MiniCon 2024

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we want you

to use tech

Join us on February 19, 2024 at Van High School to experience the latest in innovative learning practices while celebrating where we've come in our journey as educators!

out of district

registration

VISD Registration

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY

As educators, we are always looking for innovative ways to integrate technology into our classrooms, and MiniCon is the perfect opportunity for us to learn from some remarkable ed-tech presenters.

We wanted to offer a professional development product that was fun for us to plan and fun for educators to be a part of as well. Educational technology should be fun and engaging for our students, and thus, we wanted it to be for our teachers as well.

We hope that you learn something new and that you take what you learn and pass it along to your fellow educators and more importantly, your students.

Jason Johnson

Director of Technology Services

Schedule & Session Information

SCHEDULE

SESSION INFO

MiniCon 2024 Presenters

Janet Corder

Janet is an educational technology consultant with experience as a classroom teacher, instructional technology coordinator and adjunct professor. Her passion for assisting educators learn new strategies for successfully integrating technology into their curriculum has provided her with many opportunities to present at national, state and local conferences and in school districts throughout the United States. She has co-authored four books on technology integration and professional development. Janet's served in various positions for the TCEA Board of Directors and was awarded ISTE’s Making It Happen award given to leaders in educational technology.

Jesús Sánchez Hernandez

Jesús commenced his teaching journey at a private elementary school in Almería, Spain, where he engaged with a diverse array of subjects.

After dedicating four years to this institution, he embarked on a new chapter in Texas. He taught for five years as a bilingual teacher at Griffin Elementary within the Tyler Independent School District. At Griffin Elementary, he had the opportunity to teach Computer Science K-5 for three years.

During his time in the United States, he actively participated in professional development, presenting on various Edtech topics some events hosted by Tyler ISD, TCCA, and TCEA.

Upon returning to Spain, he transitioned to a role as an English teacher and IT coach at a language school. Recently, he has taken on a new and exciting role within the Community team at Edpuzzle, where he continues to leverage his passion for education and technology.

MiniCon 2024 Van ISD Presenters

Mandy Rolison

VHS English Teacher

Dawn Monzon

ESL Coordinator

Abby Doring

VISD Communications

Susan Lay

Literacy Consultant

Kalen Hansen

Network Administrator

Joanna Stewart

J.E. Rhodes A/P

Angie Reed

VHS English Teacher

Vicky Cazarez

VMS Science Teacher

Dustin Duke

VHS Woodshop Teacher

Kyleigh Kasper

VHS Floral Teacher

Annie Byrd

Education Foundation Director

Travis Jeffcoat

VHS Food Tech Teacher

MiniCon 2024 Presenters

Larry Sherman

Larry has been a Teacher/Coach for 40 years. 30 years in Public and 10 in Private. He has always felt called into education. His superhero teacher/coach power has always been cultivating relationships for the good. He has a BS and MS from Texas A&M Commerce. His of wife of 43 years is also a retired teacher. He has two daughters and guess what.....they are teachers.

Jennifer Parsons

Jennifer has been teaching physics and engineering at TJC for 9 years, and she’s headed the STEM Club for 3 (officially).

Sonia Garcia

Sonia is a Data Solutions Consultant at Region 10. She has been in education for 19 years in the great state of Texas. Her experience ranges from elementary bilingual to Dyslexia Specialist, and most recently educational technology.

Benjamin Wood

Benjamin Wood, a seasoned Digital Learning Coordinator, is deeply passionate about the intersection of technology, cybersecurity, education, and artificial intelligence.

Nationally recognized, Benjamin has shared his insights on transformative digital learning strategies in presentations across the country. Above all, Benjamin treasures moments with his beloved family—wife Susan Wood and their two children, Colin and Cora. Whether immersing themselves in the great outdoors, exploring new destinations, or simply savoring quiet moments at home, Benjamin cherishes every opportunity to create lasting memories with his loved ones.

April Muñoz

With 21 years of experience in the field of education, April Munoz has presented at events such as the Title III Symposium, the Texas Assessment Conference, and Region 8’s Bilingual Conference. April currently serves as an ESL specialist at Region 7, but her expertise extends beyond this role, having previously excelled as a bilingual classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and bilingual/ESL director. This diverse background equips Mrs. Munoz with a unique perspective that encompasses various facets of the educational landscape.

Carl Mohn

Carl Mohn is a 12-year veteran educator. He taught Social Studies and Humanities at Kilgore High School where he and two partner educators created a Project-Based Learning/Blended Learning program that combined Social Studies with English in a cross-curricular course. After earning a Master's Degree in Digital Learning and Leading from Lamar University, he moved into Instructional Technology for KISD, then joined Region 7 as a Digital Learning Specialist. His goal is to make the world a better place, one teacher at a time.

Anna Tressler

Glenn Hervieux

Anna Tressler is a Sales Account Executive for Promethean. Prior to joining Promethean in 2019, Anna was a Digital Learning Specialist in Carrollton, Texas. Anna started her career in education as a first-grade teacher, for five years, in Carrollton-Farmer’s Branch ISD, before jumping into an instructional technology role, for two years.

Glenn Hervieux is an E-Rate Coordinator & consultant. He came from N. California where he worked as an educator, teaching multiple grade classrooms for seven years and then as a technology coordinator for several small school districts, including Siskiyou Union HSD, where he helped develop a technology program that included GSuite for Education, blended learning, and a 1:1 Chromebook program.

Hunter McConnell

Hunter has 5 years of experience teaching 6th and 7th grade Math. Hunter has 4 years of experience starting a robotics competition from the ground up in Tyler ISD. For the last 5 years, he has been doing Instructional Technology and Media Technology for two of those years. Hunter is passionate about helping educators save time, stay organized, and breaking down concepts in easy to understand pieces! Another passion of his is robotics, he loves getting students involved in robotics either in the classroom or in after-school clubs.

Alaina Hamilton

Alaina is a 4th grade ELAR teacher at East Elementary in Hallsville ISD. She has taught all grade levels Kinder-5th grade, Special Ed, GT, and General Ed. She loves bringing fun to the classroom while learning to lead and grow.

Rakel Paul

RaKel is currently serving as Assistant Principal at Hallsville East Elementary. With 22 years in education, Rakel has taught students of all ages in subjects such as Deaf Education, reading, and writing for 4th and 5th grades. She has worked in diverse settings including small rural schools, the metroplex, and west Texas. In addition to her teaching experience, RaKel has also served as a reading Instructional Coach, and Director of Instructional Technology. She enjoys sharing technology hacks to simplify life and inspiring others to ignite their passion for learning.

Playground

Michael Chism

VTI Technologies

Michael Thomasson

VTI Technologies

Shawna Wood

Libray Media Specialist

Kelly Diaz

VMS Teacher

MiniCon 2024 Van ISD Student Presenters

Floral Design

neumorphism white drop shadow banner sale

Olivia York

Katie Rolison

Emma Lee

Kaycee Catlin

Food Tech

Bailey Guy

Sammy Gilchrist

Ivy Webb

Alexus Carter

Building &

Construction

We would like to thank our CTE students for participating in MiniCon 2024.

Van ISD offers a wide variety of CTE courses that will help students explore various career opportunities and certification programs designed to prepare them for life after high school.

Western STEAM Tour

Join Van ISD and our educational sponsors in bringing innovative STEAM learning opportunities to rural school districts June 2-14, 2024! We will plan and present TEKS-aligned lessons at summer school, STEAM camps, and community events. In addition, we will provide professional development to fellow educators along the way to our ultimate destination, Big Bend!