Conference Theme Innovative Learning

M1-01-Ex Salon A/B 9:00 am - 9:50 am	Artificial Intelligence: Potential, Precautions, Mind Blowing Possibilities Maureen Yoder, Professor, Lesley University
*  Level: Intermediate	Come to a lightning-fast session on the latest and most promising Generative AI (GenAI) enhanced tools. Using GenAI to summarize the vast GenAI offerings, this human adds current research, teaching strategies, and a comprehensive overview. The popularity of artificial intelligence brings exciting possibilities, but also concern to educators. Hear suggestions about how to bring GenAI into classrooms in thoughtful ways to promote student creativity and support learning. Teaching approaches reflect inclusion, STEAM activities, and ISTE Standards, thoughtfully looking toward our students' futures. Hear from educators in various communities, including urban, rural, and suburban locations, teaching all grades levels and subject areas. Completely updated from last year's CMTC, included is a light-hearted reflection on where we are with GenAI and where we might be going. The agenda is full, but links to all the resources and articles will be available to explore later. Enter a raffle for techy door prizes.
M1-02-Ex Webster 9:00 am - 9:50 am	10th Year of #GoogleAddict Craig Sheil, Digital Learning Specialist, Bedford High School, and Kerri Lunn, Bedford School District
*  Level: Beginner	Let's celebrate a decade of giving our #GoogleAddict session at CMTC! There is still learning to be had so take this opportunity to learn clever tips, ideas, tricks and techniques relating to the Google Workspace for Education. Come join the party.
M1-03-In Pierce 9:00 am - 9:50 am	CANCELLED ~ Lead Smarter: AI-Enhanced Workflows for School Leaders (60) Peter Siner, Professional Learning Specialist/ Founder, Teach Smarter
Level: Intermediate	Explore how school leaders can use AI to streamline daily tasks, support instructional goals, and reduce time spent on repetitive work. This session introduces practical, leadership-focused workflows using tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. You will try out prompts designed to help with walkthrough feedback, family communication, PD planning, IEP and MTSS documentation, and more. The session also covers how to evaluate AI outputs for clarity, tone, and usefulness. You will leave with examples, templates, and a clearer sense of how AI can support your role without adding complexity or risk.
M1-04-Ex Merrimack 9:00 am - 9:50 am	Why Comfort Can Hold Us Back: Rethinking Growth in Schools Lorraine Connell, Former Teacher / Student Leadership, Peers not Fears
Level: Beginner  Extensions	Learn to recognize how staying in the comfort zone limits both adult and student growth, and begin to reframe discomfort as an essential part of learning. Walk away with new language and insight to open up conversations in your school community about what it really means to grow---and how we can support one another in doing so. Why do educators resist stepping into roles like advisory? Why do students shut down when learning gets hard? In this session, explore how the Zones of Comfort---Comfort, Challenge, and Panic---show up in schools and silently shape resistance, disengagement, and fear of failure.
M2-01-In Salon A/B 10:20 am - 11:10 am	Dive Into SchoolAI 2.0 (60) Melissa Brayall, Digital Learning Specialist, Londonderry High School, and Paul Petrimoulx, Londonderry Middle School
*  Level: Intermediate	Get hands-on experience with the brand new, redesigned SchoolAI interface! Learn about how students, teachers, staff, and administrators can utilize SchoolAI's newest tools to improve productivity and enhance learning. No experience with SchoolAI is necessary, but participants should have a basic understanding of generative AI.
M2-02-In Webster 10:20 am - 11:10 am	ELEMENTARY AI EXPLORERS: Guiding the Next Generation through GenAI (60) Susan Leifer, Digital Learning Specialist, Oyster River School District - Mast Way
*  Level: Beginner  Extensions	Generative AI is no just coming---it is already here, and our elementary students are eagerly experimenting with these powerful tools at home. As these young explorers venture into this new technological landscape, how do we equip them with the compass and map they need? Join me for an interactive session where you discover creative ways to introduce crucial AI literacy concepts---bias recognition, fact vs. fiction, ethical considerations, and digital citizenship---without placing young students directly on large language models. Explore classroom-ready approaches using tangible tools like Turing Tumbles, Code.org activities, and a treasure trove of age-appropriate resources that make abstract AI concepts concrete and accessible. Transform your classroom into an AI discovery zone where students become thoughtful technology navigators rather than passive consumers!
