MACE Newsletter Feb 2025 VOL 1 : simplebooklet.com

MACE strives to be the best educational conference it can be, meetingthe needs of its attendees while providing networking opportunitiesfor educators and industry partners. We believe our conferencesessions stimulate new ideas for teaching and learning in today'sclassrooms.We not only pride ourselves in providing educators with "just in time"learning in the spirit of work, we like to celebrate you with food, fun,and giveaways!MACE is a wonderful learning and networking conference foreducators, and a great low-cost option for school districts to supporttechnological staff development. Click here for more informationabout the MACE Conference.OUR HISTORYABOUTABOUT MACE has been a leader in instructional technology since the early1980s, continuously evolving to support K-12 education in Kansas. Inrecent years, we have expanded our focus to include ArtificialIntelligence and Cybersecurity. As a volunteer-driven organization, weconnect K-12 staff with subject matter experts to enhance technologyintegration. Our events amplify the voices of both emerging innovatorsand experienced leaders, fostering collaboration between educatorsand vendors. With a legacy of hosting conferences for over 40 years—excluding the COVID year—we take pride in delivering valuableexperiences for all attendees.REGISTRATION OPEN FOR MACE 2025PAGE 2See an error or have an idea; submit a suggestion.

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A Struggle to Learn – Leslie FisherLeslie Fisher's journey to becoming a leading EdTech presenter is one of inspiration. As a visual learner in the pre-digital era, she struggled academically until receiving her first computer. Now, with a 27-year career, Leslie shares her story and insights, demonstrating how a challenging educational experiencefueled her passion for helping teachers create engaging classrooms. Hearher inspiring story and learn from the success stories of educators she'scollaborated with.MACEMACE KEYNOTEKEYNOTEBreakout 1: Tools You Can Use TomorrowThis session highlights tips, tricks, new features, and "Did you know" about some ofthe easiest-to-use, popular solutions used in EdTech today and introduces you tosome new solutions as well. This session is ever-changing, and you are guaranteed tosee new features from some of your favorite solutions and hopefully learn about anall-new solution. The focus will be on online solutions (many also have apps) that canbe used in various grade levels and focuses. The goal is to show you useful solutionsthat are easy to use and can be used immediately.Breakout 2: Content Creation & Storytelling – Best Apps & Sites for Teachers &StudentsInterested in empowering your students to become effective content creators? Thispresentation offers practical solutions and guidance you can use immediately tosupport student content creation. Explore tools and techniques for digitalstorytelling, image creation, and more, equipping your students with the skills theyneed to express themselves creatively and effectively.

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Dr. Thomas BuntonAssociate Vice President ChiefInformation OfficerKansas State UniversityITN KEYNOTEITN KEYNOTEPAGE 4Dr. Thomas Bunton is the Associate Vice President and Chief InformationOfficer at Kansas State University. In this role, he provides informationtechnology leadership throughout the university, including teaching,learning, research, and administrative environments.Before this role, Bunton was the Associate Vice Chancellor and ChiefInformation Officer at New Mexico State University and the AssociateVice President and Chief Information Officer at the University of Arkansasat Little Rock. He also held various leadership roles at the University ofWisconsin–Milwaukee and Purdue University, where he led large-scaletechnological and organizational transformations that includedimplementing centers of excellence, drafting and executing IT strategicplans, and rationalizing and integrating complex IT portfolios.Bunton is passionate about higher education and its role in society,particularly social mobility. He spearheads efforts and outreach toincrease affordability, access, and student success. His outreach effortsinclude mentoring high school students interested in informationtechnology careers and being a regular lecturer to incoming first-generation students. He’s strongly committed to illuminating andproviding frictionless educational pathways for students who mayotherwise lack experience navigating the sometimes confusing andunfamiliar environments associated with higher education.

