Last week, Community Brands had the privilege of participating in the NEIT conference from April 17th to April 19th, 2024, amidst the stunning backdrop of Mohawk, New York. Hosted by our partners at NYSAIS, the conference brought together a diverse community of librarians, technologists, educators, and administrators passionate about shaping the future of information and technology in schools. NYSAIS is affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the New York State Coalition for Independent and Religious Schools and serves over 81,000 students. Sam Rosenfeld, Director of Solutions Strategy, and Darien Sacco, Senior Sales Director, attended the event on behalf of Community Brands. Dive into their favorite moments and conference highlights.
Keynote Sessions: Adapting to a Technology-driven Era
The event started with insightful keynote sessions that challenged conventional wisdom and inspired critical thinking. Marie Heath and Dan Krutka, Co-Founders of Civics of Technology, questioned the narrative of technology integration in education and strategies to approach the shift during their keynote “Should Educators Trust Machines?”
Jennifer LaGarde, a prominent librarian and literacy mentor, led a session on “Developing Digital Detectives,” emphasizing the importance of information literacy in an era of misinformation. Chloe Taylor, Founder of Chloe Taylor Technology, explored the potential of emerging technology to transform the school experience in her keynote on “Interconnected Communities of Care and Learning in the Digital Era.”
Throughout the conference, attendees engaged in thought-provoking “unconferences.” The unique format invited participating schools to propose topic ideas to conference attendees; attendees would break out into group discussions and workshops based on the topics. Popular topics included cell phone policies for middle and high school students, artificial intelligence, and how programming and library classes intersect.
Community Brands’ Team Highlights
Sam and Darien representing Community Brands at NEIT 2024!
At the Community Brands booth, attendees connected with Sam and Darien to share their insights and experiences, highlighting topics such as operational changes to improve student well-being. Conversations revolved around initiatives like “cell phone-free” campuses, designed to enhance emotional wellness and promote presence during the school day. Attendees also enjoyed the conference’s lively atmosphere, including a memorable silent disco.
Reflecting on the event, Sam Rosenfeld expressed gratitude to NYSAIS for hosting such a dynamic gathering of educators and administrators. “It was a pleasure to meet and interact with such a warm and tight-knit community who share our passion for innovation and learning,” he shared.
Continue Learning: Education Technology Trends
Community Brands extends heartfelt thanks to all attendees and customers for participating and engaging at NEIT 2024. Together, we are shaping the future of education and technology, preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!
While NEIT has concluded, we are committed to sharing valuable resources for K-12 private and independent schools. Continue learning with this blog post about top education technology trends.
