VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

Classroom Snacks

The Leading Ed Forum 2025

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Leading Ed Forum Event Banner

Event Overview

The VSTE Leading Ed Forum is a long-standing event tailored for district and school-level leaders who are at the forefront of technology integration and educational transformation. This Forum is a high-level, strategic gathering where superintendents, principals, instructional technology directors, and other education leaders collaborate on critical issues, discuss strategic technology implementation, and explore solutions to enhance student learning and organizational effectiveness.

Date & Location  

Date: March 13, 2025

Location: Reynolds Community College, 1651 E Parham Rd, Richmond, VA 23228, USA

Target Audience

This Forum is designed for district and school leaders who drive technology and innovation initiatives in K-12 education. Attendees typically include:

- Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents – Seeking guidance on technology-driven transformation aligned with district goals.

- District-Level Instructional Technology Directors – Focused on system-wide technology integration, compliance, and digital equity.

- Principals and School-Level Administrators – Interested in scalable solutions to improve teaching, learning, and operational efficiency at the school level.

- Chief Academic Officers and Curriculum Directors – Looking for tools and strategies that support digital learning and curriculum alignment with technology.

Forum Goals

  1. Strategic Visioning – Empower leaders with insights to develop and implement visionary digital strategies for sustainable impact.
  2. Policy & Compliance Alignment – Provide guidance on data privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance to help leaders meet evolving legal and ethical standards.
  3. Investment & ROI Analysis – Explore frameworks for evaluating technology investments based on educational outcomes and operational efficiencies.
  4. Equity & Access – Address strategies for equitable access to technology and reducing disparities in digital learning opportunities.
  5. Community & Stakeholder Engagement – Offer best practices for engaging teachers, students, parents, and the community in technology initiatives.

 

Event Features

- Keynote Presentation: Hear from national leaders in education policy, technology, and innovation on strategic priorities for K-12 leadership.

- Leadership Roundtables: Small-group discussions focused on specific challenges, where attendees share insights, approaches, and best practices.

- Strategic Sessions: Topics include district-wide data governance, digital transformation, emerging funding opportunities, and maximizing technology ROI.

- Case Study Spotlights: Deep dives into successful district and school initiatives demonstrating effective, scalable technology implementation.

- Vendor Solutions Forum: A curated showcase of top-tier vendors offering tools and platforms designed to support the needs of school and district leadership.

- Networking Lunch: Events designed for high-level peer exchange, facilitating partnerships and collaborative opportunities.

 

Featured Topics for Leadership

- Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Strategies for safeguarding student and staff information, complying with federal and state policies, and training staff.

- Digital Equity Initiatives: Approaches to ensure equitable access to technology across diverse student populations, addressing urban and rural needs.

- Financial Planning & Funding Resources: Insight on maximizing available funding (federal, state, and private) and managing the financial aspects of district-wide technology investments.

- Teacher Retention & Professional Development: Examining how technology can enhance teacher satisfaction, retention, and professional growth.

- Future-Proofing Infrastructure: Building a resilient infrastructure that supports future technological advancements and growing district needs.

Exhibitor Opportunities

The Leading ED Forum offers tailored sponsorship packages to maximize brand visibility among high-level decision-makers. Exhibitors will host a table, participate in networking, and gain exposure throughout the Forum. Current VSTE Diamond and Gold Sponsors are provided a table at the event. Others may contact  LEF_INFO@vste.org to learn more about exhibitor opportunities.

Exhibitor Ticket includes one event registration and a table in the exhibitor area. Exhibitors will also be provided with an attendee list. Exhibitors will be provided two tickets to the event including morning drinks, snacks, and lunch. The cost for the table and attendees is $500 ($510.49 with fees). 

Why Attend?

By attending this Forum, education leaders will:

- Develop a clear, actionable vision for advancing technology within their districts and schools.

- Network with like-minded leaders and share strategies for tackling today’s most pressing challenges in K-12 technology.

- Discover solutions that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and increase student engagement.

- Gain exclusive insights into policy trends, funding sources, and emerging technologies critical to long-term success.

Registration

Reserve your place to gain critical knowledge and insights that will shape the future of K-12 education. 

For more information or to inquire about sponsorship, please visit our website at https://2025leadingedforum.sched.com/ or contact us at LEF_INFO@vste.org

 

Digital Learning Day, February 23, 2017

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VSTE will be partnering with the Virginia Department of Education to provide a full day of virtual events for Digital Learning Day 2017, February 23, 2017.

#stuvoice

Throughout the day, VSTE will be featuring students from the Richmond area  talking about how they learn, how they use technology to learn and showing some of the innovative projects they are working on in their classrooms. VSTE is partnering with GRAETC to provide these classroom visits.

The VDOE will host two live webinars to provide updates on current and proposed technology-related initiatives. Join Mark Saunders, Director, Office of Technology & Virtual Learning and Bobby Keener, Chief Technology Innovations Officer for these updates. Specific times will be announced soon.

VSTE will host an evening webinar beginning at 7:30 PM that will highlight the VSTE 2016 award winners talking about educational technology past, present and future.

Schedule

9:00 AM: Scrum in the Classroom

6th grade students in Mr. Frago's class in Goochland County will talk about their experiences using Scrum, a framework designed to help people work in teams. Jim Frago, Joe Beasley, and Bea Leiderman have adapted the Scrum framework from its original form in the business world to help students learn to work in teams, taking ownership of their own learning. While the school provides an iPad for every child, learning activities are more meaningful when they are collaborative. Scrum teaches students to work together effectively and seamlessly, removing many perceived barriers to project based approaches. Students will share how they have learned to use digital tools for collaboration and media creation.