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District registrars or reporting staff members looking to streamlinetheir data management skills are invited to attend a workshop hostedby the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) in partnershipwith the Mid-America Association for Computers in Education (MACE)in March. This is a unique chance to connect with fellow registrars,reporting staff and IT professionals in a collaborative and informativeenvironment. Click here for more information on the KSDE dataworkshop.KANSAS STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DATA WORKSHOP SCHEDULEDKSDE DATAKSDE DATAWORKSHOPWORKSHOPMACE FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER VOL 1

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Antalya CityTurkish PilavPazar FestivalJoin us for an immersive pre-conference boot camp designed toempower educators with the knowledge and tools to integrate artificialintelligence into the classroom. "From Ideas to AI: A Teacher's Guide toAI in the Classroom" offers a hands-on exploration of how AI cantransform teaching and learning experiences. Click here for moreinformation on the AI Boot Camp.ARTIFICIALARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCEINTELLIGENCEAI BOOTCAMP AT ITNPAGE 6

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AI in K-12: Moving Beyond Tools to StrategyBy: Tom Sextro - Technology Director, Holton USD 336Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere in education, but too often, the focusremains on tools rather than strategy. Without a district-wide approach, AIefforts stay fragmented and fall short of their full potential. The real question isn’t which AI tool to use—it’s how AI can systematicallyimprove teaching, learning, and operations. Most districts aren’t asking this yet—but they should be.Step One: Get Comfortable with AI in Everyday LifeBefore AI can be effectively integrated into the classroom, educators must firstexperience its value personally. This should be priority #1 from day one. Encourage teachers & staff to install ChatGPT, Gemini, or another AI tool ontheir smartphones.AI needs to be a natural part of daily routines before its full potential is realized. Think about it this way: We’ve trained ourselves to use Google for everything.What if we replaced “Google it” with “Ask AI” instead? Example: Instead of searching “easy dinner recipes,” ask AI:➡ “With these ingredients in my fridge, what meals can I make?”This small shift—from passive searching to interactive problem-solving—demonstrates AI’s unique value.Step Two: AI as a Thought Partner, Not Just a ToolOnce educators feel comfortable using AI personally, they’ll naturally startseeing its professional benefits. Encourage them to use AI to: Brainstorm lesson plans & activities Get feedback on parent emails before sending Simplify complex topics for student-friendly explanations Draft classroom newsletters & rubrics Automate mundane paperwork Key insight: If teachers only see AI as another tool, they won’t change theirapproach. If they see AI as a thought partner that makes their work easier,they’ll embrace it fully.

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Step Three: From Individual Use to System-Wide ImpactOnce staff develop AI habits, it’s time to scale up. The focus shifts from AI asa personal assistant to AI as a district-wide improvement tool. Where districts should focus: Learning & Workforce Support – AI-powered tutors that providepersonalized feedback HR & Workforce Development – Automating onboarding, policies, andknowledge sharing Knowledge Retention & Institutional Memory – Capturing whatemployees know before they leave AI-Powered Problem Solving – Using chatbots to collect and searchdistrict-wide expertise Custom AI Development – Every educator can build AI solutions; achatbot in SchoolAI.com is software development! AI can answer critical institutional questions:What policies have we used in the past to solve this problem?How did our district handle similar challenges before?What strategies are working across different schools? Most districts aren’t thinking big enough yet. AI isn’t just about lessonplanning—it’s about capturing and sharing knowledge at scale to solvebigger, long-term challenges.What’s Next? Join Me at ITN to Learn MoreAI isn’t just about adding new tools—it’s about changing how we work andthink. If your district has mastered the basics, it’s time to develop a real AIstrategy. Join me at ITN, where I’ll break down: The three-phase AI adoptionmodel The next steps for schools beyond basic AI useIf we want AI to truly transform education, we need to move beyondcuriosity and start building habits, systems, and strategies. Let’s make ithappen!PAGE 8AI in K-12: Moving Beyond Tools to Strategy (Cont.)

