FETC 2019 — IT Track Featured Speakers

Each year, FETC is tailored to the needs of an increasingly technology-driven education community — and 2019 will be no exception. The 39th National Future of Education Technology Conference features industry experts and unrivaled agenda content, an Expo Hall filled with the latest and greatest solutions, and a community of thousands eager to network with like-minded peers. Meet some of the Featured Speakers from the 2019 FETC IT Track below!

Deepak Agarwal is Chief Information Officer, Palm Beach Schools (FL). Recognized nationally for his energetic and results-driven approach, Deepak has a strong record of success in creating robust IT architecture and infrastructures and delivering complex technology solutions while managing costs and risks. Before joining Palm Beach, he served as the CIO for The Upper Deck Company, the “trading card” company, and The Chicago Tribune. Deepak holds a bachelor and master degrees in computer science, and he also an MBA from Northwestern University. Deepak will join his former boss, Dr. Robert Avossa, Senior Vice President at LRP Publications and former Superintendent of Schools at Fulton County Schools (GA) and Palm Beach Schools (Fl) on how to attract, develop, and retain top school IT talent. He will also join Serena E. Sacks, Chief Information Officer, Fulton County School District (GA), in leading an in-depth workshop on the same topic.

 As Founder and President of PlayWell, LLC, Linnette Attai has over 25 years of experience guiding clients through the complex compliance obligations governing data privacy matters, online user safety and marketing, with a focus in the education and entertainment sectors. Linnette is Project Director for the CoSN Privacy Initiative and Trusted Learning Environment programs, and serves as a virtual Chief Privacy Officer and Data Protection Officer to a number of companies, and speaks nationally on online privacy, safety and marketing matters. Her book, Student Data Privacy: Building a School Compliance Program, will be published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers June 30, 2018. Of course, Linnette will be leading our conversations on student data privacy, cyber security, and providing guidance on the latest web accessibility regulations and enforcement in K-12 education.

Gary Brantley is Chief Information Officer, DeKalb County School District (GA). Gary has 14 years of leadership in his current position. Previously he worked at IBM, as well as MCI WorldCom and Lorain City School District in Ohio. He has a bachelor of science degree from Youngstown State University and master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix and MIT. Gary will be presenting the changing role of the CIO in school IT.

 Derrick Brown currently serves as the Chief Innovation Officer for Evergreen Public Schools (EPS) in Vancouver, WA, where he is part of the superintendent’s cabinet providing a collaborative strategic vision for Technology Services and EdTech. EPS educates nearly 27,000 students and employs 3,300 people. Derrick’s career spans 24 years in various roles including CIO/CTO of Pulaski County Special School District, Sr. Project Manager for Portland Public Schools, and other capacities in state and federal government agencies, healthcare and telecom. At FETC 2019, Derrick will be presenting on cybersecurity and certification, how IT successfully partners with curriculum & instruction, and how he will also join the panel on how to move from IT to innovation.

Dr. Matthew X. Joseph is the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation in Milford Public Schools (MA). Previously, he served as an elementary school principal for 11 years, which givens Matt incredible insights on how IT can best support teaching and learning, for which is recognized nationally. Matt holds licenses in education, administration, and MA superintendent. His master’s degree is in special education and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Boston College. Matt is an accomplished writer in the EdTech space with articles featured in Tech and Learning Leader (blog), eSchool News, and EdTech K-12 and he regularly presents at MASSCUE, ISTE, and many other regional and national events. At FETC 2019, Matt will present “Blitz Educational Transformation” in the FETC 2019 IT Track and serve on the “From IT to Innovation” panel.

 Diane Doersch is Chief Technology & Information Officer of Green Bay Area Public Schools (WI) After a distinguished career as a classroom educator, Diane made the leap into a role as district educational technology leader and hasn’t looked back. As she delivered, she climbed into executive leadership by leveraging her twin passions for sound instruction and technology-as-customer-service. In 2015 and 2016, Diane was named to Huffington Post’s Most 100 Social EdTech Leaders list. As a featured speaker, Diane will be all over the conference in 2019, from leading a workshop: CETL Certification to sharing how to successfully transition from the classroom to leading school IT. She will also serve on a panel from how IT leaders can lead innovation in their schools and districts, and she’ll co-present on how IT can successfully partner with special education for the benefit for all students.

 Serena E. Sacks is Chief Information Officer, Fulton County School District (GA). She has held executive leadership positions and C-level consulting roles in organizations such as IBM, Walt Disney World, Wyndham and HD Supply. She earned her bachelors and master’s degrees at SUNY Stony Brook has won several accolades and holds numerous professional certifications. At FETC 2019, Serena will join her former boss, Dr. Robert Avossa, Senior Vice President at LRP Publications and former Superintendent of Schools at Fulton County Schools (GA) and Palm Beach Schools (Fl) on how to attract, develop, and retain top school IT talent and conduct an in-depth workshop on the same topic with Deepak Agarwal, Chief Information Officer, of Palm Beach Schools (FL).

 Michelle Zimmerman, Ph.D., is Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning Sciences, Renton Preparatory School (WA). She also services Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and was selected again as Microsoft MVP for global impact and had the opportunity to brief Satya Nadella and his executive team on her research of turning applications into practice. Michelle has 18 years in the classroom (PreK–10) and 11 years implementing research into practice, designing Renton Prep. Her students have gained international recognition through global school visits hosting Ministries of Education and Delegates at Renton Prep from China, Pakistan, Serbia, Croatia, Australia, UK, Japan, Brazil, New Zealand, and Netherlands, as well as U.S.A. Michelle is lead author of the book Teaching AI: Exploring New Frontiers for Learning published through ISTE. Michelle will be presenting across FETC 2019 on artificial intelligence (AI) and design thinking and she will help school IT leaders better understand how AI is beginning to impact the back office.

To find more information or to register for FETC, visit fetc.org or call 1-800-727-1227.