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MassCUE News: December 2025
Fostering Connections and Cultivating Community
A Mid-Year Reflection from the Executive Director Grace Magley
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As the calendar year winds down, my heart is full of gratitude for the incredible community we are building together—the professional family that defines MassCUE. This December, our focus is on the power of connection, embodying our mission to educate, connect, and inspire.
The last six months, from July through December, have shown remarkable growth in engagement and impact. Our 2025 recap shows that our community is thriving, forging deep relationships with educators, schools and districts, organizations and our vendor partners all in service of Massachusetts K-12 students.
One of the most inspiring components of our community is the daily inspiration we draw from each other. Our Featured Educators are shining examples of the dedication present in Massachusetts schools. Please take a moment to read their profiles and allow their passion to fuel your own!
Looking ahead, our community is focused on two major initiatives that embody the spirit of collaboration:
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The PEA2K (Partnership for Educators Advancing AI Knowledge) Initiative: We are thrilled to share that we have accepted 14 districts into the first PEA2K cohort. This is the heart of our collective work, demonstrating what we can achieve when we connect our talents toward a common, transformative goal for future-ready education. The PEA2K cohort will kick off on Jan. 8, 2026 for an AI Summit at UMass Lowell. I look forward to updating you on the progress of this important six-month pilot initiative.
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The Spring Leadership Conference: Mark your calendars! On March 6, 2026 the MassCUE Spring Leadership Conference is not just an event; it's our annual professional leadership reunion. It’s the ultimate opportunity to reconnect with peers, exchange ideas, and ignite creativity and passion. This year's theme is Assessing Wonder - Inspiring Leaders: Critical Conversations on Authentic Assessment in this New Era. Registration details soon.
Finally, as we prepare to "recharge" for the new year, we will be announcing a series of webinars beginning in January. These sessions are designed to connect you directly with experts and peers, providing practical knowledge as we kick off the calendar year.
In this season of community and togetherness, thank you for being an indispensable part of the MassCUE family.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and restful close to the year!
Warmly,
Grace
| | TOP 5 MASSCUE MOMENTS FROM 2025 | | |
MassCUE Fall Conference: Forward-Focused Innovation
With the theme Forward, the 2025 MassCUE Fall Conference celebrated educators, visionaries, and companies advancing teaching and learning. Thousands gathered at Gillette Stadium for two days of inspiring keynotes, interactive spaces, and educator-led sessions showcasing the best in edtech. Nonprofit partners, educators, and industry leaders came together to imagine what’s next for our schools.
Watch the Highlights
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AI Palooza: Exploring What’s Possible
The AI Palooza brought more than 60 educators to Holyoke Community College for a hands-on, future-focused day of learning. Participants explored Canva Code AI, dug into media literacy, and examined emerging tools with a creative, critical lens.
Thanks to our sponsors and presenters, the event was both inspiring and immediately actionable. Read the Recap
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Featured Educators: Spotlighting Excellence
MassCUE proudly celebrated this year’s Featured Educators—visionary classroom leaders who model innovation, creativity, and student-centered teaching. Their stories, shared throughout the year, uplifted the incredible work happening in districts across Massachusetts. Read More Here
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Book Studies: Building Community Through Shared Learning
This year’s Book Studies brought educators together to connect through meaningful professional reading. Participants dug into EdTech Essentials: 12 Strategies for Every Classroom in the Age of AI by Dr. Monica Burns and Using Technology in a Differentiated Classroom by Clare R. Kilbane and Natalie B. Milman, engaging in rich discussions and sharing classroom applications, all while deepening their practice.
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Classroom Grant Winners: Supporting Ideas That Inspire
Our 2025 MassCUE Grant Winners brought forward imaginative, student-focused projects that make a real impact in their schools. From LEGO robotics, to hands-on 3D printing projects and early coding with KIBO robots, this year’s MassCUE Classroom Grant winners used their funding to spark creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration in the classroom. Learn More Here
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“I want to make education better—to learn what kids need and what actually works." | | |
December Featured Educator: Ben Shepard
MassCUE is excited to highlight Ben Shepard, Targeted Cognitive Interventions (TCI) Curriculum Coordinator at the Carroll School.
A proud Carroll alumnus, Ben blends empathy, research, and technology to help students strengthen processing speed, working memory, and executive functioning.
His work leading action research and collaborating with the Gabrieli Lab at MIT has resulted in innovative, data-driven interventions that are reshaping cognitive education.
Ben and his team have even built custom tech tools to make cognitive data more accessible for teachers.
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Jan. 11–14, 2026: FETC 2026: MassCUE is thrilled to partner with FETC 2026, taking place Jan. 11–14, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. As an FETC partner, the MassCUE Community offer: Receive 10% off registration with group code: MASSCUE10 at checkout. Learn more and register today.
March 6, 2026: SAVE THE DATE: MassCUE Spring Leadership Conference
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209 Burlington Road, Suite 113
Bedford, MA 01730-1404
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