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The MACE ITN committee is thrilled to announce the schedule for ITN2025 presentations. This year's event promises an exciting lineup,featuring a diverse group of presenters who will share their extensiveknowledge and experience with K-12 tech staff.We are fortunate to have assembled a group of experts from variousfields, all of whom bring unique perspectives and insights. Theirpresentations will cover a wide range of topics, ensuring that attendeeshave access to the latest trends, tools, and strategies in educationaltechnology.Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, stay updated with thelatest advancements, or simply network with like-minded professionals,ITN 2025 is set to be an invaluable experience. The diversity of presentersguarantees that there will be something for everyone, catering to thevarying needs and interests of K-12 tech staff.We invite you to join us at ITN 2025 and take advantage of this incredibleopportunity to learn, grow, and connect. With such a wealth of knowledgeon offer, you're sure to leave the event inspired and equipped with newideas to implement in your own educational environments.Stay tuned for more details and get ready to be part of an event thatpromises to push the boundaries of what's possible in educationaltechnology. We look forward to seeing you there! DIVE INTO INNOVATION: ITN 2025 PRESENTATION LINEUP REVEALEDITN PRESENTATIONSITN PRESENTATIONSMACE FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER VOL 1

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Data Governance & RetentionDavid Cunningham - Kansas Association of School BoardsLegal and Policy Requirements for K-12 Student RecordsThis presentation will address the legal and policy requirements for K-12 studentrecords. It is important to understand the law and policies on student records includingwhat information can be shared, when it can be released, and to whom it may beprovided. Record retention laws are also important. Understanding the legal and policyrequirements will help school employees meet their obligations regarding records.CybersecurityRyan Kurtenbach - Kansas State Department of EducationBuilding a Cybersecurity Program Through CollaborationBuilding a cybersecurity program can be an overwhelming task. We will explorepractical steps for starting and implementing a cybersecurity program that will meetthe needs of your district. This will include items such as assessing your currentcybersecurity posture, identifying gaps, and setting clear cybersecurity goals. This isbased on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 which will allow you to continueto grow your program to engage stakeholders and foster a culture of cybersecurityawareness utilizing tools and resources from different organizations including NIST andKSDE. Andrea Menotti - Apple, Inc.Apple Platform SecurityLearn how cutting-edge security innovations work seamlessly across Apple's hardware,software, and services to protect user data and privacy. This session highlights thepowerful technologies that make Apple platforms the most secure in the world.Leveraging Cloudflare's ZTNA to Provide Secure Public Access to Private Devices.Brian Boore - GreenbushCloudflare's Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is the technology that makes it possibleto implement a Zero Trust security model. "Zero Trust" is an IT security model thatassumes threats are present both inside and outside a network. Consequently, ZeroTrust requires strict verification for every user and every device before authorizingthem to access internal resources.In ZTNA, connected devices are not aware of any resources (applications, servers, etc.)on the network other than what they are connected to.I’ll show you how to:Give users limited access to private computers, websites, servers, heating and air,NVRs, and door lock systems for FREE!!No Firewall changes need to be made. You will give users access to only what they needaccess to. Users will not see anything else.ITN PRESENTATIONSITN PRESENTATIONS

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Cybersecurity (cont.)Matthew McGill - Heartland Business SystemsBuilding a Strategic Cybersecurity Program: A Proactive Defense BlueprintIn today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity can no longer be treated asan isolated function—it must mature into a fully integrated, strategic pillar of theorganization. This presentation explores how businesses can advance their cybersecuritymaturity by embedding security practices into every layer of operations, from ITinfrastructure to executive decision-making.We’ll discuss key frameworks for measuring cybersecurity maturity, strategies forseamlessly integrating security into development and business processes, and how tofoster a security-first culture across teams. Attendees will gain practical insights intoimproving resilience, enhancing collaboration between security and business units, andnavigating compliance in a constantly shifting threat environment.Join us to discover how a proactive, integrated approach to cybersecurity canstrengthen defenses, reduce risk, and support long-term business success.Dr. Mike Ribble, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383Cybersecurity TableTopWorking with Todd Bryant will show how the school district involved variousmembers of the district (e.g., Safety and Security officer, administrators, etc.) to havea tabletop exercise that also included the IT department and how various groupsaddressed issues during an incident.Toree Murphy - Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security AgencyCISA CybersecurityThe presentation introduces who CISA is and what we offer, along with the currentcyber threat landscape for K-12 educationEric Tolbert - Kansas Information Security OfficeCybersecurity - Helpful Information You Should KnowAn overview of Cybersecurity information and helpful resources that support K-12organizations.Eric Tolbert - Kansas Information Security OfficeK12 Six Incident Response Plan and How It Interfaces with the Kansas CyberResilience FrameworkAn overview of the K12 Six Incident Response Plan, the Kansas Cyber ResilienceFramework and how the two interconnect and support each other.MACE FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER VOL 1

