This session will explore innovative strategies for creating engaging and effective book clubs. We will uncover how to transform traditional book discussions into engaging interactive experiences through both physical and digital games. We will delve into the power of game mechanics to increase student engagement. Participants will learn how to incorporate these elements into their book clubs through themed challenges, online games, and mini-games that can be incorporated into any book club.

Speakers

Rachel Jussel

School librarian/Media Specialist, Elkhorn Grandview Middle School

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Silver 10

Concurrent Session

Company Library Media, Teaching & Learning
Audience Language Arts, Library Media, Middle Grades (6th-8th), Secondary (9th-12th)
Subject Middle, Secondary
Area All

3:45pm CDT

It’s not the Screen, it’s the Learning: An Introduction to PIC-RAT

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

Silver 8

Not all screen time is equal. This session explores the difference between passive screen time and purposeful screen use, highlighting practical ways to move lessons from consumption to creation. Using the PIC-RAT framework as a reflection tool, we’ll share simple strategies that amplify student voice, choice, and collaboration while helping educators reframe technology use with intention.

Speakers

Brittany Baker

Jessica Murray

Technology Trainer, Omaha Public Schools

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Silver 8

Concurrent Session

Company Elementary, Teaching & Learning
Audience Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Middle Grades (6th-8th), Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd), Secondary (9th-12th)
Subject All Levels
Area Novice

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

Beyond the Basics: Maximizing Google for Education

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

Silver 4

Google for Education keeps growing — and so do the ways it can support your classroom. This session will highlight Google Classroom updates, share practical tips and tricks across Google tools, and showcase simple strategies that save time and enhance learning

Speakers

Heather Callihan

Technology Integration Specialist, Northwest Public Schools

Heather Callihan is the Technology Integration Specialist for Northwest Public Schools in Grand Island, Ne. Heather is currently the NETA Board president (@YourNETA), Common Sense Certified Educator and Ambassador. Heather has a passion for integrating technology in education. She... Read More →

NETA 2026 Beyond the Basics Maximizing Google for Education jpg

Friday May 1, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company Teaching & Learning, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Google Suite, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Middle Grades (6th-8th), Secondary (9th-12th)
Subject All Levels
Area All

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