2024 Featured Speakers

I am an ISTE Certified Educator and Google Certified Trainer who serves as the district Instructional Technology Specialist for Lexington/Richland 5. In this role I organize district professional development and support instructional coaches and librarians. My goal is to support and lead educators to develop strong instructional practices that meet the needs of all learners and effectively integrate technology. Follow me on X/Twitter @AplinEDU. 

People ask Krynica Drake what is my dream job. She will quickly tell them that she is living it!  Her current role affords her the opportunity to share technology resources & tools with students, teachers, leaders and school stakeholders. Her daily goal is to assist others with effectively integrating technology into their daily lives. She shares technology resources, skills & tips with other educators at multiple conferences each year.  Krynica Drake is an Digital Learning Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a second-generation educator and is currently in her 26th year in education. Krynica is a certified Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Microsoft Fellow & Trainer, Certified Google Trainer, Promethean Master Educator, Certified BrainPop Educator, a Magic School AI Ambassador, Certified Wakelet Ambassador and a member of the certified Adobe Educator program. Her passion is engaging others to continuously enhance their instruction through the use of technology. 

Anjosia Ellerbe is an educator and Instructional Technology Specialist who utilizes her passion for technology to engage students and teachers.  Anjosia’s philosophy of teaching is meeting each person where they are and giving them the opportunity to use the tools they need to become successful.  As a SCASCD Emerging Leader Class of 2020, a Jessie Williams Little Awards finalist for 2022, Teacher of the Year 2017-2018 and district 1st runner-up, Anjosia takes the opportunity to share her love for the profession of education with Future Teachers and current educators with simplistic and practical applications for complicated tasks and topics. 

Sela is a fifth grade teacher in Greenville County Schools with a graduate degree in educational technology. She fell in love with design throughout her various educational experiences, and her goal is to help bridge the seemingly wide gap between educational resources and high-quality graphic design. She supports educators to create resources that inspire learners in a digital world. Connect with Sela through her design business at www.designsandsuch.com. 

Stephanie D. Jacobs is a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience in education and resides in beautiful Rock Hill, SC. Her current role is Coordinator of Technology Integration & eLearning. Stephanie's background includes teaching in grades PreK-5, serving as an instructional coach, elementary school principal, and adjunct Reading instructor. Stephanie has also been recognized as an SCASCD Emerging Leader for two consecutive years and is now a member of the SCASCD Board of Directors. She is passionate about education and shares her passion by presenting at various educational conferences on topics including technology integration, computer science and coding in elementary grades, and instructional coaching. 

Jared, a dedicated educator with almost 20 years of experience, is passionate about leveraging technology to create engaging and effective learning environments. With a Master's in Educational Technology, he began his career as a high school Social Studies teacher before transitioning to an Instructional Technology Coach. Jared is a Google for Education Champion, (Trainer, Coach, and Innovator) who has been actively involved in the field of education. As a certified coach and mentor, he has supported other educators in their use of technology to transform instruction and learning. In 2017, he was one of the first 50 edtech coaches selected for Google's Dynamic Learning Project, which paved the way for the Google for Education Certified Coach Program. Jared continues to collaborate with teachers and students to develop innovative learning experiences, inspiring them to make the most of educational opportunities.

Kia Keyton is the Director of School and Community Engagement for OnTrack Greenville through the United Way of Greenville County.  Prior to joining OnTrack Greenville, Keyton was the director of the African American Male Scholars Initiative at Greenville Technical College (GTC).  Kia was also the director and success and retention navigator for the Transitions program at GTC.  Kia has taught College Skills, Freshman Seminar, and E-Learning Success online at GTC.   She teaches Theatre in Society online at Kennesaw State University.  Kia was a priority teacher for Los Angeles Unified School District for 6 years and a substitute for Greenville County Schools for 7 years.
Kia graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clark Atlanta University with a bachelor’s in Speech Communications and Theatre Arts.  She holds a master’s degree in Acting and a certificate in African American Theatre from University of Louisville.  Kia also holds a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.  She serves on the boards for the SC Children’s Theatre and the Greenville Homeless Alliance. Kia is a lifelong member of John Wesley United Methodist Church and recently celebrated 25 years as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  She and her husband, Alvin, own Keyton Construction and Keyline Capital Investment Group, LLC.

Cathy holds the position of Curriculum Resource Teacher at Crayton Middle School, located in Richland School District One, Columbia, SC. This school has earned distinction as a twice re-designated Schools to Watch. She is deeply committed to the professional development of educators and provides continuous training and support to 100 staff members at her school. Cathy has also shared her expertise as a speaker at conferences such as National Schools to Watch, AMLE (Association for Middle-Level Education), and ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). She has a strong passion for enhancing educational accessibility and implementing research-based practices, always eager to share her insights and knowledge with others. Cathy's contributions to education have been recognized through several accolades: she has been named a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Fellow, and Microsoft Certified Coach. Additionally, she has been honored as an 'Emerging Leader' by the SC Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Cathy contributes to the wider educational community as a micro-credential developer and assessor for the University of South Carolina and as an evaluator for the Schools to Watch program. 

