Educational Technology Summit
UpgradEd: The Future of Teaching and Learning
Unlocking Growth and Potential through Relevant, Adaptive Education
Thursday, November 12, 2026
9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
UpgradEd, the 2026 educational technology summit hosted by the University of North Georgia’s College of Education and Institute for Cyber Operations in collaboration with the Lumpkin and Dawson County School Districts, provides an opportunity for district-wide technology specialists, school-based technology specialists, and P-20 educators to experience innovative and engaging technology applied to teaching and learning.
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2026 Conference Information
Our 2026 Educational Technology Summit Speakers
Bryan Cox, Ph. D.
Sr. Program Manager and Kapor Center Fellow, Constellations Center for Education in Computing, Georgia Tech University
Dr. Anna Brown
Program Director for the Â鶹ÊÓƵ TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership
Pam MacDonald
Research Scientist, Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education (CCRE), The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Joules Webb
K12 Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and AI Education Consultant
Bryson Payne, Ph. D.
Director, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Institute for Cyber Operations
Amie Cumming, Ed. S.
MagicSchool AI Senior Account Executive
Dr. Sally Creel
Innovate Learning Educational Consultant
Dr. James Badger
Â鶹ÊÓƵ College of Education Professor
Bebita Metellus
Program Manager, TAG Education Collaborative
Dr. Grady Flanaghan
Lumpkin County School District Teacher
Presentation titles and session descriptions are being finalized and will be added as speakers confirm their selections. Check back regularly for updates.
Morning General Sessions
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Bryan Cox, Ph. D.
Keynote (Presentation Title Coming Soon)
9:50 – 10:35 a.m. Dr. Anna Brown
“Who Gets the Last Word? A Practical Ethics Lab for AI in Schools”
10:40 – 11:25 a.m. Jen Marden
RING AI and Cyber Curriculum
11:30 AM - 12:15 p.m. Joules Webb
Prompt Engineering (Presentation Title Coming Soon)
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Lunch & Networking
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Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Session Block 1 | 1:20 - 1:50 p.m.
Bryson Payne, Ph. D.
Cybersecurity (Presentation Title Coming Soon)
Amie Cumming
MagicSchool AI
Sally Creel
America Makes Workshop (3D Printing Demonstration)
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Session Block 2 | 1:55 - 2:25 p.m.
Dr. James Badger
“Preparing Students for the Growing Influence of AI and Social Media Through Digital Literacy”
Bebita Metellus
(Presentation Title Coming Soon)
Sally Creel
America Makes Workshop (3D Printing Demonstration)
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Session Block 3 | 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Dr. Grady Flanaghan
“Beyond Fatigue: Creating an Intentional Integration of Technology”
Joules Webb
(Presentation Title Coming Soon)
Sally Creel
America Makes Workshop (3D Printing Demonstration)
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3:00 p.m.
Closing
- Lumpkin County School District
- Dawson County School District
- MagicSchool
- TAG-Ed
- Innovative Learning