As the CEO of ISTE+ASCD, Richard Culatta is focused on creating the next generation of innovative learning leaders. Richard has also served as the Chief Innovation Officer of the state of Rhode Island and was appointed by President Barack Obama to lead the US Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology. His book, Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World (Harvard Business Publishing) aims to help create conditions for healthy tech use at home and school.
Title: Preparing Every Student to Be an Amazing Human
in a Digital World
Date: 10-28-26
Time: 9:00-10:00
Location: Ballroom D
Description: Preparing students to be good digital citizens requires more than just teaching them how to use technology -- it requires intentional practice around using digital tools to become curious learners and creative problem solvers. These skills are even more essential than ever before as we need to make sure our students are graduating ready to thrive in an AI infused world. Join Richard Culatta for a conversation about how educators can effectively model the use of AI to help students become better at being human as well as how to find technology balance by shifting from "screen time" to "screen value."
Date: 10-28-26
Time: 10:30-11:30
Location: Ballroom D
Digital for Good: A Book Study Join ISTE CEO Richard Culatta for an interactive conversation based on his book, Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World. Participants will explore the five traits Culatta identifies as key to helping young people flourish online: balanced, informed, engaged, inclusive, and grounded. Rather than focusing on screen time limits, this session offers educators a constructive way to think about their role in building students' digital judgment and habits. Attendees will leave with discussion questions and classroom ready strategies they can put to use right away.
First 50 attendees will receive a copy of the book.
Keith R. Krueger is CEO of CoSN - The Consortium for School Networking, the premier nonprofit professional association organization that serves as the voice of K-12 Ed Tech leaders in North America. CoSN’s mission is enabling inclusive and nimble technology leadership to drive innovation.
He was selected one of District Administration’s Top 100 for 2025. In 2016 Technology & Learning selected him as one of the “big 10” most influential people in Ed Tech, and the Center for Digital Education identified him as a Top 30 Technologist/Transformer/Trailblazer. In 2008 he was selected by eSchool News as one of ten people who have had a profound impact on educational technology over the last decade. In 2016 he received a Special Recognition award from the Council of Great City Schools.
In 2025, Keith was a Visiting Scholar at Stanford Graduate School of Education focused on AI in K-12 in partnership with the Accelerator for Learning. Previously Keith conducted a Work Study on Digital Equity as an Associate in Practice at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. As a Certified Association Executive, he has extensive background in nonprofit management and has a Masters from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
Keynote: Thursday, 10-29-26
10:30-11:30, Ballroom D
State of EdTech: What’s Now, What’s Next
What’s keeping school district technology leaders up at night—and what innovations are energizing them? Join us for an inside look at the latest findings from the 2026 U.S. State of EdTech Leadership Survey. From increasing concerns about "screentime", rising cybersecurity threats and the rapid integration of AI, this Session unpacks the trends shaping the future of education technology.
Session: Thursday, 10-29-26
12:45-1:45, Ballroom D
Balancing Screentime Concerns
A national conversation about screens and technology in schools is underway. However, public debates often overlook a key truth: Screen time is not a single concept. Devices used for social media or entertainment are fundamentally different from instructional technology intentionally designed to support learning. Yet the challenges around well being and distraction are real—but often mischaracterized. How should education technology leaders engage with parents and respond to School Board concerns? How do we focus on quality not quantify? Come and engage in a conversation and learn about tools to help you better communicate.