OPENING KEYNOTE
Monday | Feb 26th
THE YEAR AI CHANGES YOU
Sean Watson
Trend Hunter | SVP of Special Projects
Sean Watson is set to take the stage at the Modern Learning Conference in Hershey, PA. With his diverse range of talents and extensive experience, Sean is poised to provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to educators, district leaders, and teachers in attendance.
At Trend Hunter, Sean's expertise shines through as he guides Fortune 500 brands to refine their innovation strategies through the Patterned Thinking workshop. His Futuristic Tech presentation offers invaluable insights on how tech startups can gain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. Sean's mission as a public speaker is not just to inform the mind but also to ignite the fires of imagination.
With a professional background that includes roles at esteemed companies like Rogers, Bertelsmann, and American Express, Sean Watson brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the stage. As Trend Hunter's resident tech specialist, Sean has led private keynotes and innovation sessions for renowned brands such as Coca-Cola, Kraft-Heinz, and Google. His remarkable ability to empower highly knowledgeable teams with a novel outlook on relevant trend content encourages them to reset and reimagine their approaches to innovation.
Don't miss the opportunity to learn from Sean Watson at the Modern Learning Conference. His insights and expertise will undoubtedly reshape the way you think about AI, offering valuable takeaways for educators, leaders, and teachers seeking to stay at the forefront of modern learning methodologies.
CONVERGENCE HOUR
Tuesday | Feb 27th
AI IN EDUCATION
Greg Kulowiec
Technology Director, Triton Regional School District
Lead Learner & Principal, The Kulowiec Group
We are thrilled to announce that Greg Kulowiec will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Modern Learning Conference. His extensive experience and expertise in the field of education and educational technology promise to bring a wealth of knowledge to teachers, leaders, and educators attending the event.
Greg embarked on his educational journey as a history teacher in the Plymouth Public Schools, where he first began exploring the potential of educational technology. Over the course of a decade, he served as an educational technology consultant, collaborating with schools and districts nationwide to guide their transition to 1:1 initiatives and to transform classroom experiences through technology integration. Currently, Greg holds the position of Director of Technology in the Triton Regional School District and also provides invaluable education consulting services through The Kulowiec Group (www.thekulowiecgroup.com).
During his “AI In Education” session at the conference, Greg will offer a profound understanding of the implications and impact of AI in education. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights, hear real-life examples, and uncover the boundless potential of AI in shaping the future of learning. This unique opportunity to engage with Greg Kulowiec promises to be a deep dive into the fascinating world of AI in Education, providing educators and leaders with the tools and knowledge to lead discussions and initiatives within their districts. Don't miss this chance to connect with a true expert in the field.
Greg will be delivering an additional two sessions at the conference.
AWARDS GALA
Tuesday | Feb 27th
WHEN YOU WONDER, YOU’RE LEARNING
Gregg Behr & Ryan Rydzewski
Gregg Behr, Executive Director, The Grable Foundation
Ryan Rydzewski, Communications Officer, The Grable Foundation
Gregg Behr is the executive director of The Grable Foundation. He is also a father and children’s advocate whose work is inspired by the legacy of his hero, Fred Rogers.
Ryan Rydzewski is an award-winning author, reporter, and speechwriter whose science and education stories span everything from schools to space travel to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Distinguished children's advocate, Gregg Behr, and accomplished award-winning reporter, Ryan Rydzewski, are slated to be featured speakers at the prestigious Modern Learning Conference. Their presentation promises to bring a wealth of expertise and insights to the teachers, leaders, and educators fortunate enough to attend.
Gregg and Ryan are the brilliant authors behind "When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids." Their work delves into the profound impact of Mister Rogers' iconic television program, unveiling the science behind the "tools for learning" that Fred Rogers emphasized. These tools, which include curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and more, are now considered essential by modern scientists. What's remarkable is that these skills and mindsets can be nurtured at minimal cost and are rooted in life's most meaningful aspects: self-acceptance, nurturing relationships, and a genuine appreciation for one's neighbor.
In addition to their groundbreaking book, Gregg and Ryan are actively shaping the conversation by crafting insightful op-eds that further explore and expand upon the book's transformative ideas. These thought-provoking pieces have garnered national recognition, featuring in esteemed publications such as TIME, The Hill, and others.
The teachings and experiences shared by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski promise to leave a lasting impact on conference attendees, offering invaluable insights on nurturing creative, curious, and caring children through the enduring legacy of Mister Rogers. Don't miss the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the essential tools for learning and fostering these qualities in today's youth.
FEATURED SPEAKER
Tuesday | Feb 27th
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING PRACTICES
Martha Gould-Lehe
University of Alaska Fairbanks,
Cultural-Educational Specialist
Martha Gould- Lehe brings her expertise to the MLC where she will be presenting sessions on Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices.
Culturally responsive teaching practices can assist educators in bridging differences in language, heritage, race, socio-economic status, trauma history, and ability. As a result, educators are realizing the need to intentionally focus on identifying effective methods for developing culturally responsive practices. Cultural proficiency is a mindset. We all have culture and understanding how to utilize this knowledge and apply strategies to build relationships in relevant, meaningful ways you can change the trajectory for growth and happiness in your students.
Martha is an Alaska Athabaskin woman. She was born and raised in interior Alaska in and around McGrath. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Martha currently works for the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a Cultural-Educational Specialist in the ASMP program. She delivers professional development sessions highlighting Alaska’s Cultural Standards and the framework for Cultural Proficiency. She presents culturally responsive teaching strategies and shows how they are embedded into teacher planning and delivery of content. She has 25 years of classroom experience teaching grades 4-6 in Anchorage.
Martha has always been involved in furthering educational goals and services for Alaska’s children. She served on Governor Hammond's Effective Schools Task Force and was selected as a BP Teacher of Excellence in Anchorage in 2007. She received her Bachelor of Education from UAA, earning the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Study, and her Master of Science in Education from Kansas University. She is a contributing author to:
Earth’s Caretakers: Native American Lessons.
Stop Talking: Indigenous Ways of Teaching and Learning and Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education.
Railway of Hope
Culture in the Classroom (indicators and evidences for evaluating culturally responsive teaching).
We encourage you to add our conference email address mlc@modernteacher.com to your contacts. This will help ensure that you receive timely updates and important announcements.