M2-03-In Pierce 10:20 am - 11:10 am	Crack the Code: Creating Innovative Scratch-infused Elementary Lessons (60) Roxanne Molina, Head of School, Bedford Academy, and Brianna Nolet, Bedford Academy
Level: Beginner	Discover how to transform elementary lessons into dynamic, student-centered experiences using Scratch, the free block-based coding platform designed for young learners. In this hands-on session, attendees explore innovative strategies for creating Scratch-infused lessons across subjects to promote creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking with elementary students. Attendees engage in a Scratch-infused literacy lesson and then, review and discuss example lessons in other subject areas. No prior coding experience is needed---just bring your curiosity and leave with practical strategies and ideas to "crack the code" and create Scratch-infused elementary lessons.
M2-04-Ex Merrimack 10:20 am - 11:10 am	Building Community & Engagement Through Student-Led Video Announcements Liz Lichtenberg, Technology Integrator, Gilmanton School, SAU#79
*  Level: Beginner  Extensions	Discover how you can transform the mundanity of morning announcements into a dynamic and engaging learning experience for your students using minimal resources and skill. Empower tough-to-reach students and challenge those who are looking to transform their learning. Soon your entire school will be singing your selected theme songs, requesting more episodes of their favorite special features, and treating your anchors like celebrities!
M3-01-Ex Salon A/B 11:40 am - 12:30 pm	Prompt Engineering for Teachers: A Practical Guide to AI Communication Karen Bellidoro, 5th Grade Teacher, Bath Village School
*  Level: Beginner	Demystify the art and science of communicating effectively with Artificial Intelligence in "Prompt Engineering for Teachers: A Practical Guide to AI Communication." This interactive workshop equips you with the fundamental principles and practical techniques of prompt engineering, empowering you to harness the full potential of AI tools for educational purposes. Explore the key elements of crafting clear, concise, and targeted prompts that elicit the desired responses from various AI applications. Learn how to iterate on your prompts, refine your language, and troubleshoot common challenges to achieve optimal results, whether you are generating lesson ideas, creating assessment questions, personalizing learning materials, or exploring other AI-powered possibilities. Gain practical strategies and real-world examples relevant to the classroom, enabling you to confidently integrate AI into your teaching workflow. Leave this session with a solid understanding of prompt engineering and the ability to communicate effectively with AI, unlocking new avenues for creativity, efficiency, and student engagement.
M3-03-Ex Pierce 11:40 am - 12:30 pm	AI & Professional Learning Christina DiMicelli, Director of EdTech Learning & Growth, Pinkerton Academy, and Kirsten Soroko
Level: Intermediate	Hear from the Professional Learning team at Pinkerton Academy on how they provided generative AI training and information to faculty and staff over the last 3 years. Leave with practical ideas you can utilize in your own learning environment.
M3-04-Ex Merrimack 11:40 am - 12:30 pm	Beyond the Bot- How Robotics Transforms Learning for Every Student Emily Hajko, True Robotics Inc, and Anthony Galgano, True Robotics Inc
Level: Beginner	Explore how robotics and AI can transform learning across all content areas---not just STEM. In this interactive session, educators and administrators discover practical ways to use robotics to support instruction in math, ELA, science, and beyond, while fostering the future-ready skills students need for the rapidly changing workforce. Compare traditional classroom manipulatives with hands-on, tech-integrated alternatives that deepen learning and engagement. Hear real classroom case studies that highlight how robotics opens doors for diverse learners---including kinesthetic students, English language learners, and advanced thinkers.
M3-05-Ex Concord 11:40 am - 12:30 pm	Steal Like a Librarian: Finding Free & Low-Budget Ideas for EdTech Krystal Searah, Library Media Specialist, Merrimack Valley Middle School
*  Level: Beginner	Discover how to "steal like a librarian" by curating, remixing, and sharing the best free and low-cost educational technology resources. This interactive session equips educators with practical strategies for sourcing, adapting, and collaborating on classroom-ready ideas without breaking the bank. Participants explore open educational resources, teacher sharing platforms, and social networks, learn the art of remixing content for their unique contexts, and experience real-time collaborative curation. Attendees leave with a toolkit of resources, inspiration to remix ideas for their own classrooms, and actionable ways to build a culture of sharing and innovation in their schools.
M3-Capital Armory	QH Supercharging Personalized Learning Stacey Pominville, Program Manager - Partnership, VLACS, and Julie Reece, VLACS
Level: Intermediate	Explore how personalized, competency-based education models can help address pressing issues within the education community---such as re-engaging disengaged students, reducing inequities between districts, and expanding access to high-quality learning experiences. The education system is facing significant strain, reflected in the experiences of students, families, and educators alike. Rising class sizes, limited resources, and ongoing debates over educational policy are generating concerns that may compromise the quality and fairness of learning opportunities.
