Session Description: While today’s workplace is full of undeniable talent in technology (which is especially important), there is a set of skills that can propel students far beyond the “just getting hired” rung on the success ladder. What are the skills that will make your students unforgettable when it comes to job/scholarship interviews, promotion opportunities, workplace communications, and networking events? Is there a tool available that can prove to the work world that your students have an unforgettable edge? Come to this hands-on workshop and be ready to immerse yourself into the world of Communication Skills for Business. It will be unforgettable!

Speaker Bio: Jennifer Stubblefield taught Business Education in KY for 27 years where she created and managed an award-winning certification classroom in the areas of MOS, ESB, & CSB. She is currently serving as the President of the Kentucky Business Education Association and is a mentor coach for new Business teachers in KY. In 2019, Jennifer was named the Certiport Educator of the Year and was awarded the 2018 Southern Business Education Teacher of the Year. She is a frequent speaker at conferences around the US and is known for her energetic and real-life approach to teaching. In 2021, Jennifer officially became part of the Certiport team where she now serves as the Customer Success Manager.

For K-12 and HED Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: When you think of Adobe Creative Cloud (CC), you probably think of Photoshop and Illustrator. But did you know that you also get access to 3D, AR, and UI/UX software as part of your subscription? Did you know that Adobe Creative Cloud gives you access to portfolio software and licensed fonts? And did you know that there are other Adobe products you can integrate into Creative Cloud—like Capture and other free software—that don’t require a CC subscription at all? Join Adobe Education Leader Erica Blum’s workshop to explore and play with some of the benefits and capabilities of Adobe Creative Cloud that you never knew existed.

Speaker Bio: Erica Blum is the program coordinator and an associate professor for the art and design degree at Lindenwood University. She is an Adobe Education Leader and an Adobe Creative Educator Level 1. She has obtained many certifications, including the Adobe Certified Associate in Graphic Design and Illustration Using Adobe Illustrator, the ACA in Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop, the Adobe Certified Professional in Print and Digital Publication Using Adobe InDesign, and the Adobe Visual Design Specialist CC 2018. Professor Blum was honored to speak during the Adobe Certified Professional launch party in 2021. In addition, she is a member of the Adobe Education Exchange and has over 13 years of teaching and training in graphics, web and design concepts, printing techniques, and software applications. She has designed websites, newsletters, logos, T-shirts, brochures, cards, and more. Her artwork has been displayed in numerous art shows and has been presented at several summits and workshops. Professor Blum spent a year studying at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art (now known as the Kubert School) working on her comic book skills. Before becoming a designer, she was an Equity stage manager in and around New York City, a database administrator, an IT worker, and a camera/teleprompter/stage manager for tv and movies.

For K-12 and Higher Education Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: Are you looking for an engaging, immersive, and fun way to teach your students to code? Have you always wanted to use game-based learning as a teaching tool but didn’t feel you had enough gaming experience? With Coding in Minecraft by Prodigy Learning, you can—without being a gaming or coding expert! In this session, trainer and educator Jennifer Brown will show you how Coding in Minecraft creates a student-led, highly engaging learning experience where the teacher becomes the facilitator, and the students lead their own experience as they learn to learn how to code in Blocks, JavaScript, or Python. Don’t miss this chance to see how Coding in Minecraft’s immersive curriculum and credential pathway can provide all the resources you need to teach your students how to code—and make the whole experience fun and engaging.

Speaker Bio: Jennifer Brown has 18 years’ experience as both an educator and a trainer. She is a Global Minecraft Mentor, Microsoft Master Trainer, and Minecraft Certified trainer, and she has trained hundreds of teachers on game-based learning through Minecraft: Education Edition. As a former computer science and CTE teacher, Jennifer is dedicated to the ideal that all students should have access to computer science courses. As the product specialist for Coding in Minecraft, Jennifer continues this dedication by training teachers how they can bring computer science to their students through the engaging, game-based curriculum of Coding in Minecraft.

For K-12 Teachers

Session Description: Why are accounting and bookkeeping the latest and greatest professions to get your students interested in? Right now, in the U.S., there are hundreds of high-demand, high-wage positions available and not enough trained professionals. Join this session to learn and discuss how to utilize Intuit Certified Bookkeeping Professional along with online training can prepare your students for this tremendous certification. You’ll leave with handouts, activity ideas, and a greater understanding of how to incorporate Inuit certifications into your class.

