A Virtual AI-for-K12 Gathering
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the landscape of K-12 education. Sequoia Con is our response. A two-day conference dedicated entirely to AI.
Not a breakout session here or there. An entire conference dedicated to AI. Featuring presentations from dozens of North America’s leading teachers, administrators, and technology experts.
Whether you’re new to AI and LLM technologies, or you’ve been incorporating them for years, Sequoia Con is the place to grow.
February 29 - March 1, 2024
Early Bird: $379/person
Regular: $429/person
Register by February 1 for Early Bird pricing
Free Book!
All attendees will receive a free copy of Dr. Agarwal's book Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning
This AI-for-Schools gathering is for all educators serving Tk-12 students.
Teachers: You’ll hear from peer experts using AI in your subject, at your grade level, with your standards who are clawing back hours of their day.
Principals: You’ll hear from leaders like yourself who are controlling the chaos and staying ahead of the curve.
Classified Staff: You’ll hear from other educators and support staff who are using AI to reduce their workload (and headaches).
District: You’ll hear from fellow administrators navigating the foggy landscape of AI while avoiding its predictable landmines.
No! As a token of our appreciation for your willingness to share your AI insights, all presenters get free admission to the full two-day conference (even if you only present one session).
No problem! All sessions will be recorded and shared after the event.
Sequoia offers a number of ways to customize your own experience, including by opting into different Branches (or “tracks”).
On Day 1, the Branches will be focused around the ways in which AI helps educators and staff solve everyday problems.
- Saving Time & Hassle
- Improved Lesson Planning
- Differentiation
- Classroom Management
- Assessment Creation & Grading
- Laborious Administration
- Communications & Difficult Situations
- IEPs & Student Support
On Day 2, the Branches will focus on the ways AI can specifically benefit different levels, grades, and positions within schools.
- K-7 (under 13)
- Grade 8-12 (over 13)
- Math
- Science
- Language Arts
- Social Studies
- Computer Science
- Foreign Language
- The Arts
- School/District Staff
- Principals
- CTOs
- Superintendents/Heads of School/CEOs
If you’re a teacher, principal, school/district staff member, or district leader who has been using any sort of AI in your work, we’d love for you to apply to share your wisdom!
You might be thinking, “I’m not doing anything groundbreaking, I’ll just go attend.” Don’t count yourself out (we might count you out but then you can be mad at us instead of yourself! 😏)
Specifically, we’re looking for people who are using GPT, Midjourney, Khan Academy, or any of the hundreds of new AI products to improve learning outcomes, build skills, or build more breathing room in their daily lives.
If you’re remotely interested, you can do the first step in 5 minutes and then we’ll reach out to you if we’d like to learn more!
This conference will feature a virtual exhibition hall, with dedicated time for attendees to explore your offerings.
If you’d like to exhibit your product or service at the Evergreen AI Conference, please fill out this form.
Keynote Speakers
Pooja K. Agarwal, PhD
Pooja K. Agarwal, Ph.D. (@RetrieveLearn) is a cognitive scientist, conducting research on how students learn since 2005. She is the author of the book Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning, and an Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, teaching psychological science to exceptional undergraduate musicians. She is also the Founder of RetrievalPractice.org, a hub of strategies and resources based on the science of learning for 15,000 teachers around the world.
Her research has been published in leading journals; highlighted by The New York Times, NPR, and Education Week; and recognized by the National Science Foundation. Her love of learning formed at the outset of her career as a 4th and 5th grade teacher in St. Louis, Missouri. She received her Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.
Eric Curts
Eric has been in education for 32 years, and currently serves as a Technology Integration Specialist for SPARCC in North Canton, Ohio where he oversees Google for Education implementation, training, and support, as well as other technology integration initiatives. Eric is an authorized Google Education Trainer and Innovator, and provides training to schools, organizations, and conferences throughout Ohio and across the country. He is a co-leader of the Ohio Google Educator Group at bit.ly/gegohio. Eric runs the award-winning blog www.ControlAltAchieve.com where all of his edtech resources can be found, and is the author of the book "Control Alt Achieve: Rebooting Your Classroom with Creative Google Projects".
Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff
Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff (@LucyKirchh) is an educator and consultant with over 20 years of experience in science, history, and civic education. She has a Master of Science in Education from California Baptist University and is a Google Certified Trainer. She is passionate about fostering engaged and informed citizens through digital literacy, media literacy, and inquiry-based learning. In 2023, Laurel was awarded the ISTE "20 to Watch" international award.
Laurel is an active member and leader of several professional communities, including ISTE, CUE, Educators' Community, Inland Area CUE, and National History Day-California.
Derek D. Rouch, EdD
A SpEd paraeducator-turned-teacher-turned-CTO, Derek is passionate about technology's potential to impact learning. He is proud to serve as Technology Director for Nuview Union School District in Southern California, and enjoys moonlighting as the Chief Technology Officer for the California Association for the Gifted, and adjunct faculty for Purdue University Global's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Featured Speakers
Jake Carr
Jake Carr (@MrCarrOnTheWeb) is a husband and father who specializes in Blended and Online Lesson Design. He has been loving a career in education for over a decade. He has taught both comprehensive traditional, and charter models ranging from 1-12th grade. Along with his teaching credential, he holds an international Waldorf certificate and is a Google Certified Educator. He enjoys the outdoors, reading, audiobooks, painting, and goofing around with his family. He is also the 2020 award winner for CUE Educator of the Year for Blended and Online Lesson Design.