Sarah Louie is an alternative- track fifth grade teacher at AJ Whittenberg Elementary of Engineering with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and many years of experience in a multitude of creative fields. She fell in love with design throughout her various educational experiences, and her goal is to help bridge the seemingly wide gap between educational resources and high-quality graphic design. She supports educators to create resources that inspire learners in a digital world, and believes students of all ages are capable of learning and applying technology that was once viewed as out of reach for younger students. 

Angie Neal is the SLP Contact and Policy Advisor for Speech-Language Services and Early Literacy at the South Carolina State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services. She stays busy as LETRS Facilitator, a board member with the State Education Agency Communication Disability Council, and as a member of the ASHA School Issues Advisory Board. Angie is the recipient of the Rolland Van Hattum Award for contributions to schools in South Carolina and the Nancy McKinley Award for leadership in Speech-Language Pathology in Ohio. She is a published author of two books and presents on a wide variety of topics all across the United States using her animated presentation style to keep audiences engaged and leaving with information that they can apply the next day! 

Peter Paccone is a San Marino High School social studies teacher with nearly three decades of teaching experience. He is widely recognized as a leading figure in AI and education. He frequently blogs and speaks about the topic and, in the past year, has appeared on numerous podcasts, sharing his insights on AI in education. He serves on the College Board's AI in AP Advisory Committee and holds the role of Teacher Advisory Board and Community Outreach Manager for Class Companion. Additionally, he founded the AI in AP Social Studies Facebook group and is his district's go-to expert for AI integration. 

Nancy Penchev is a STEM/Design Teacher and Instructional Technology Coordinator at Scheck Hillel Community School in North Miami Beach, Florida. She has led presentations at local, state, and international conferences and webinars on the Uncommon Test Prep for EdWeb.net and Common Sense Media and Teacher ideas for Distance Learning during a Pandemic for PBS SoCal. Nancy was published in Teaching in the Middle magazine, Association of Middle Level Educators, ISTE point/counterpoint, and PBS SoCal blog. Nancy founded Girls Building STEAM and is a local award winner for the National Council for Women in Information Technology and a 2019 honorable mention for the STEM Excellence award from ISTE. Nancy is a 2022-2023 participant of the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program where she studied the use of technology in classrooms throughout Vietnam and created a program to connect teachers around the world called Thoughtful Teacher Tech. 

Abigail Schiferl currently serves as a middle school Gateway to Technology teacher that teaches Project Lead the Way classes Automation/Robotics, Design/Modeling and Flight/Space.  She works at Pickens Middle School  in the School District of Pickens County in Pickens, South Carolina. In her 18  years of teaching she has taught middle level math & science and currently PLTW. She is Google Certified Level 1 & 2,  Wakelet Certified & Ambassador, Magic School Pioneer,  Curipod Certified Educator, Kami Certified Educator 1 & 2 & Kami Hero, Quizlet Ambassador, EDpuzzle Educator, BrainPOP Certified Educator, a Discovery Educator Network Star, SC ASCD Emerging Leader 2019,  and UTC Priority Presenter. She has a passion for using technology in the classrooms, learning new tools and sharing those tools with educators. She has presented at the South Carolina Council of Mathematics Conference, Upstate Technology Conference, South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Conference, South Carolina Midlands Summit Conference, FETC National Conference, Discovery Education Network Summer Institute, DEN VIrt Conf, #NotAtISTE Virtual Conference, as well as hosting the DEN Ambassador program. She is a SC ASCD Emerging Leader 2019-2020.  She earned her M.ed in Technology & STEM from Valley City State University. Twitter handle is @Mickeyteacher.

Debbie Tannenbaum is an ASCD Emerging Leader, ISTE Certified Educator,  ISTE Community Leader, author, blogger, and speaker. She offers schools and districts a wealth of expertise. With over 20 years of experience, she advocates starting with pedagogy first and then  transforming learning experiences by using technology tools. Debbie empowers educators with practical strategies, innovative ideas, and insightful guidance for leveraging technology to amplify student success. Connect with Debbie at TannenbaumTech.com or on social media at @TannenbaumTech. 

Brian Whitson is a Digital Teaching & Learning Consultant with the Office of Digital Teaching & Learning at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).  He proudly covers the Piedmont-Triad Region where he supports public schools units with the implementation and integration of digital tools, instruction, and technology.  Prior to coming to NCDPI, Brian worked as a classroom science and STEM teacher at Salisbury High School for fifteen years in Rowan-Salisbury, served as an Ed Tech Coach at China Grove Middle School for four years, and an instruction coach at Carson High School.  His most amazing teaching adventure involved teaching Design Thinking & Challenge Based Learning at North Rowan High School.  Brian has beed on the Board of Directors for NCTIES (North Carolina Technology in Education Society, an ISTE affiliate) for several years and currently serves as the organization's secretary.  He is also active on the North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA) where he serves as the social media manager.  Brian has presented at many state, local, and regional conferences in the past including NCTIES, NCSLMA, FETC, and ISTE.  Brian was recently named an ISTE certified educator. 

I'm a passionate middle school educator specializing in technology integration. Armed with an MEd in Instructional design, I'm on the path to earning my doctoral degree. As a single mom to two incredible daughters, aged 11 and 9, I'm dedicated to creating engaging learning experiences for 6-8th grade students, fostering curiosity and critical thinking. I am stoked to show you the wonderful world of ChatGPT!