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Artificial IntelligenceDr. Mike Ribble, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 & Tom Sextro, Holton USD 336AI Planning and ImplementationWorking with Tom Sextro of Holton, KS will show the two aspects of AIimplementation - guidelines and professional learning. This session will show howthese two areas work together for implementation of new concepts and ideas suchas AI.Nathan Johnson - Heartland Business SystemsSupercharge Your Thinking: Unleashing the Power of Gemini and NotebookLMSupercharge your thinking and unlock new levels of productivity with Gemini andNotebookLM. This session explores how these powerful AI tools can revolutionizehow you work with information, from summarizing complex documents togenerating new ideas. Learn how to connect your notes and documents toGemini's intelligence for unprecedented insights and efficiency.Digital CitizenshipAdam Vinter - Common Sense EducationBeyond the Help Desk: IT's Role in Promoting Digital CitizenshipIn today's digital world, the role of information technology staff extends beyondmere technical support. Unofficial responsibilities often include educatingteachers and school personnel on digital citizenship principles relevant to theirprofessional and personal lives. This encompasses crucial aspects such asmaintaining privacy, managing digital footprints, minimizing passive screen time,and safeguarding passwords.This session is designed to empower IT professionals within educational settings,who are pivotal in ensuring that all staff members are fully equipped to embracetechnology and confidently overcome associated challenges. We will engage in aninteractive "What would you do?" format to explore practical tips for enhancingonline safety and reducing digital stress. Join us to gain insights into how IT staffcan be instrumental in promoting a culture of smart, safe, and stress-freetechnology use across your educational environment.PAGE 12

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Technology OperationsChris Hanson - CDW EducationElevating Your Approach to Device Lifecycle ManagementJoin CDW Education to learn about an innovative approach to full clientdevice lifecycle management. We will discuss examples of how CDWEducation can help your district create a future-proof lifecyclemanagement design. From device selection and refresh cycle strategy todeployment, management, and disposition of devices, we will knowledgeshare best practices that are sure to leave a positive impact on yourdistrict. Lindsay Stephenson - ClassLinkClassLink: Building on Success: Exploring Foundational Strengths andUnveiling New FeaturesThis presentation is designed for both current ClassLink clients and thoseinterested in learning more. We'll demonstrate how ClassLink streamlinesaccess and enhances security for your entire educational community.You'll also gain valuable insights from our revamped Analytics andAnalytics+ dashboards, empowering you to understand usage, identifytrends, and make data-driven decisions to inform your budget planningand educational strategies. Finally, we'll unveil the latest featuresdesigned to further improve student and staff experiences.

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STEM & Instructional TechnologyKyle Pace - Apple, Inc.What’s New and Best Practices with Apple EducationThe Kansas Apple Education team will be sharing the latest instructionaland technical updates about what’s possible in the classroom along withbest practices in device management. Join Ryan, Nolan, and Kyle to learnwhy Apple is the best device for teaching, learning, and staff productivity.We will also incorporate time to discuss purchasing, the total cost ofownership, and why districts are switching from Chromebooks to iPadsand Macs. Please come with your questions and willingness to participate!Jeff Sheldon - Sunderland Foundation Innovation LabTour the Sunderland Foundation Innovation LabThe Sunderland Foundation Innovation Lab is K-State's shared learningenvironment and makerspace that's open to all faculty, staff, students,and the surrounding community. This collection of spaces blendsinnovative and emerging technologies with experiential learning on twofloors of K-State’s historic Hale Library. Join Innovation Lab staff for atour of this exciting environment and learn more about how our media,data, and prototyping resources add value to the K-State experience andadvance the University’s Land Grant mission.PAGE 14