T1-01-In Salon A/B 9:00 am - 9:50 am	AI as an Educator's Thought Partner (60) Rebecca Magary, SpotLight, Founder, AI Navigator, and Susan Fenn
Level: Intermediate	Spark innovation and amplify your teaching voice by leveraging generative AI as a thought partner. This interactive session explores the practical strategies and the clear roadmap needed when integrating AI tools into your teaching practice. Navigate the critical groundwork necessary at the district level to ensure responsible and effective AI integration. This includes a practical way to implement the guidelines and toolkits provided to educators through various organizations. Explore how various AI tools can be used to enhance creative lesson ideas, differentiate instruction for diverse learners, develop engaging activities, and streamline administrative tasks all while ensuring that the human element of teaching remains at the forefront. Expect hands-on exploration of AI tools and a robust discussion around "what works and why," sharing successes and addressing challenges together. Leave with actionable insights and the confidence to harness AI as a powerful colleague in your mission to cultivate a more personalized, engaging, and impactful learning experience for every student.
T1-03-In Pierce 9:00 am - 9:50 am	Using Drones to Drive Student Engagement (80) Laurie Prewandowski, Technology Integration Specialist, Kearsarge Regional School District, and Louann Cormier, REC Foundation
*  Level: Beginner	Explore innovative strategies to engage and empower computer science learners from diverse backgrounds and with a range of different coding abilities. Our multi-faceted approach incorporates universal design for learning principles, career preparation, and hands-on activities to foster both in-class and out-of-class learning. Participants learn how to design inclusive and accessible coding challenges, leveraging platforms like CoDrone EDU to introduce algorithmic thinking and problem solving skills. Explore how to combine competitive flying and coding with collaborative projects to create a supportive and motivating learning environment that prepares students for future success in computer science and beyond. This session also includes information on how to start a drone competition team to promote STEM learning outside of the classroom.
T2-01-In Salon A/B 10:20 am - 11:10 am	Unlock the Strategy Vault: Time-Saving, Impact-Boosting Strategies (60) Terra Tarango, Director, Van Andel Institute for Education
Level: Beginner	Get ready for a fast-paced, strategy-packed session! Need quick ways to group students, foster self-direction, or streamline assessments? Looking for engaging AI activities that boost student critical and creative thinking? We've got you! These real-teacher hacks save time, boost engagement, and make teaching easier. See them in action, try them out, and leave with a vault of ready-to-use tools---no extra prep required!
T2-03-Ex Pierce 10:20 am - 11:10 am	Twenty-six for 26". Tools, Technologies & Trends for Teaching & Learning Maureen Yoder, Professor, Lesley University
*  Level: Intermediate	Experience a fast-paced session that highlights twenty-six timely trends, innovative technologies, and useful tools. Completely updated from last year's NHCMTC session, it covers technologies for all grade levels and subject areas. General and specific use artificial intelligence tools are described. Strategies for addressing the challenges and benefits of teaching with them are included, along with multiple ways of using GenAI to save time planning lessons and creating teaching materials. Explore free tools you can master quickly, an update on virtual and augmented reality apps, the largest collections of free authentic artifacts, outstanding video and audio archives, new ways of reaching special needs students, and inexpensive little drones and robots. Hear about technologies and innovative ideas that do not yet exist at the time this session was proposed. The term "Electronic Constructivism" was coined by Maureen who links these technologies to what it is all about: Good Teaching. No experience necessary - just your curiosity and your enthusiasm about teaching. The agenda is packed, but you receive links to all resources to explore later. The session ends with a raffle of "techy" door prizes.
T3-01-Ex Salon A/B 11:40 am - 12:30 pm	Navigating Partnerships with GenAI - Educator Perspective Craig Sheil, Digital Learning Specialist, Bedford High School, and Josh Bashalany, Bedford High School
*  Level: Beginner	Explore how an educator can leverage GenAI to support their curriculum, from asking thoughtful questions, to co-designing curriculum, to creating engaging lesson plans, to developing tailored instructional materials and supporting day to day tasks. Come listen to a humanities teacher's perspective of what he has discovered from working with generative AI the past two years. What has worked? What hasn't worked? Which LLM works better for some tasks? Come with an open mind and a device for exploration.
T3-04-Ex Merrimack 11:40 am - 12:30 pm	AI-Powered Insights with Your Own Data-Set Using NotebookLM Deb Boisvert, Consultant, Google Certified Educator, NHSTE
*  Level: All levels	Discover NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered research and notetaking assistant. Using your own documents, NotebookLM can help you quickly synthesize information, generate ideas, and create content. Explore its potential for enhancing diverse projects, from academic research and content creation to streamlining podcast production. Learn practical strategies to leverage NotebookLM for more effective information management and creative output.