4PM ET (*Note later time start once school year begins)
Engaging All Students with Esports in Education: Sharing Strategies and Lessons Learned as Esports Programs Grow Nationally
Academic esports programs are exploding all over the nation! The extraordinary potential of esports to channel student passion for video game competition has unfolded into career curriculum and college readiness pathways with all students learning transformational skills. Learn how school districts and universities are empowering students to embrace gaming, the biggest form of entertainment in the world, to support equity, teamwork, soft skills, and mental and social-emotional health. Why does your school need esports? Listen to the shared experiences of this panel of district administrators and esports leaders to gain insight into the how, what and who to leverage to build technology partnerships and community support for esports programs. The panel will cover the latest topics in esports from understanding the gaming culture, recruiting and coaching high-performance athletes, to equipment updates your team may need and how to fund it all. Register for the event here.
PANELISTS:
Glenn Robbins, Superintendent, Brigantine Schools
@Glennr1809
Proud Superintendent, National Superintendent Certification, AASA National Governing Board Member, AASA Aspiring Superintendent Mentor, NJ Visionary Superintendent Award, Northeast Innovative Superintendent Award, National Exemplar of Education Award, Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools Member, Keynote Speaker, NASSP Digital Principal of the Year, SETDA Award Winner, Chair of NJASA Technology Committee, Leader of Academic Excellence through Design Thinking and Futurism. Glenn will be a Featured Speaker at FETC 2024.
Chris Turner, Director of Mixed Reality Virtual Innovation Gaming and Esports Institute
Southern University Law Center
@GeauxPlayES
As the Director of Mixed Reality Virtual Innovation Gaming and Esports Institute (MRVIGE) at Southern University Law Center (SULC), Chris develops and oversees programs that connect computing, law, IT careers, and the metaverse. With over 20 years of experience as a visual artist, graphic designer, and educator, he holds multiple certifications in esports and COVID-19 for coaches and administrators. Chris lists his core competencies as esports curriculum development, coaching, and consulting, as well as event organization, communication, and branding. He is passionate about promoting student engagement across the curriculum through esports and technology and has established successful esports clubs and programs in both K-12 and collegiate settings. As host of the Geaux Play Esports podcast, he shares insights and best practices on esports education and culture. His mission is to enrich the lives of all educators, gamers, and students, and to transform the way they view and use esports as a gateway to learning and career opportunities. Chris will be a Featured Speaker at FETC 2024.
Jihan Johnston, Esports Education Specialist,
North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF)
@Hiphopedtecdiva
Jihan Johnston-McGlotten is a seasoned, multifunctional learning change agent with experience as an accomplished educator with proven expertise in the pedagogical framework with a proven track record in teaching, curriculum and program development, and leadership development.
Dr. Katrina Adkins, Vice President, United States Academic Esports League
Register for the event here!
Professor of Gaming & Esports, University of Alaska Fairbanks
@DrKatrinaAdkins
Dr. Katrina Adkins has been in education for 20 years. She has taught Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd Grade, 6th through 12th Grade computer science, as well as college. Katrina’s strong desire to integrate technology into her classroom resulted in a Masters in Instructional Technology and a Doctorate in Instructional Technology & Distance Education. She spent 7 years in administration as a Director of Technology as well as a Technology Coach. Dr. Adkins has been featured at conferences and schools across the world and has authored dozens of educational technology whitepapers, books, journal articles, and blog posts. Her professional passions include Leadership, Esports, Space Design, Coding and Computer Science, E-Parenting, and Student Voice. Personally, Katrina has two teenagers who keep her up to date on the challenges of living in a technologically advanced world.
Jennifer Womble, Conference Chair, FETC
@JenWomble
Jennifer Womble’s vision for transforming education includes creating high quality professional development for education in the technology space. Serving as the Conference Chair for the Future of Education Technology Conference (#FETC), the largest independent edtech conference in North America, she specializes in developing innovative edtech events and hands-on experiences to engage education and leadership audiences and promote learning experiences, and implement modern pedagogy infused with technological tools. Named Edtech and Elearning Top 200 Influencers, Top Edtech Products Judge for District Administration and Reimagine Education Awards, EdTech Digest Leadership Award. She demonstrates daily the value of community involvement, the pursuit of learning science and the role of innovative leadership. Whether leading, teaching or volunteering, she spreads her energetic spirit and inspires others to invest in our future—our children!
