CPS Tech Talk 2025

CPS Tech Talk 2025

Welcome to Tech Talk 2025 hosted by Chicago Public Schools’ Information & Technology Services Department

The Information & Technology Services Department of Chicago Public Schools is thrilled to announce Tech Talk 2025, taking place on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025.

Tech Talk is a comprehensive, virtual professional development conference spearheaded by CPS educators, Tech Coordinators, Google experts, SOPPA-approved vendors, and CPS thought leaders. This day-long event is designed to enhance your skills and provide valuable insights into the tech tools necessary for organization and student engagement.

For inquiries, contact the Tech Talk Team at itstraining@cps.edu.

8:15am CST

Tech Talk 2025 Opening Session Virtual for CPSJennifer Keating • Jesse Steffens • Norman Fleming

9:00am CST

Effective Use of AI in Your CS Classroom: Virtual for CPSDavid Kleinhans Inclusive, AI-powered Class Discussions with Parlay Virtual for CPSAnna Lisa Martin Kami Curious To Kami Confident Virtual for CPSStephanie Howell Navigating the AI Landscape: Building a Foundation for AI Literacy in CPS Virtual for CPSTaissa Lau • Lorne Rodgriuez Top Five Jamf Pro Tickets Seen in ServiceNow Virtual for CPSKarly Murphy Chicago Debates Coaches' Clinic for Debate Coaches Virtual for CPSSonny Patel From Data to Insights: Using Lumio to Support Assessment and Student Growth Virtual for CPSMichelle Grinberg • Laura Barr Overview of Dashboard Virtual for CPSRohith Dasararaju Using Learning Management Systems to Differentiate Virtual for CPSTiffany Jones Computer Science eSports in CPS Virtual for CPSRene Anaya • Joshua Butler The Basics of Nearpod Virtual for CPSRon Carroll Supporting Literacy and Math K-8 Virtual for CPSJohn Rocco Best Practices in Universal Design for Learning in the Mathematics Classroom Virtual for CPSKayleigh Gray • Kelly Longmire-Crawford Closing the Feedback Loop with Inquisitive: Real-Time Insights for Engaging Science Classrooms Virtual for CPSLinda Rohaly • Catie Bales Exploring Augmented Reality in Science, with Merge Education Virtual for CPSSheri Omernik Getting to Know PebbleGo Virtual for CPSKori Kubitz Skyline Google Slide Decks and Google Classroom Add On! Googlify your Skyline Instruction Virtual for CPSKara Thorstenson • Alex Fishman The Power of Empathy: Design Thinking for Student Engagement and Success Virtual for CPSSree Sundaram, Ph. D. Cultivating Critical Thinkers: Enhancing High School History Classroom Instruction Virtual for CPSCynda Wood

10:00am CST

Quizizz AI and Accommodations Virtual for CPSAmber Doering • Felisa Ford Working Smarter, Not Harder: Introducing NotebookLM to CPS Virtual for CPSAnthony Reynoso • Giovanni Benincasa • Shruti Saxena Surfing The Web: Content Filtering And Today’s Security Threats Virtual for CPSAnthony Marsh • Marysia Mackenzie Apple: Macs Device Enrollment, Compliance & Jamf Pro Virtual for CPSMaria Tenemaza • Ian Holland Aspen Upgrade & Other Recent Enhancements Virtual for CPSAudrey Henry • Elisabet Ramirez Garcia • James Klososky How to Scaffold APUSH and AP Lang for Multilingual and Diverse Learners Virtual for CPSJennifer McDonnell • Sylvia Ibarra Delgado The Accessible Classroom: Simple Hacks to Design Educational Materials for All Virtual for CPSEric Santos UDL and Accessibility: Tips to Make Tech Work for All Learners Virtual for CPSBrian Krause Building eSports Labs with Intentionality Virtual for CPSJosh Whetherholt • Kendall Latham Transforming Classwork into Memorable Video Projects in Minutes w. Google Vids Virtual for CPSClement Townsend Unlocking the Power of Gemini in Google Classroom Virtual for CPSAndea Davis-Baptiste What's New With Google Classroom Virtual for CPSRaj Pandey • Kristi Krulcik Accessing and Assigning Audiobook Texts Through Safari Montage Virtual for CPSLynette Johnson • Andre Smith Empowering Classrooms with Newsela + Formative: Your Gateway to Engaging and Aligned Learning Virtual for CPSDanielle Rivera • Patrick Gaffney Introduction to Flocabulary Virtual for CPSRon Carroll Machine Learning and the Politics of Math Education Virtual for CPSDenise Long, Ph.D. Accessing And Integrating Virtual Library Resources In Skyline To Supplement Instruction And Actively Engage All Learners Virtual for CPSAnna Kim EVERFI 201: Getting the Most Out of No-Cost Resources Virtual for CPSJonathan Barnes Hear Me Out: Exploring Social Justice Through Student Storytelling and Podcasts Virtual for CPSAinna Flaminia Super-Self Institute: Revolutionizing Education with SEL, Technology, and Holistic Student Empowerment Virtual for CPSCornelius Mosby Transforming School Culture with LiveSchool: CPS Educators Share Their Success Stories Virtual for CPSLaura Litton • Soo Sup Cha

