Live @FETC2024 Preview—eSchool News Exclusive Coverage

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FETC Showstopper— eLuma CEO Jeremy Glauser on addressing the mental health crises in schools

The issues are well-known—K-12 schools are grappling with staffing shortages and a nationwide youth mental health crisis. In response, eLuma, historically known as a K-12 special education teletherapy company, is focusing on expanding its solutions, as evidenced by its recent partnership with Aperture Education, a leading provider of social-emotional skills assessment and intervention supports, to deliver comprehensive answers for social-emotional well-being in K-12 schools.

I was able to discuss with Jeremey eLuma’s 2024 goals, both at FETC and in general, in the interview below. Have a listen:

Interview highlights:

Pandemic Impact on Mental Health: The pandemic exposed and heightened the mental health crisis among youth, with statistics revealing significant challenges such as one in five kids experiencing mental problems and 70% of teens citing anxiety and depression as major issues.
Social Media’s Role: The impact of social media on youth mental health is highlighted, with a Surgeon General report indicating that 95% of youth aged 13-17 use social media, and excessive use correlates with a higher likelihood of major mental health issues.
eLuma’s Evolving Services: The company’s services have evolved from a special education-centric focus to a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) that includes needs assessment, universal screening, counseling, professional development, and school psychology.
Initiatives and Challenges: Jeremy mentions positive developments in funding systems and initiatives by the White House to address absenteeism, but also notes challenges in accessing and taking care of students physically, nutritionally, emotionally, and mentally.
Efficiency Gains through Technology: The forced changes in behavior during the pandemic have led to positive outcomes in terms of efficiency, with remote collaboration and telehealth services playing a crucial role in addressing administrative challenges.
Importance of Privacy: Privacy is deemed critical, especially in the context of mental health interventions. eLuma emphasizes being intentional, and thoughtful, and partnering with national organizations to protect the privacy of students while intervening in a timely manner.

Look Who’s Talking—Interview with Glenn Robbins, Superintendent of Schools at Brigantine Public School District, NJ

FETC finalized its speaker list for this year’s event this week, which includes dozens of experts and educators. Opening keynote Tucker Bryant will present The Poet’s Keys: a Guide to Unlocking Creativity, Innovation and Growth. Attendees will be equipped with tools to build a culture of creative disruption and bold exploration in the world of education, “so we’re set up to shape the future as leaders instead of remaining stuck in models of thinking that are bound for the history books.” Daniel Fitzpatrick will impart insights and tactics for harnessing AI in education. His work in the industry has earned him esteemed accolades such as the Tech Champion Award at the Digital Industry Dynamite Awards in 2022 and recognition in the latest EdTech50 awards. To close things on the mainstage, TechSHARE LIVE will feature Adam Bellow, Leslie Fisher and Dr. Adam Phyall III as the closing keynote. This esteemed crew will present the best new and hidden treasures of edtech, tailored for seamless integration into every classroom.

In between of course are a slew of sessions and presentations collected into seven different tracks. The Campus Leader track will provide school-based leadership with professional learning focused on strategies to manage school sites, create innovative learning spaces and infuse emerging technologies. eSchool had a chance to grab Glenn Robbins, Superintendent of Schools at Brigantine Public School District, NJ, to discuss his role and general excitement about #FETC2024. His passion is harnessing a district culture that thrives on positive psychology, design thinking, futurism, innovative digital spaces, technology integration, esports, cybersecurity, Social Emotional Learning Zen Dens, and Maker cultures. He is the recipient of the National Superintendent Certification, and serves as an AASA National Governing Board Member, AASA Aspiring Superintendent Mentor, and Chair of NJASA Techspo.

He’s also a great interview. Click through to listen and click here to read the transcript:

Takeaways include:

Evolution of Educational Leadership:
- Glenn reflects on the changing role of educational leaders, emphasizing the need for a broad understanding of technology, curriculum, and various aspects of education.
- He underscores the importance of leaders being adaptable and staying informed about emerging technologies and educational trends.
Strategic Approach to EdTech Purchases:
- When discussing his approach to hitting the FETC exhibition hall, Glenn emphasizes the importance of strategic decision-making. He advocates considering the district’s needs, budget, and long-term sustainability when evaluating new technologies.
- Glenn highlights the value of involving students in the decision-making process and seeking their input on potential edtech solutions.
Collaborative Networking:
- Glenn expresses enthusiasm for building new networks and relationships at FETC. He hopes to engage in thoughtful conversations with educators, administrators, and vendors to share insights and experiences.
- The focus is on collaborative learning, with a desire to bring back valuable takeaways for both teachers and students.
Practitioner-Driven Learning:
- Glenn is particularly excited about the practitioner-driven nature of the sessions at FETC. He looks forward to hearing from educators who have successfully implemented programs, products, or ideas in their schools.
- The emphasis is on learning from real-world experiences and practical strategies that have proven effective in diverse educational settings.

Get Ready for Pitchfest2024

FETC Pitchfest 2024 provides a pivotal platform for early-stage edtech startups to gain valuable market exposure, secure investment, attract customers and establish strategic partnerships. Selected startups will pitch their groundbreaking ideas to a panel of industry experts, district administrators, front-line educators, parents and investors alongside a live audience.

The FETC Pitchfest Selection Committee has meticulously evaluated a pool of promising EdTech startups and selected five companies for each of the following eight categories, representing the diverse spectrum of innovation, approaches, and thoughts shaping the future of education:

Immersive Tech: Kai’s Education, Curio XR, MegaMinds, Prof Jim Inc.
Coding, Robotics & STEM: imagi (imagiLabs AB), Rocket Drones, Muzology, Robo Wunderkind Inc., Tanoshi
Learning Management System: ELO Digital Office, Novis River Inc., LX Aer Corporation
Social-emotional Learning: Abloom, Maro, BrainZones, Soft Kids, JAKAPA
Language Learning: Erudyte, AIR Language, Literacy Tree, Readable English
Early Childhood Learning: Johnnie May (by John Jones Media), Literably, KinderLab Robotics, Inc.
Online Courses: Animation Prep, The Geek House, Sparc, Pencil Spaces, Connected Class
Wild Card: Schoolytics, Readeezy, Scholar Education, Video Pro Learning, Cursive Technology, Inc.

“We’re thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of startups to FETC Pitchfest 2024,” said Kyle Christian Steele, Director of FETC Pitchfest. “Their solutions represent the very essence of edtech transformation, and the conference provides the perfect scale and network to showcase their potential to positively impact teaching, learning experiences, and access for students worldwide.”

Additionally, FETC is providing selected startups with unprecedented access to workshops, special talks, lunches and other unique opportunities that will allow them to interface directly with the 15,000+ K-12 teachers and district administrators who attend the conference. Find out more about Pitchfest here.

Editors’ Pick— Five Must-See Sessions

Looking for a great session (or two, or three…) to attend during FETC 2024? We’ve got you covered! FETC workshops and sessions are presented by experts and innovators who are making a difference across the K-12 education spectrum. They’ll share best practices, innovative ideas, leadership strategies and provide valuable perspectives and solutions to challenging edtech problems. Session tracks include: Assistive technology, campus leader, coach, district administrator, educator, information technology, and library media specialist.

Here are 5 sessions we’re eyeing as we build our FETC schedules.

Kevin is a forward-thinking media executive with more than 25 years of experience building brands and audiences online, in print, and face to face. He is an acclaimed writer, editor, and commentator covering the intersection of society and technology, especially education technology. You can reach Kevin at KevinHogan@eschoolnews.com