Academic Innovation Conference 2026

Academic Innovation Conference 2026

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

6:00pm EDT

Biltmore Estates: Conference Launch Party Sponsored by CoolSpeak Biltmore Village

8:00am EDT

Conference Opening Breakfast & Keynote Experience Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterCarlos Ojeda, Jr. • Doug Thompson • Rachel Nave-Lewis

9:00am EDT

The GEAR UP Luminary Showcase Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterDoug Thompson • Rachel Nave-Lewis • Corinne Smith • Kelly Sparks

10:05am EDT

The Luminary Showcase Extension: Innovation Exchange Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterRachel Nave-Lewis • Corinne Smith • Kelly Sparks • Doug Thompson

11:15am EDT

Lunch & Connection Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterRachel Nave-Lewis

12:00pm EDT

Educator Workshop with Carlos Ojeda Jr.Carlos Ojeda, Jr.

GEAR UP 2.0 AIM Grant PITCH Competition

GEAR UP 3.0 APEX AIM Grant PITCH Competition

Innovator of the Year Workshop with Top School Speakers

Principal Pathways & Mentorship

The Empowering Teacher Learning Project Framework: Changing the Landscape of Professional Development in Western North CarolinaJanet Johnson • Sherry Paddie

The Kelly Holleman Media Specialist AIM Grant PITCH Competition

Vendor Hall Experience

1:30pm EDT

Partner and Vendor Showcase: Explore, Engage, Experience Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center

2:15pm EDT

Afternoon Snack Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center

2:30pm EDT

Innovator of the Year Recognition & Award Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterCarlos Ojeda, Jr. • Rachel Nave-Lewis • Corinne Smith

3:30pm EDT

Day One Closing: Carry the Story Forward Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterRachel Nave-Lewis

6:00pm EDT

Program Cohort Dinner & Ticket Events Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center

8:00am EDT

Day Two Conference Opening Breakfast & Keynote Experience Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterRachel Nave-Lewis

9:00am EDT

Code the High Seas: Sphero Pirates Set Sail Sycamore Room 109Jessica Esposito

Designing for Continuity: Remote Instructional Strategies Elm Room 211 BTyrel Winebarger • Jessie Peterson

Don't Lose the Plot: Centering Human Skills in the Age of AI Elm Room 202 BAmanda Bikowski • Caroline Baker

Incorporating Exercise in Computer Science: A Cross-Curricular Collaboration Elm Room 202 AJoe Gragg

Next Gen Educators Sycamore Room 108Christy Arrowood • Donna Duncan

Nontraditional Nonfiction Sycamore Room 107Wes Calbreath

Release the (Learning) Kraken! Summoning Student Engagement from the Depths of Distraction Elm Room 134 AKatie Anderson

Tough Love- How to Manage Behavior While Building Relationships Elm Room 134 BErin Leatherman

Work Smarter, Not Harder: AI Systems That Support Teachers Sycamore Room 106Heather Payne Herron

STEM on the Go Elm Room 234Jennifer Blake • Sandra Gunter • Tosha Ramsey • Katie McFarland

In Our Own Words: The High School Students' Perspective on Education Ferguson AuditoriumTaylor Rae Dodge

10:10am EDT

Beyond Inclusion: Practicing Cultural Responsibility in the Classroom Elm Room 202 BNo-La Pina (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) • Chapman Herlihy

Building Leaders, Teams, and Organizations Amplified by Humanity in the Age of AI Elm Room 202 ABryan Setser

Empty Bowls: Hunger, Art, and Humanity Elm Room 222April Dula • Larkin Ingle

Finding Strength Despite Challanges: A High School Story of Resillance Elm Room 134 ASusie Bryson

From Moo to You: Exploring Agriculture, Technology, and Careers through STEAM Sycamore Room 109Jessica Esposito

Learning Without Limits: Building Self-Directed Learners Elm Room 211 BTyrel Winebarger • Jessie Peterson

Outdoor Learning Classroom Sycamore Room 108Nikki Eason

Tapestry of Belonging 2.0 Sycamore Room 107Brittany Brady • Yolanda Adams

The Power of Mattering: Building the Foundation for Teacher Growth Elm Room 134 BKatie Matthews • Dr. Caroline Beam

The Power of Our Stories: Building Staff Morale and Community Through Identity, Recognition, and Storytelling Sycamore Room 106Heather Payne Herron

Becoming a Creative Engineer: Data-Driven STEM Lessons Powered by AI Elm Room 234Vickie Bryan

In Our Own Words: Middle School Students' Perspective on Education Ferguson AuditoriumTaylor Rae Dodge

11:15am EDT

Midday Experience: Engage, Reflect, Connect, Refresh Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterDoug Thompson • Rachel Nave-Lewis

12:45pm EDT

Vendor Playground & Panels Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center

Publishing Student Stories

Exploring Mars Caves: A NASA‑Funded STEM Journey Into Human Habitation on the Red PlanetTimothy DeLisle

1:35pm EDT

"I Don't Know" is not a Get Out of Jail Free Card: Increasing Student Participation Elm Room 211 BKatie Anderson

Creating Innovators: How Principals and Teachers Build a Shared Vision for Engaged, High-Impact Learning Elm Room 134 BDr. Barbara Zwadyk • Dr. Kim Morrison

Empowering Changemakers: The Global Leaders Teacher Fellowship Elm Room 202 BCaroline Baker • Amanda Bikowski

From Confusion to Clarity: Making Learning Visible for Every Student Sycamore Room 106Heather Payne Herron

From Holler to Higher Education: A Personal Testimony about the Impact of TRiO Programs Elm Room 222Taylor Rae Dodge

Immersion Days: A Transition from Test Prep to Active Learning Sycamore Room 107Tiffany Clapsaddle • Brittany Brady

Leaders in Bloom: Cultivating Change by Nourishing the Roots Sycamore Room 109Brittany Perry • Autumn Chamberlain

Promoting Student Research with the Western North Carolina Research Fellows Program Elm Room 134 AChristy Arrowood • Allyson McFalls

READY, SET, LIFE! How to prepare your students for life beyond high school. Elm Room 202 AHope Gambill • Susie Bryson

STEM Bridges: Building Academic Vocabulary Through Visual Learning and Family Engagement Sycamore Room 108Kathy Evans • Tonya Denny

Transforming Math in the Middle Elm Room 234Math2Connect

2:45pm EDT

Afternoon Snack Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center

3:00pm EDT

Conference Convening: Stories Carried Forward Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterRachel Nave-Lewis

Academic Innovation Conference 2026

Register to attend