Karle Delo
Karle Delo (@coachkarle) is an instructional coach and Curriculum Director who is passionate about empowering educators and students. In her current role, she provides teachers with support and training on how to use technology to save time and enhance instruction. Karle is also a frequent speaker at education conferences and has been featured in numerous publications and podcasts. In 2023, she was named one of the top 30 K-12 EdTech Influencers to follow by EdTech Magazine. On her TikTok and Instagram channels, @coachkarle, she creates videos about Canva, Google for Education, and the latest AI tools for teachers.
Shawn Jansepar
Shawn Jansepar is Director of Engineering at Khan Academy and product leader of the Khanmigo Platform. Prior to joining Khan Academy, Shawn led Engineering at Mobify in Vancouver, growing it from a small startup to a large team which was eventually acquired by Salesforce. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Simon Fraser University.
Kimberly Lane Clark
Kimberly Lane Clark, Ed.S, has dedicated the past 16 years of her career to championing digital equity for minority girls. With a background as an educator in Mississippi and Texas, Kimberly brings a wealth of classroom experience to her current role as an Educator Advocacy Lead at Google. In her work at Google, Kimberly collaborates closely with educators to leverage educational technology and build community for transformative impact. Her passion for cooking and her commitment to addressing inequities faced by underrepresented girls extend beyond her professional life, as she actively advocates for STEM education and shares her insights on Twitter (@askatechnogirl) and LinkedIn.
Diane Lauer, EdD
Diane Lauer (@MrsLauer) serves as the Chief Academic Officer in the St. Vrain Valley School District. Overseeing academic support for 33,000 students and professional learning for 4,500+ personnel, Diane decided early in 2023 to embrace AI. A nonstop innovator, she was one of the first to adopt AI-informed pedagogy in Spring 2023 and push against broad bans of tools like ChatGPT. Because of her vanguard work on AI, Diane was appointed by the Colorado Education Initiative and aiEDU to Colorado's Statewide Steering Committee for AI. She also leads St. Vrain's $7m innovation grant from Colorado's Opportunity Now fund, which accelerates career pathways in Teaching, Cloud IT and Advanced Manufacturing.
Joe Marquez
Joe Marquez (@JoeMarquez70) is an enthusiastic leader in education technology and the Director of Academic Innovation for CUE. His innovating spirit, outgoing attitude and outrageous personality has earned him the coveted titles of Certified Google Innovator, Certified Google Trainer, Common Sense Ambassador, Apple Teacher, and Microsoft Innovative Educator. Joe is an adjunct Professor for the Fresno Pacific University Educational Technology Master's Program and guest instructor for the Fresno State Teacher Track Academy and Teachers Pathway T.A.C.O.S (Technology, Aerospace, and Collaboration Opportunities in STEM) Summer Institute. Joe is also the Founder of the professional development site www.SonsOfTechnology.com
Katie McNamara
Katie McNamara serves as a teacher librarian at a public high school in California, director of the Teacher Librarian Program at Fresno Pacific University, and various EDU boards. She is a Google Certified Innovator and AASL Tech Troubadour. She served as president of the California School Library Association (2020-2021). Katie has authored contributing chapters and published many journal articles. She has won numerous awards for being innovative and sharing content. She enjoys learning, empowering teachers to inspire student learning, and frequently sharing her expertise as a national and global presenter. She is also a proud boymom. Inspire.Create.Empower.Repeat. Connect with her on social media @KatieJMcNamara.
Lisa Moe
Lisa Moe teaches 6th Grade in Corona-Norco Unified School District and is known on Social Media as @MissMoeTeaches. She was named the 2020 Edwin Carr recipient in Educational Technology through California State University, Fullerton and the 2021 IACUE Blended and Online Educator of the Year. In 2022, she was featured on CBS Mission: Unstoppable as a leading female in STEM. She currently serves on the Inland Area CUE board and is a 2023-2024 CSTA Equity Fellow. She hopes to continue to make a positive and significant impact in the world of STEAM, CS, and Educational Technology.
Shannon Moore, CHt
Shannon is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Mental Health Advocate, Mindfulness Meditation Practitioner and a Life and Career Development Consultant. She is devoted to illuminating others on how to integrate positive changes into their lives and release old paradigms within the mind to generate self empowerment and create fresh perspectives on life.
Derek Rouch, EdD
Derek Rouch (@derekrouch) is a former paraeducator, middle school math teacher, and administrator. He is currently the Director of Technology for Nuview Union School District in Southern California, where he is passionate about AI's potential to impact learning.
He earned his Doctor of Education degree at Vanderbilt University and also serves as an adjunct faculty member for Purdue University Global's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and is also proud to serve the California Association for the Gifted as its Chief Technology Officer.
Sophie Theodorou
Sophie Theodorou (@teach2ai) is a Middle Years Teacher at Pembina Trails School Division in Winnipeg who leverages her classroom experience as the foundation of her “after hours” work in AI integration and educational technology. As a Content Creator, she runs @Teach2AI on TikTok, reaching tens of thousands of people each week and making a significant impact in the digital education space. In her role at Hello History, she leads the sales and development of HelloHistory AI software, blending her teaching insights with technological innovation. Sophie's unique blend of classroom teaching and expertise in educational technology positions her as a key influencer in the integration of AI in education.
Ashley Yazarlou
Ashley Yazarlou is an Educational Technology Specialist and Instructional Coach (TOSA) in Hemet Unified School District and serves as the VP of Communications for the IACUE Affiliate. Additionally, she hosts and produces a podcast for teachers called the Blending In Podcast where she chats with innovative educators who are "blending in" EdTech! Prior to accepting this role outside of the classroom, Ashley taught ELA in the middle school setting for 11 years in both Florida & California schools.