Speaker Bio: Lenice DeLuca currently works as an instructor at Immokalee Technical College in Southwest Florida, where she teaches courses in accounting operations and global logistics and supply chain technology. Previously, she spent nine years as a middle school teacher at Collier County Public Schools. Throughout her career, Lenice has developed a passion for career and technical education, and she is committed to helping her students gain the skills they need to succeed and thrive in our technology-driven world. Lenice has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA and MA in international business.

For K-12 Teachers

Session Description: Every teacher knows that students learn best when they are fully engaged and enjoying their experience. In this session, veteran high school teacher Amy Waters will explore active, project-focused learning techniques and activities you can use to prepare students for their Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification. This includes demonstrations of several active projects that use Word, PowerPoint, and Excel to create uniquely enjoyable and engaging learning experiences for all students. You’ll also learn how these projects can offer students choice and extension opportunities to cover a diverse range of abilities and interests.

Speaker Bio: Amy Waters is a 34-year veteran classroom teacher who currently works at Hahnville High School in Boutte, Louisiana. Throughout her career, she has proven her nerd force bona-fides by teaching diverse subjects from Latin to computer programming. Amy is passionate about constantly creating, adapting, and improving lessons to reach all students. She currently teaches classes in business computer applications; Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator; and HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Programming.

For K-12 Teachers

Session Description: In today's industry culture, skilled worker shortages are strongly impacting the economy, and the demand for competent, well-trained workers has never been higher. As a result, businesses are looking for forward-thinking strategies that will help them meet their labor shortages, and they have begun using work-based learning opportunities to develop their future workers. In this session, Utah State University assistant professor Zak Konakis will explore how getting buy-in for specific credentials from industry partners on the front end can help your students remove the guesswork and prove their knowledge, skills, and abilities when they enter the workforce. This includes best practices for approaching and working with industry partners to assess their needs—and then successfully placing qualified students in those high-demand and high-wage jobs.

Speaker Bios: Zak Konakis is an assistant professor at Utah State University, where his focus on work-based learning opportunities and the “earn while you learn” model has benefitted both students and the community. As a Pathways coordinator, Zak has also helped bridge the gap between secondary and post-secondary education with programs and activities that help connect education to relevant industry experience.

Higher Education Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: Creating opportunities for students to gain tangible and transferable career-ready skill sets at all grade levels is the goal of the various Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The objective is to encourage students to become Lifelong Learners and enrich their professional and personal development. Albert Einstein once said, "Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The most valuable asset you'll ever have is your mind and what you put into it." A common challenge in achieving the Lifelong Learning goal is aligning partnerships and resources to provide substantial CTE options for students from Elementary schools to careers. In this session, Broward County Public School’s Career and Technical Education Curriculum Supervisor Serge Treyger will share valuable insight for creating and expanding CTE pathways from Elementary Schools to Post-Secondary opportunities that encourage Lifelong Learning. Serge will discuss the initiative programs Broward County Public School’s Career and Technical Education department has introduced within the Elementary, Middle, and High Schools which develop career-ready skills through certifications, curriculum partnerships, internships, and dual-enrollment programs.

Speaker Bio: Serge Treyger graduated from Florida Atlantic University in South Florida with a BA in Social Science Education. In 2015, Serge completed his MS in Educational Technology at Florida Atlantic University. Serge taught various career-themed, computer language, and history courses for 7 years at Margate Middle School before joining the Career, Technical, Adult, and Community Education (CTACE) Department as a Curriculum Facilitator in 2018. In 2022, Serge was promoted to Curriculum Supervisor in his department, overseeing all Middle School, Computer Science, and Digital Media programs. Serge has worked to support teachers in various CTE programs, focusing on Industry Certification expansion and teacher training.

For K-12 Teachers and Administrators

Session Description: Certification programs have the power to change lives and create new opportunities for deserving people who need them most. Join this session to hear how Brian Foutty—a long-time secondary math, app development and coding, and special education teacher at Trumbull Career and Technical Center in Warren, Ohio—has used Swift App Development and Adobe certifications to transform student outcomes in an economically challenged area. Brian will describe how helping students earn these attractive and marketable certifications has enabled them to successfully enter the workforce, complete university computer science programs, or both.

Speaker Bio: Brian Foutty brings 28 years of classroom teaching experience to his current job as a secondary math, app development and coding, and special education teacher at Trumbull Career and Technical Center in Warren, Ohio. He has also worked for the past seven years as a Mac and iPad systems administrator and a classroom technology integrator for the students and staff at Turnbull. Brian has been an active iOS app developer since 2011, and he worked for three years as an Apple Professional Learning Specialist. Brian firmly believes that all students can benefit and become better thinkers through formal coding learning experiences.

