AEtech Makes Its Mark at ISTE

As a life-long learner and decades-long member of ASCD, this year’s conference again allowed me the opportunity to attend one of my favorite professional growth forums. From hallways, elevators, and meeting spaces overflowing with expectant educators, to vibrant, passionate and informed presenters, to myriad of presentations and content foci and categories, educational leaders, teachers, and lifelong learners lacked little good earthly educational training as the 2026 ISTE-ASCD Convention launched in Orlando Florida. Yes, while I must admit, I’m still adjusting to the marrying of these two organizations [ASCD & ISTE], what was viewed by many holdouts a couple years back as an uncomfortable union (some old preferences die hard), is now embraced as necessary for today’s learning milieu.

A one-hundred percent-infused digital and technology alliance harnessed the intersection of pedagogy and digital innovation. And this alliance was unmistakable. For the newly aligned partners, as well as for attendees, gone are the days of finding workshops, plenaries and presentations, not to speak of content forums in pedagogy, curriculum, learning standards, educational leadership, and the like, independent of today’s learning digital context. ASCD/ISTE, newly rebranded as the International Society for Transforming Educators, ISTE, has at full throttle, taxied down the runway, and is now airborne with educational training, digital preparedness protocols, and processes, taking us to places we may not before ventured. Welcome to the international global, 21st Century leading, teaching, and leading platform in this digital age. Fasten your seatbelts.

Ruth HortonNAD VP for Education

While the term “AI” has become dominant in conversations about educational technology, educators must be careful not to lose the personal touch that remains at the heart of effective teaching. AI and adaptive technology tools can enhance—not replace—the role of the teacher. By using these tools to differentiate instruction in real time, educators can better meet students at their individual skill levels without significantly increasing preparation time. Ultimately, technology should not diminish the human element of education; it should give educators additional tools to personalize instruction, support students, and make meaningful learning more accessible.

Considering the challenges being faced with students and Mathematics, what interested me particularly was Prodigy, a platform that gamifies mathematics learning and provides schools with access to many of its educational features at no cost. This was especially appealing because the cost of educational technology resources can quickly add up for schools. Prodigy also provides parents with the option to purchase additional features if they desire expanded learning opportunities for their children.

In my role as an AEtech representative, I continue to keep available resources, programs, and discounts in front of our superintendents and principals as much as possible. My goal is to help educational leaders identify digital solutions that address existing challenges while also introducing them to new and emerging tools that can strengthen teaching and learning.

Sherina PhillipsAssociate Superintendent, Northeastern Conference of SDA — Atlantic Union Conference AEtech Representative

ISTE was full of people who are passionate about creating, finding, and using the right tools at the right time and the right way to deliver the best education. This year there was serious reflection on how much screen time is right. A lot of schools have restrictions on how much screen time is allowed, but the response was that we should be focusing on improving the quality of screen time at school and use a mix of high quality teaching methods both on and off the screen.

Desmond Suarez IIColumbia Union Conference AEtech Representative

In the past edtech conferences have been hard for distance schools. A lot of sessions and exhibitor offerings only really worked for traditional schools. This year was the first time I felt like most people I met were aware of and thinking about distance learning. A highlight for me was seeing a drone education program and realizing they had virtual drone piloting courses with a digital simulator, so kids from all over the world can learn how to pilot drones for a career and get certified, even if they didn’t have access to physical tools and space where they live.

Ben KreiterGriggs International Academy, LMS Administrator, Bible Curriculum Design — Distance Learning AEtech Representative

One of the most noticeable trends at ISTE 2026 were, without question, artificial intelligence. AI was everywhere, but the conversation has moved beyond simply asking, “What can AI do?” The more important question has become, “How can we use AI to improve learning?” I left feeling excited—not simply about new technology, but about the possibilities for teaching and learning. It was a powerful reminder that innovation is at its best when it strengthens what matters most: great teaching, meaningful relationships, student curiosity, and learning that truly transforms lives. One of my favorite takeaways were the new smart screens like this one from Google.

Pricing has become much more manageable, and the possibilities are endless for classroom use. They are light, mobile, and much more affordable than ever before!

Nicole MattsonLake Union Conference, Director of Education — Lake Union Conference AEtech Representative

There was a lot more focus from vendors this year – instead of just tech solutions to do everything companies seemed more focused on how it would be deployed in the classroom and why a teacher should use it. This seemed especially true for AI integrations. My favorite thing was getting my hands on the newer generation Framework laptops to see how they’re assembled. Their focus is on simple repairability which I find is important for student devices which find their way into various perilous situations throughout the school year.

In my role in AEtech I help my territory with disbursing information on NAD contracts and services, as well as purchasing and a point of contact for troubleshooting support for FACTS, Lightspeed, MAP and NAD Dashboard issues. I also serve as AEtech’s representative to NAD Technical Standards Committee.