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Antalya CityTurkish PilavPazar FestivalThe ITN Conference wouldn't be possible without the incredible support of ourvendor partners! Their commitment to advancing technology in educationempowers our schools, strengthens our networks, and keeps us at the cutting edgeof innovation. We're thrilled to have them onsite, sharing their expertise andshowcasing the latest solutions. Click here to see this year’s sponsors. Fortinet – Cybersecurity is the foundation of every great IT strategy, andFortinet continues to lead the way in protecting our schools from evolving threats.Stop by their sessions to learn how their security-driven networking approachkeeps data safe and accessible! Kansas City Audio Visual – Seamless communication and interactive learningstart with the right AV solutions. KCAV delivers cutting-edge audiovisualtechnology that enhances collaboration in classrooms and beyond. See theirlatest innovations in action! Heartland Business Systems – From infrastructure to cloud solutions,Heartland Business Systems is dedicated to helping K-12 institutions build resilientand efficient IT environments. Don’t miss their insights on optimizing technologyfor education. CDW Education – Supporting schools with customized IT solutions, CDWEducation bridges the gap between technology and learning. Their expertise in ed-tech solutions ensures that schools have the tools they need to succeed in thedigital age. Kansas State College of Education - Since the development of the ITNconference, the KSU College of Education has been a supporter of our event byproviding, water, coffee and orange juice to our attendees. They have not onlybeen a valued by partner providing refreshments, but by also sharing our visionfor improved technology integration and instruction throughout Kansas schools.Visit Their Booths & Sessions!Each of these outstanding vendors will be onsite, ready to connect, answerquestions, and demonstrate how their solutions can enhance your district’stechnology initiatives. Be sure to visit their booths, attend their sessions, andthank them for their generous support of the ITN Conference!ITN SPONSORSITN SPONSORSMACE FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER VOL 1

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NETWORKINGNETWORKINGColleagues and ConversationsJoin Us for an Evening of Networking and Refreshments! After a day oflearning and inspiration, unwind and connect with fellow educators atour social networking hour! Join us for engaging conversations at theAlumni Center from 5:00-6:00 PM. It's the perfect opportunity tonetwork, share ideas, and build connections with colleagues from acrossthe state. We look forward to seeing you there!Explore the Latest EdTech Innovations:Visit Our Exhibit Hall!Step into the future of education! Take some timeto explore our exhibit hall in Banquet Rooms A &D, where you'll discover the latest cutting-edgetechnologies, tools, and resources designed toenhance teaching and learning. Connect withvendors, get hands-on demos, and findinspiration for your classroom. Don't miss thisopportunity to see what's new in ed tech!PAGE 16

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Across Kansas, school districts are leveraging technology in innovativeways to enhance learning, improve efficiency, and strengthencybersecurity. Whether it's implementing a new help desk system,deploying cutting-edge classroom tools, or streamlining datamanagement, your work is making a difference! Now, MACE ITN wantsto highlight the incredible efforts happening in K-12 IT across thestate. Click here to learn how to submit a newsletter article and howwe plan to share it with others.SHARE YOUR SUCCESS: SHOWCASE YOUR K-12 TECHINITIATIVES WITH MACE ITNNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER MACE FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER VOL 1

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Antalya CityMACE invites you to join the collaboration on ourDiscourse site!Are you a K-12 technology director seeking a vibrant, organized space tocollaborate, learn, and share ideas with your peers? MACE-KS invitesyou to join our online community on Discourse.Our Discourse site is designed to foster communication andcollaboration among K-12 technology professionals across Kansas andbeyond. It’s more than just a platform—it’s a hub for innovation andshared expertise. Click here to read about our Discourse site and how tojoin.How can MACE help you? Our Suggestion Box At MACE and ITN, the secret to our success lies in the incrediblecollaboration of talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Thisdynamic blend of perspectives and experiences fuels our innovativeapproach, allowing us to offer unique solutions that go beyondtraditional organizational services. Click here to read about our ITNsuggestion site.PAGE 18COLLABORATONCOLLABORATON

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RECOGNITIONRECOGNITIONmonthly editionDigitalTransformationThe Mid-America Association for Computers inEducation (MACE) is thrilled to unveil the Tech StaffRecognition Program—a monthly initiative tocelebrate the incredible contributions oftechnology professionals in Kansas schools. Thisprogram underscores the commitment toconsistently honor the hard work of technologystaff. Click here to to learn more about the MACETech Staff Recognition Program.MACE TO LAUNCH NEW MONTHLY TECH STAFFRECOGNITION PROGRAM

MACE Newsletter Feb 2025 VOL 1

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