2026 TETL Summer Conference

Districts invest heavily in EdTech, yet many tools fail to gain meaningful classroom adoption. This session explores the implementation gap between purchasing technology and using it effectively. Participants will examine common barriers to adoption and learn practical strategies to build sustainable systems that support teachers, align with instruction, and increase usage. Designed for technology leaders seeking to move beyond tools and focus on long-term impact.
Additional Information 
This session is informed by direct experience supporting EdTech implementation in a 1:1 high school environment that serves more than 2,000 students and 250 staff members. My work focuses on the gap between purchasing technology and achieving meaningful classroom use. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for improving adoption through instructional alignment, support structures, and implementation monitoring. This perspective is especially relevant for technology leaders seeking stronger returns on digital learning investments.
Essential Skill
Leadership & Vision

Speaker: Elijah Goins, Co-founder , ErateSync Beverly Sutherland Co-founder ErateSync
E-Rate is entering a new era. What does that mean, and what are the details? We'll cover everything you need to know about the E-Rate Program Review and the changes coming in FY2027.
From there, we'll get operational. What trends are we seeing nationwide, and what can CTOs and Technology Directors learn from them to make the most out of E-Rate? We'll look at the patterns that separate districts that maximize their funding from districts that leave it behind.

Ransomware is increasingly targeting schools, turning simple gaps into major disruptions. In this 30‑minute session, we’ll break down how attacks actually happen across K‑12 schools—from initial access (often via compromised credentials or phishing) to lateral movement and full network impact.
Using real-world examples, we’ll highlight why schools are especially vulnerable and where attackers are consistently succeeding. Most importantly, we’ll focus on practical, high‑impact defenses schools can implement today—covering prevention, detection, and response strategies that don’t require large budgets or complex tools.
Attendees will leave with a clear, actionable understanding of how to reduce risk and better protect their environments against modern ransomware threats.

On January 1, 2026, the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA) changed the landscape for every district in the state. This session provides a collaborative space for tech leaders to curate the essential policy updates, notice requirements, and risk management frameworks required for 2026 compliance. We will distill complex state mandates into a "District Support Toolkit" ready to share with TETL members statewide.

Essential Skill
Leadership & Vision; Strategic Planning; Ethics & Policies

La Vega ISD's technology department set out to fix school-family communication. What they built, over years of doing that work, was trust. Families responded. Attendance improved. The tech team became architects of real change. This session tells that story through district-wide data showing what happens when schools move from mass notifications to the right message reaching the right family at the right time. Come ready to think differently about what your tech team can do.




Additional Information 
Key Takeaways

1. Early family engagement at the start of the year predicts responsiveness all year long. When you reach out first, families show up.
2. When and how to send messages that produce measurably better outcomes than mass outreach.
3. Technology teams are well-positioned to lead family communication strategy, not just manage the tools.
4. This is a vendor agnostic presentation

Essential Skill
Communication Systems; Data Management; Leadership & Vision