Tyler RettlerRocky Mountain Conference of SDA, IT Director — Mid America Union AEtech Representative

Attending ISTE gave me a valuable opportunity to explore emerging trends in educational technology. After spending two days in the exhibit hall, one thing was clear: nearly every company is incorporating AI into its existing products. At the same time, I appreciated the emphasis on using technology intentionally—not simply for technology’s sake. Technology should support learning where it is necessary and helpful while still allowing us to be thoughtful about limiting students’ screen time.

Many companies demonstrated impressive products that smaller schools could not afford independently. I was grateful that AEtech was there connecting with vendors and exploring system-wide pricing for our SDA schools. It was also encouraging to visit companies we already work with, including Jupiter Ed, Typing Agent, and IXL. One of my favorite exhibits was Zhengrui Education, which displayed miniature wood- and metalworking tools designed with student safety in mind. Their scroll saw, for example, could cut wood but was unlikely to cut a finger. Although these tools would not be the right fit for every school, I was excited by their potential to introduce students to the trades and provide meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Overall, ISTE reinforced for me that the best educational tools—whether digital or hands-on—are those chosen thoughtfully to meet genuine student and teacher needs.

Archie HarrisUpper Columbia Conference Associate Superintendent — North Pacific Union Conference AEtech co-representative

ISTE/ASCD has been an exciting opportunity for me to explore what is happening in educational technology and get a glimpse of where EdTech seems to be heading. Walking through the exhibit hall and talking with exhibitors, I noticed how much AI has become part of the EdTech landscape. What stood out to me was that many companies are now incorporating AI more purposefully into their technologies rather than simply using it as an add-on. As a hands-on teacher, I was especially drawn to tools that encourage students to create, build, and experiment.

One company that caught my attention was SparkBlock, which uses LEGO-like pieces with built-in circuit components so students can learn how circuits work while actually building with them. I also connected with companies offering educational robots, 3D printers, UV printers, and other tools that support hands-on learning. Beyond discovering new technologies, one of my biggest takeaways was the opportunity to build connections. Many companies were very open to continuing conversations and exploring ways to collaborate with us as the AEtech team, which opens the door for potential partnerships and new opportunities for our schools.

Rozeleth TengaPacific Union Conference AEtech Representative

Walking through the exhibit hall at ISTE 2026 in Orlando, I was impressed by the number of companies focused on empowering teachers with practical resources to help students develop critical thinking skills, digital and social media literacy, and responsible technology habits. Companies such as Britannica, MagicSchool, and Khan Academy demonstrated tools and resources designed not only to support academic learning but also to teach students how to use technology ethically, safely, and effectively. Exhibitors highlighted lessons on evaluating online information, recognizing misinformation, protecting personal data, practicing respectful online communication, and using AI responsibly. What impressed me most was the emphasis on preparing students for a digital world by embedding digital citizenship skills into everyday classroom activities rather than treating them as standalone lessons, helping students practice skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

Resources: My Digital World — Teach Britannica; Most Used AI Tools in Classrooms | MagicSchool Wrapped 2025; ALS Digital Citizenship | Life skills | Khan Academy

Andrea Henry-SmithSouthern Union Conference of SDA, Associate Director: Library/Information Resources — Southern Union Conference AEtech Representative

The Lunchroom Question

We would never stand in a school lunchroom with a stopwatch and announce, “Fifteen minutes. You have had enough food. Stop eating.” That is not the question we ask at lunch. We ask what is on the plate. Is it nourishing? Is it helping kids grow?

That was my key takeaway from this summer’s ISTE+ASCD conference in Orlando, where education leaders, including CEO Richard Culatta, author of Digital for Good, kept pressing past minute counting toward a better question. Not just how long students are on screens, but what they are consuming. Quality over quantity.

The worry behind screen-time limits is real, and healthy boundaries still matter. But boundaries alone are not a plan. A nourishing screen looks like technology giving teachers real-time clarity into each student’s learning and understanding, so we can respond today rather than at the unit test. It looks like adaptive platforms delivering content at a student’s real learning level rather than what the pacing guide assumes. It looks like students creating instead of merely consuming, connecting instead of comparing, and serving others.

So before we reach for the stopwatch, maybe the better move is to look at the plate. What is this screen serving?

Aaron LongBurton Adventist Academy, Director of Advancement — Southwestern Union Conference AEtech Representative

This was my first experience attending an ISTELive event. I left feeling inspired and excited by the new ideas and approaches shaping education today. Although I enjoyed exploring the many booths and discovering new tools and resources, it was the breakout sessions and Mainstage presentations that I found especially meaningful. Throughout the sessions I attended, I was encouraged by how many of the conversations came back to AI, creativity, and the importance of keeping people at the center of technology. What stood out to me most was the reminder that, even as technology continues to change, relationships, curiosity, and human connection remain at the heart of education. In my role as an AEtech representative, I look for practical ideas and relevant topics that can help us better support and equip teachers, particularly as they navigate new technologies and explore meaningful ways to use tools purposefully to support student learning.

Paola Franco-OudriAdventist Learning Community