11:00am CST

Preparing Students for a World of AI Virtual for CPSJennifer Ehealt Talk Nerdy to Me: Taming Gen AI with Prompt Engineering Virtual for CPSSree Sundaram, Ph. D. Create a Chatbot for Your School Website Virtual for CPSTed Canji • Pat Dean Empowering Every Student: Free Assistive Tech Tools for the Classroom Virtual for CPSMadeline Minogue • Christa Lohman Understanding How Differentiated Technology Can Be Used To Differentiate Instruction! Virtual for CPSSabrina Wright • Dr. Winnie Williams-Hall Automating the Boring Stuff: Exploring Google Apps Script Virtual for CPSTyler Portis No More "Mid" Vids: Using Google's New Video Editor Virtual for CPSSean Eichenser What's New With Google Classroom Virtual for CPSRaj Pandey • Kristi Krulcik Basics of Creating with Nearpod Virtual for CPSRon Carroll Digitial Graphic Novels and Manga for Reluctant Readers Virtual for CPSSheri Omernik Ignite Curiosity with Teach Britannica Virtual for CPSChris Heintz • Hunter Dewey Literacy Connections Abound! TeachingBooks Resources and Tools for All! Virtual for CPSJade Valenzuela The Future of Reading: How Digital Reading Impacts Student Success Virtual for CPSTracy Waalkes • Connie Bowman Top EBSCO School Resources for Teachers and Students Virtual for CPSJames Jacobson Truth Detectives: Empowering Students with Checkology® Virtual for CPSBrittney Smith • Tracee Stanford Enhance Your enVision Classroom! Virtual for CPSKatie Winer Closing the Feedback Loop with Inquisitive: Real-Time Insights for Engaging Science Classrooms Virtual for CPSLinda Rohaly • Catie Bales Emerging Tech in the Classroom: NextWaveSTEM's 2025 Updates Virtual for CPSHope Thompson • Jai Ramakrishnan Skyline Google Slide Decks and Google Classroom Add On! Googlify your Skyline Instruction Virtual for CPSAlex Fishman • Kara Thorstenson Expanding Course Options and Supports for Secondary Students Virtual for CPSJohn Rocco Helping Students Obtain Foundational Work Experience Virtual for CPSScott Brewster • Jessica Jacobson