For K-12 and Higher Education Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: Are you looking for fresh, innovative ideas for using certifications to help your students and improve your school? This session is full of them. Join computer applications and computer science instructor Karen Coulombe to explore ways you can use certifications to meet a wider range of student needs, celebrate students’ learning and achievements, promote your certification programs, and more. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the impact certifications can have on your students’ lives—and how you can squeeze even more value from the certification programs in your school.

Speaker Bio: Karen Coulombe teaches both computer applications and computer science to high school freshmen in Lake Stevens, Washington. She is also a proud robotics advisor for the largest VRC Robotics team in the state. Karen strongly believes that career and technical education must be relevant, interesting, and focused on giving students the skills and habits they will need to succeed in the workplace. Before becoming a teacher, Karen worked for more than a decade as a licensed avionics technician and airframe and powerplant mechanic for the U.S. Air Force, DynCorp Aerospace, and the Boeing Company. She was also selected for special assignments involving Air Force One & the B2 stealth bomber. Throughout her career, Karen has been a passionate believer in continuing education. She has participated in the U.S. Naval Academy’s SET SAIL, Certiport’s CERTIFIED Educators Conference, STEM Guitars, Space Camp for Educators, the Washington Alliance for Better Schools STEM Externship, and multiple nanotechnology conferences. Karen also serves on the teacher advisory board for the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle and as a member of two technical advisory committees.

For K-12 Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: According to research from JP Morgan Chase & Company, more than 99 percent of America’s 28.7 million firms are small businesses, and more than 88 percent of those firms have fewer than 20 employees. In this small business dominated environment, you can’t prepare your students to be effective employees unless you also prepare them to be entrepreneurs. In this session, Florida educator and CERTIFIED Ambassador Christina Deibler, will explore proven techniques and approaches for doing that. You’ll leave this session with new ideas for teaching and promoting entrepreneurship and design thinking skills in your classroom.

Speaker Bio: Christina Deibler teaches entrepreneurship and small business, project management, and web design at her alma mater, Wakulla High School in Crawfordville, Florida. Previously, she graduated from Florida State University with a degree in business management and worked as a business and human resource professional. She recently chose to change her path and become a teacher. Today, she uses her background and experience in business management, operations, and project management to help empower her students to reach their goals and forge successful paths through life.

For K-12 and Higher Education Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: One of the most important, rewarding roles educators can play involves helping young people discover, embrace, and turn their untapped potential into new opportunities and happy, productive lives. In this session, Tracy Sigers—the IT department chair for NCUS TEC Career College in Columbus, Ohio—will explore approaches and ideas for engaging young people within communities, showing them the benefits of certification, and helping them earn the industry credentials they need to unlock new opportunities. This includes leading discussions on how certifications can help mobilize people to move beyond minimum wage jobs and advance their careers and how her organization uses post-certification workforce development to create crucial bridges with employers like Amazon, Google, and Facebook. Tracy will also explore ways to extend certification career opportunities to certificate earners’ family members and how certification training can impact communities now and for generations to come.

Speaker Bio: Tracey Sigers hails from the great state of Ohio where she currently serves as the IT Department Chair for NCUS TEC Career College. Tracey holds several degrees and certifications, including an MBA and a master’s degree in technology leadership from Franklin University. She is also a published author, motivational speaker, certified professional life coach, former Ms. Black Ohio, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Her company Born to Speak, LLC brings motivational meters to people all over the world and lives by the motto, “Changing lives, one vocal cord at a time.”

For Higher Education Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: How do you bridge the gap between abstract knowledge and the real-world task- and project-based skills your students need to succeed in their careers? In this session, science, STEM, and engineering teacher John Beale will explore the answers—by introducing you to hands-on projects that incorporate AutoCAD, Inventor, or Revit skills and knowledge. This includes four independent quarter-long activities and three quarter-long activities that link into one overarching capstone project. The projects John will present are aimed primarily at grades 9-12, but they could also be adapted for grades 7-8 with more intensive instructor support.

Speaker Bio: John Beale has been in the classroom for six years teaching science, STEM, and engineering at Nease High School in St. Augustine, Florida. Over the course of his teaching career, he has also created curriculum for a 7-8 grade marine science STEM program and a grade 11 level computer integrated manufacturing class. Before beginning his high school teaching career, John worked for more than a decade directing experiential learning in museums around Florida for people of all ages.

