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.

11:15am CDT

Digital Storytelling in the Primary Grades

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

Silver 8

Use a digital approach to promote effective pedagogy and build essential communication skills. Inspire your emerging writers with a multimedia approach that builds essential writing skills by taking advantage of multimodal forms of communication. authentic opportunity to build reading, writing, speaking, and listening literacy skills.

https://www.thecreativeeducator.com/2018/articles/digital-storytelling-in-the-primary-classroom

Speakers

Melinda Kolk

Editor, Creative Educator magazine

Melinda is the Editor of Creative Educator magazine. For the past 25 years, Melinda has led workshops at schools around the world and presentations at education conferences, such as CUE, ASCD and ISTE, on the topics of creativity, project-based learning, and open-ended technologies... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Silver 8

Concurrent Session

Company Elementary, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Creation/Design Tools, Language Arts, Library Media, Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd)
Subject Early Childhood/Pre-Kindergarten, Elementary
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

Level Up Learning: How I Tricked My Students into Loving Assessment

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

Central Hallway

Assessment doesn’t have to mean silence and tears. See how Blooket turned reluctant 3rd-grade learners into fluency masters. Go beyond “hosting a game” and explore stealth assessment tools that track growth in real time. Walk away with three ready-to-use strategies: Homework mode for centers, creating custom sets with Spreadsheet Import, and using reports to form small groups.

Speakers

Brittany Carroll

3rd Grade Teacher, Seward Public Schools

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

Show and Share Poster Session

Company Elementary
Audience Assessment, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd)
Subject Elementary
Area Novice

2:45pm CDT

Device Optional Integration

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

Silver 4

Explore the potential of technology integration to energize K-5 learning with device-optional strategies and examples that require critical thinking, inspire creativity, promote collaboration, and reveal student thinking.

Speakers

Tina Williams

Technology Coordinator, McCook Public Schools

McCook Public Schools

NETA 2026 Device Optional Integration pdf

Thursday April 30, 2026 2:45pm - 3:30pm CDT
Silver 4

Concurrent Session

Company Computer Science, Elementary
Audience Computer Science, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd)
Subject Elementary
Area Novice

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

3:45pm CDT

Standards + Creative Tasks = Future-Ready

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

Silver 11

Project work doesn't have to require excessive time investments and extensive training. A simple shift in framing a task helps students go beyond a rote response to standards and learning goals to deep thinking and digital age communication.

Come explore and play with creative tasks like story adaptations, associative letter projects, wanted posters, fictitious interviews and more.
https://www.thecreativeeducator.com/2025/articles/creative-thinking-tasks

Speakers

Melinda Kolk

Editor, Creative Educator magazine

Thursday April 30, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Silver 11

Concurrent Session

Company Elementary, Tech Integration Specialist
Audience Creation/Design Tools, Intermediate Elementary (3rd-5th), Multimedia, Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd)
Subject All Levels
Area Intermediate

1:00pm CDT

Maximize the Impact of Reading and Math Practice

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

Silver 8

What makes reading practice truly purposeful? And how can you support your educators inbuilding opportunities for purposeful practice into daily instruction? We'll explore the tools educators need to create engaging learningexperiences where students develop not just the mechanics of reading but also anappreciation for the written word.

Speakers

Chastity Thompson

Account Manager, Renaissance

Renaissance
As a global leader in assessment, reading, and math solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. Renaissance solutions reac... Read More →

Exhibitors

Renaissance Learning

Renaissance

Renaissance is a global leader in assessment, reading, math, and early literacy solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts. We are committed to providing educators with resources to help students build a strong foundation for success. Our portfolio includes solutions for assessment... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Silver 8

Exhibitor Session

Company Renaissance
Audience Primary Elementary (Pre K-2nd), reading
Subject Elementary
Area All

11:15am CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:45pm CDT

3:45pm CDT

3:45pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

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