AI Educator Summit: Full Schedule

8:15am CDT

Keynote Speaker - Connecting Humanity and Innovation in Education

Tuesday August 4, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CDT

Innovation flourishes when grounded in human values. This keynote introduces the THRIVE Framework: tenacity, honesty, relatability, integrity, vulnerability, and empathy as a foundation for driving innovation and collaboration in education and the world of work. By focusing on building meaningful relationships, the framework fosters an educational culture where students feel supported, educators feel empowered, and innovation becomes a natural outcome of collaboration.
This keynote explores how combining these values with innovative practices can transform education, fostering environments that inspire growth, creativity, and connection, and preparing everyone for today and the future of work. Attendees will be challenged to rethink how they approach innovation, how to prepare all students regardless of grade level or content area, and walk away with actionable insights on how to use these values to create equitable and inclusive learning environments that prepare all students to thrive today and in the workforce.

Speakers

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth is an edtech consultant, presenter, attorney, author, and longtime teacher of Spanish and STEAM: Emerging Technology. Rachelle has a Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law, a Master’s degree, and a Doctorate in Instructional Technology. Rachelle... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Gymnasium

Keynote

8:15am CDT

Keynote Speaker - Boy, That Escalated Quickly: Navigating Change in the Age of AI

Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CDT

Gymnasium

AI didn't invent the panic that comes with new classroom technology. Calculators, the internet, and cell phones each sparked the same fears, and yet here we are, still teaching. In this keynote, Mark Henderson puts today's AI moment in perspective, validates the real concerns educators are feeling, and offers a practical, human-centered way to move forward. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.

Speakers

Mark Henderson

AI x Education Specialist

Mark Henderson is the Director of AI Initiatives at the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) and the creator of the Assignment Makeover framework, a practical approach to redesigning classroom tasks for the AI age. A former high school English teacher, Mark brings a classroom-first... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Gymnasium

Keynote

AI Educator Summit

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AI Educator Summit

8:15am CDT

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth

8:15am CDT

Mark Henderson

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