For K-12 and HED Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: Balance is a valuable lesson for any student. In this session, Valencia College instructor Jenny Mohess will explore the value and importance of using rigor and soft skills together to create better application outcomes. This includes a discussion on the importance of understanding and respecting the “whole student" as teachers engage with their students. Jenny will also examine popular methods, old and new, and show how they differ based on the learning styles of students across all subjects and disciplines as they work to complete their certifications.

Speaker Bio: Jenny Mohess has worked as an instructor at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida for nearly fifteen years, where she also mentors future graphic and web designers through the Valencia Graphics Program. In addition to her work at Valencia, Jenny has worked as a graphic designer at Apple, Inc., Microsoft, and her own design studio. Originally from Trinidad & Tobago, Jenny first came to the United States as an international student in 2000 and earned her associate degree in graphic design from Valencia College. Since then, she has also earned a bachelor’s degree in business from USF and a master’s degree in art education from Boston University. Jenny strongly believes in certifications as a way to open doors and create opportunities for her students.

For K-12 and HED Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: The demand for project management skills continues to rise at an unprecedented rate, which is creating exciting new career pathways and opportunities for well-trained project management practitioners. Join this session to hear business education teacher and the 2022 CERTIFIED Educator of the Year Carol York discuss how she is using the PMI Project Management Ready certification to help her students immerse themselves in the field, develop and PROVE their skills, and develop the connections that will lead to success in school and in the job market. Carol will also share ideas and approaches for adding project management to your existing certification program or creating a standalone course that aligns with the materials from Certiport’s “learn, practice, certify, advance” model and incorporates Certiport’s recently updated PMR courseware, practice tests, and certification exams.

Speaker Bio: After a successful business career, Carol York has worked as a business education teacher at Cary High School in Cary, North Carolina for 13 years, including 9 years as a project management teacher. She has served on North Carolina’s state curriculum development team for project management one and two, and she has earned her MOS Expert, PMR, and National Board Teacher certifications. She is a current CERTIFIED Ambassador and the 2022 CERTIFED Educator of the Year.

For K-12 and HED Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: Certiport and Cisco are excited to announce two new entry-level certification opportunities for your students! These certifications are designed to provide students with the opportunity to validate their skills and differentiate themselves from other applicants for entry-level IT positions. In this session, Cisco Networking Academy curriculum instructor Patti West will present an overview of these new certifications, as well as the free educational resources available to prepare your students to enter the IT workforce. She will also demonstrate the interactive online course materials and the Packet Tracer network simulation product, a virtual network that makes it easy for students to practice their new skills any time, from any location. Finally, this session will include an overview of the roadmap that enables students to progress toward higher-level Cisco certifications.

Speaker Bio: Patti West is currently a Cisco Networking Academy curriculum instructor at two Florida colleges, as well as a collaborator and author of materials on the Cisco Skills for All learning platform. Previously, she worked for more than 20 years as the network and telecommunications manager for a large multi-campus college. In that position, she hired and supervised many entry-level network and security technicians. When time allows, Patti can usually be found in her woodshop working on her next furniture project.

For K-12 and HED Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: Are you new to certifying your students? This session is for you. Join veteran teacher and certification expert Scott Rolando as he shares practical tips and step-by-step suggestions for launching a successful certification program at your school. This includes insights and ideas for getting your program going, aligning specific certifications with your current classes, getting funding, scheduling certifications into your existing programs, and more.

Speaker Bios: Scott Rolando has been a full-time teacher for 22 years, and he has taught CTE classes for the past five years. Scott currently teaches an impressively diverse range of courses at Lakeland High School in White Lake, Michigan, including business, management, technology 1 and 2, sports and entertainment marketing, cybersecurity, web design, and basic and advanced video production.

For K-12 administrators and teachers

Session Description: Variables, arguments, parameters, and syntax, oh my! In this session, high school teacher Ashley Faulkner will demonstrate how she integrates Gmetrix, CertPrep Practice Tests Powered by Gmetrix, and LearnKey into a unified Python curriculum that is designed to prepare students for their Information Technology Specialist Python exam—and how you can use this same curriculum to help your students succeed. Ashley will also share insights on integrating My Pathway, provide tips for helping your students explore specific career options based on the certification's pathways, offer suggestions for providing increased validation for earning certifications, and outline ideas for unlocking new levels of success through the certification process.