1:00pm CST

Wireless & AC Adapter-less Charging Devices Virtual for CPSJohn Fahey Inclusive, AI-powered Class Discussions with Parlay Virtual for CPSAnna Lisa Martin Wireless & AC Adapter-less Charging Devices Virtual for CPS Apple: Mobile Device Compliance & Jamf Tips Virtual for CPSMaria Tenemaza • Ian Holland Wildcat Reports: How Lake View Sends BAG Data Home Electronically (ASPEN) Virtual for CPSPaul Karafiol From Data to Insights: Using Lumio to Support Assessment and Student Growth Virtual for CPSMichelle Grinberg • Laura Barr Update your Schools Profile Using ODA Virtual for CPSTed Canji 3D Printing for a Better Tomorrow Virtual for CPSEric Santos From Ideas to Reality: Introduction to 3D Modeling and Printing with Tinkercad Virtual for CPSHavee Makedon How to Scaffold APUSH and AP Lang for Multilingual and Diverse Learners Virtual for CPSJennifer McDonnell • Sylvia Ibarra Delgado Microsoft Tools for Dyslexia and Learning Differences Virtual for CPSRobert Abraham Computer Science eSports in CPS Virtual for CPSRene Anaya • Joshua Butler Powering Student Success from Classroom to Career Through eSports Virtual for CPSJosh Whetherholt • Kendall Latham Chromebook Admin Tools Virtual for CPSTy Mulroy • Nana Jeun How A TechCo Can Manage Their Fleet With Google Sheets And CPS Data Virtual for CPSTrent Wennlund Navigating the AI Landscape: Building a Foundation for AI Literacy in CPS Virtual for CPSCasey Fuess • Karren Boatner • Lorne Rodgriuez • Alex Fishman Enhancing Academic Vocabulary And Comprehension: Use Word Up In Flocabulary To Support The Science Of Reading Virtual for CPSRon Carroll Getting to Know PebbleGo Virtual for CPSKori Kubitz The Future of Reading: How Digital Reading Impacts Student Success Virtual for CPSTracy Waalkes • Connie Bowman Truth Detectives: Empowering Students with Checkology® Virtual for CPSBrittney Smith • Tracee Stanford Emerging Tech in the Classroom: NextWaveSTEM's 2025 Updates Virtual for CPSHope Thompson • Jai Ramakrishnan Ignite Your Classroom with IL-Specific K-12 Curriculum and Teacher Tools from CodeHS Virtual for CPSDavid Kleinhans Accessing And Integrating Virtual Library Resources In Skyline To Supplement Instruction And Actively Engage All Learners Virtual for CPSAnna Kim EVERFI 201: Getting the Most out of No-Cost Virtual for CPSJonathan Barnes

2:00pm CST

How An AI Thought Partner Can Help You Build Better Class Discussions Virtual for CPSScott Topel Preparing Students for a World of AI Virtual for CPSJennifer Ehealt Unleash the Power of AI in Education with Gemini In the Classroom Virtual for CPSTammy Lind Surfing The Web: Content Filtering And Today’s Security Threats Virtual for CPSAnthony Marsh • Marysia Mackenzie "Tech-Techs" - How to Build a Student Tech Team in Your Classroom Virtual for CPSNick Giacobbe App-solutely Connected Virtual for CPSAlex Boehm • Gabbie Aiello Drones for Creativity and Computer Science Virtual for CPSEric Santos Empowering Every Student: Free Assistive Tech Tools for the Classroom Virtual for CPSMadeline Minogue • Christa Lohman No More "Mid" Vids: Using Google's New Video Editor Virtual for CPSSean Eichenser Working Smarter, Not Harder: Introducing NotebookLM to CPS Virtual for CPSCharlotte Cager • Giovanni Benincasa • Shruti Saxena Empowering Classrooms with Newsela + Formative: Your Gateway to Engaging and Aligned Learning Virtual for CPSDanielle Rivera • Patrick Gaffney Evidence of Learning in Nearpod Virtual for CPSRon Carroll Ignite Curiosity with Teach Britannica Virtual for CPSChris Heintz • Hunter Dewey Literacy Connections Abound! TeachingBooks Resources and Tools for All! Virtual for CPSJade Valenzuela Tear Down Reading Barriers with Bookshare Virtual for CPSLara Rondberg Helping Students Obtain Foundational Work Experience Virtual for CPSScott Brewster • Jessica Jacobson Transforming School Culture with LiveSchool: CPS Educators Share Their Success Stories Virtual for CPSLaura Litton • Soo Sup Cha Cultivating Critical Thinkers: Enhancing High School History Classroom Instruction Virtual for CPSCynda Wood