Archived Recording

9:30 AM Coding with Ozobots

4th grade Hanover County students in Mrs. Yarbrough's class will discuss how they used Ozobots to code with markers on "playgrounds" in order to make the Ozobot travel over mazes and complete various challenges.  The goal of this activity was for students to work in collaborative teams to create a course the Ozobot could complete in a specified time range.  Join the students as they discuss what they learned and how they used perseverance in this innovative lesson.

Archived Recording

10:15 AM Makerspaces

Hear AP Computer Science students from Powhatan High School discuss their leadership roles in division-wide outreach programs that focus on STEM activities (STEM Fair, CS Roadshow, STEM Sisters & Brothers).  The students will showcase the different technologies they have used through computer science courses, STEM outreach activities, and the newly created high school makerspace.  Technology tools include App Inventor, Code.org, 3D printers, digital cutters, and green screen technology.  These students have a strong support system with computer science teachers, Blythe Samuels and Sharon Shadrach, along with the division's Science & STEM specialist, Libbey Kitten.

Archived Recording

10:45 AM It's a Blue Bot World
4th grade Hanover County students in Mrs. Gemmill's class read the novel The Gollywopper Games, and then worked to complete a cooperative challenge. The story is all about teamwork and problem solving.  As an extension activity, students were asked to work in teams to create a world for a Blue Bot which included an innovative theme.  Students used measurement to create their own grid on the mat and wrote a story that included four destinations and an obstacle in their bot world.  They then programmed their bot to travel to the four destinations avoiding the obstacle.  The bots visited museums, a picnic, the inside of a computer, and even the Virginia Watershed.   But could someone new read the story and accurately program the bot?  Join the students as they talk about their project and how they introduced the Bluebots to younger students.

Archived Recording

1:00 PM Using Spheros for Content Learning

Wilder Middle School students in Henrico County are using the Sphero robots to drive to different calendar dates to practice complex movements and time frames and mark points on a coordinate plane.

Watch Live (YouTube Live)

2:00 PM Bobby Keener, Chief Technology Innovations Officer, VDOE

Bobby will discuss VDOE initiatives including Open Education Resources (OER) and broadband.

Archived Recording

Digital Learning Day Slides

2:45 PM Mark Saunders, Director, Office of Technology and Virtual Learning

Mark will provide updates of digital learning projects in the areas of:

  • Computer Science – Standards development work and teacher training
  • Instructional Technology – Update to state technology plan, TSIPs, and digital content
  • Virtual Learning – New MOP applications and courses received

Archived Recording

7:30 PM VSTE Award Winners: Ed Tech Initiatives

Join our 2016 award winners to learn more about the work they are doing in their school divisions and communities:

  • Matt Caratachea, Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, Henrico County Public Schools, Innovative Educator of the Year
  • Dr. Amy Cashwell, Chief Academic Officer, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Outstanding Leader of the Year
  • Ann Nash, Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, Henrico County Public Schools, Outstanding Teacher of the Year

Archived Recording

Links from Matt:

Classroom Snacks #4 Archive: Wise County Public Schools

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Classroom SnacksAs part of Connected Educator Month, VSTE is making virtual classroom visits to talk with students across the Commonwealth.

On Thursday, October 27, 2016, we visited with students from Wise County Public Schools. A big thank you to Daniel Vanover, Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, for organizing the day, thanks to teachers Sharon Rogers, Kim Teglas, Kim Parsons, and TJ McAmis, and BIG thanks to the students for sharing their ideas and experiences with us.

Central High School - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw3M5x8-6Ik
Coeburn Middle School - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy3DoSZc-KQ

 

Classroom Snacks: Wise County, October 27, 2016

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Classroom SnacksAs educators, we spend lots of time talking about students but not much time talking to them. VSTE is working to change that by providing virtual visits to classrooms across the Commonwealth. Our "classroom snacks" will take place on Thursdays throughout October.

We'll continue the series  with three groups of students from Wise County on Thursday, October 27, 2016.

Join us in our Adobe Connect room to listen live or access the archive later.

Archives:

  • Bull Run Middle School (Prince William County) here
  • Frederick County Schools here
  • Roanoke County Schools here

Classroom Snacks #3 Archive: Roanoke County Public Schools

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Classroom SnacksAs part of Connected Educator Month, VSTE is making virtual classroom visits to talk with students across the Commonwealth.

On Thursday, October 20, 2016, we visited with students from Roanoke County Public Schools. A big thank you to Meg Swecker, Coordinator of Technology Integration, for organizing the day, thanks to ITRT Tina Coffey, teachers Sherri Rickman and Cynthia Bowen, and BIG thanks to the students for sharing their ideas and experiences with us.

9:00 AM: ITRT Tina Coffey and students at Oak Grove Elementary School talking about makerspaces: Archive

10:00 AM: Teacher Sherri Rickman and students from the Burton Center for Arts and Technology: Archive

12:00 PM: Teacher Cynthia Bowen and students from Cave Spring Middle School talking about the Global Read Aloud: Archive

1:00 PM: ITRT Tina Coffey and students from Fort Lewis Elementary School talking about their new makerspace: Archive