Speaker Bio: Ashley Faulkner is a teacher at Triton High School in North Carolina, where she is a strong certification advocate. Over the past 11 years, Ashley has earned more than 40 certifications—and helped her students earn more than 1,150 individual certifications. She has also served as an FBLA adviser and as the North Carolina Southeast Region advisor. Outside her teaching career, Ashley is the chief financial officer for Simple Web Solutions, Inc., EM Audio, Inc., and Butler Faulkner Enterprise, and she is the mother of two active children.

For K-12 and HED administrators and teachers

Session Description: 3D modeling and virtual and augmented reality are fast-growing, cutting-edge disciplines that can open promising new doors for your students. In this session, game design teacher David Manning will show how the Unity Programmer, Unity Artist, and Unity VR certification programs can create exciting new career options for your students—and how you can help prepare test candidates for those exams. David will also explore what you will need to start a program teaching Unity, what obstacles you may need to be overcome, and what resources are available for teachers to help their students succeed. Finally, David will discuss ways to increase student engagement with the content.

Speaker Bio: David Manning has an extensive background as a game design teacher. He ran the Game & Sim Academy at University High School in Orange City, Florida for 8 years and served as the program assistant for Game & Sim for Volusia County Schools. He has also served as a fellow with the North American Scholastic Esports Federation, and he has created curriculum used by Game & Sim teachers around the world.

For K-12 and HED administrators and teachers

Session Description: Certiport’s student competitions bring technology certifications to life for your students, provide them with a positive platform to showcase their skills, and give them a unique opportunity to earn valuable rewards and recognition. In this session, Patty and Dominique will outline everything you need to know about the annual Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and Adobe Certified Professional student competitions. You’ll learn who can participate, how you can encourage your students to get involved, what they’ll experience, and how you can help them make the most of these fun and educational events

Speaker Bio: Patty Eckelman is a Business Instructor at Auburn Mountainview High School for the Auburn School District #408 in Washington state. Originally raised in Montana, Patty took her first teaching position after college in the Pacific Northwest. She’s been teaching for 32 years, working in four different schools, and has been working with the Microsoft Office Specialist certification program since 2001. Patty has been taking students to the Microsoft Office Specialist US Nationals competitions since 2016. Patty has also taken two students to compete in Microsoft Office Specialist World Competition in 2018 and 2021.

Patty’s passion is Career and Technology Education, helping prepare students for school-to-work and college-to-career futures. Auburn Mountainview High School is one of the top schools in Washington state for industry certification volume, reflecting Patty’s students’ enthusiasm and perseverance. Patty believes that the MOS industry certifications are outstanding personal and career opportunities for students.

Patty has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana and a master’s degree from City University. She was awarded High School Teacher of the Year for the Auburn School District in 2017. When she’s not in the classroom, Patty is spending time with her two boys (ages 22 and 18), traveling, hiking, spending time with my family, or sewing.

Dominique Delbar is the Event Marketing Manager at Certiport where she works with a team to plan, market, and execute CERTIFIED Educators Conference and Certiport’s student competitions, including the U.S. National Championship and the World Championship. Dominque graduated from Southern Utah University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in Communication. During her time at university, Dominique was an active member of her community and served as a student ambassador, inspiring high school students to pursue their dreams and helping them prepare for college. She also served as the marketing director for the student association, using her creative flair to promote student events and initiatives. She has received several awards and recognitions for her innovative marketing and drive to serve communities.

For K-12 and HED administrators and teachers

Session Description: Helping Educators maximize certification offerings is critical to improving student outcomes. In this session, we will provide a general landscape of what’s new at Certiport including topics such as: the evolution of Microsoft Office Specialist, IT Specialist, Cisco, and other certification and technology updates. We will also highlight My Pathway and share the latest job trends and certification roadmaps that help Educators and Students advance their academic and professional success through validated skills. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the latest Certiport news and updates that will undoubtedly increase student interest and certification success

For K-12 and HED administrators and teachers

Session Description: With GREAT energy comes GREAT engagement! Join this session to learn how you can discover all the superpowers of all the superheroes in your classroom. Abner Soto will explore the process the Latin American Youth Center Career Academy (LAYCCA) uses to engage students from diverse backgrounds in the IT certification pathway to prepare them for college and successful careers. You’ll learn how LAYCCA—a tuition-free adult charter school serving District of Columbia students from 16 to 24 years old and other community members—prepares students through 15 IT industry training recognized certifications and about 25 certification exams. Abner will also share practices he has used to create high expectations that lead to classroom success and explore effective management, communication, graphic design, and storytelling tools educators can use to improve performance in their classrooms.

Speaker Bio: Abner Soto is a teacher in Washington, D.C., a fan of all things Costa Rican, and an enthusiastic soccer player. He currently works at the Latin American Youth Center Career Academy, where he enjoys working with people and giving back to the community by helping his students earn a wide variety of certifications--including Microsoft Office Specialist, Microsoft Technology Associate, IC3, and CompTIA. In recent years, Abner has had students place in the U.S. Microsoft Office Specialist National Championship. He was the 2021 CERTIFIED Educator of the Year, and he currently serves as a CERTIFIED Ambassador.

For K-12 and HED administrators and teachers

Session Description: Learn how to incorporate a certification program into your classroom from Certiport’s highly experienced Statewide Deployment Team. We will discuss blending certification objectives into your class standards, effective pacing, and course sequence, managing technology requirements, and marketing your program to increase enrollment and develop internships. The Statewide Team has worked with teachers, administrators, IT Staff, and DOE Staff in over 22 states to effectively incorporate certification programs into more than 3,000 K12 and Higher Education classrooms. Join them during this interactive discussion to learn best practices from their experiences and a Q&A session from educators that own and develop the most successful certification programs in the country.

Speaker Bio: Kathy Schmidt is a 10-year veteran CTE teacher with 25 years of experience in business. using Microsoft Office products. Kathy knows the importance of certification! Her work in the classroom has earned her many industry commendations and award-winning students! Her passion of mission is displayed daily in the enthusiasm she brings to her job, whether working with adults or youth. Kathy will be the first to tell, in her evangelistic manner, that certification matters! But above all else she will share with you and make you a believer that certification is for EVERYONE, and Microsoft certification is the tool for success! Kathy has been married to her high school sweetheart, John, for 36 years and has 3 children and 9 amazing grandchildren.

Mike Maddock is the Vice President for Large/Strategic Accounts for The Americas at Certiport. He has been with Certiport for 12 years and has been recognized as Certiport’s Salesperson of the Year and a President’s Club recipient in several roles and capacities at Certiport. In just over 3 years, Mike has overseen 23 statewide adoptions of Certiport’s Industry Recognized Certification Programs in the United States.

Jason Majors, Certiport’s Deployment Manager, works with teachers to implement industry certifications into their current classes and teach them best practices for preparing students for certification. He has shared his extensive knowledge and experience with industry certifications in more than 21 states at in-person training events. Jason has five years of classroom experience preparing students for Adobe Certified Associate and Microsoft Office Specialist certifications while being the lead instructor for the Digital Design Academy at Escambia High School. While teaching, he was also the lead trainer 47 for the Microsoft Imagine Academy and traveled around the United States conducting training events and presenting at state and national conferences including FETC and TCEA.

For K-12 and HED Teachers and Administrators

Session Description: In this session, we will share successful modern practices of Compass integration in small and large school districts. We will demonstrate modern day strategies, to share with your IT department, to maximize efficiency with Compass deployments and delivery of exams. A “Q&A” session will follow to assist with those who are seeking additional IT guidance.

For K-12 and HED Administrators and Teachers

Session Description: Attend this session and explore how the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto creates real-world experiences for students as they work to earn certifications. Discover how their multi-function laboratory integrates theory and practice by providing a focal point for research and training in a range of financial disciplines, including investment strategy and portfolio management, financial engineering, and risk management, analyses of the microstructure of markets and trading, as well as other financial decision-making disciplines, including Microsoft Excel and Word, Python, SQL, Matlab, and data management-related topics. Explore the lab environment enables the student to be curious, investigate, experiment, and learn by doing and discover how to implement it into your institution.

Speaker Bio: Bachir Chehab is the Associate Director of the BMO Financial Group Finance Research and Trading Lab at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto (UofT). Bachir is an expert who is passionate about higher education, technology, business operations, and data management. He leads teams through digital transformation, process improvement, and change. With 20 + years of experience in both the private and public sectors, he has played a pivotal role in guiding organizations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa to achieve their goals through the implementation of industry-leading practices, standards, frameworks, and technology. He holds a Master of Information Technology Management, Bachelor of Management Information Systems, certified in Data Science (IBM), ITIL, ISO27001, Risk Management (UofT), as well as Coaching (ACC), Agile Leadership (CAL I), and Change Management (Prosci). Analytical, strategic, and inspired by real-world challenges, he builds solutions through partnership, collaboration, and trust.

For K-12 and HED administrators and teachers