Learn21's Weekly EdTech Update

October 9, 2025

The Power of Local Leadership: Why Our Schools Need Us

by Stacy Hawthorne Ed.D.

If we want to shape the future of education, we have to start in our own backyards.

Public education in the United States is, by design, local. School boards decide how resources are spent, which programs thrive, and what values guide their communities’ classrooms. These decisions don’t come from Washington or state capitals. They come from neighbors, parents, and educators who step forward to serve.

That’s what makes civic leadership so powerful. When people who understand education, care deeply about children, and believe in community engagement step up to serve on local school boards, they strengthen not only their districts but the democratic foundation of education itself.

It’s easy to underestimate how much impact a single person can have at the local level. Attending a board meeting, joining a committee, volunteering in a classroom, or even just voting in a school board election, these actions add up. They ensure that the people making decisions about our children’s schools reflect the priorities and values of the communities they serve.

One person who embodies this spirit of local leadership is my colleague and friend, Danni Tymitz. She is a lifelong educator, educational consultant, and candidate for the Mason City Schools Board of Education in Mason, Ohio. Danni’s journey represents what happens when passion meets purpose.

Certified in both elementary and special education, Danni spent a decade teaching in classrooms creating engaging, inclusive environments where every learner could thrive. Her master’s degree in Educational Technology, paired with credentials like ISTE Certified Educator and Certified EdTech Leader (CETL), reflects her deep understanding of how innovation can enhance learning.

But Danni’s leadership extends far beyond the classroom. For more than a decade, she’s worked nationally with schools and districts to design professional learning, support educators, and strengthen instructional systems. Locally, she’s served for eight years as chairperson of the Heritage Presbyterian Preschool Board. She’s also a graduate of School Board School, an initiative that helps community members understand governance, policy, and finance to serve effectively on local boards.

In short, Danni represents exactly the kind of civic leadership our schools need: informed, empathetic, and community-centered.

Whether or not you live in Mason City, her candidacy is a reminder that schools are strongest when communities are engaged. Education doesn’t thrive on the sidelines, it flourishes when we all take part.

So, attend that next school board meeting. Volunteer for a reading program. Ask your district how you can contribute. Or, like Danni, consider running for office. Because the future of public education isn’t written in distant policy—it’s written by people right here at home.

Media Literacy Minute

Reading Digital Signals With Curiosity Over Assumption

When teams communicate online, much is lost if we jump to conclusions. Training Journal argues that digital body language—like response speed, tone, chat reactions, use of emojis, or follow-up messages—offers important cues. The key is to approach these signals with curiosity, not judgment, fostering clarity and trust in virtual work.

Media Literacy Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential

School Management Plus makes the case that media literacy (the skill to question and evaluate media content) should be treated as a core life skill. With content, advertising, opinion, and fact increasingly blurred, students without these skills are vulnerable to misinformation, manipulation, and misunderstanding.

Social Media's Role in How People Get News Today

Recent data from Pew shows that about 53% of U.S. adults say they at least sometimes get news from social media, with platforms like Facebook and YouTube leading the pack. While social media’s role in news hasn’t changed drastically in recent years, its influence is stronger among younger adults and presents both opportunities and challenges for truth, trust, and engagement.

Your Guide to the 2025 ETLA Conference: Everything You Need to Know (and Why You Can’t Miss It!)

by Erica Shumaker

The wait is almost over! The EdTech Leaders Alliance Conference is just around the corner, and excitement is building as educators, technology leaders, and innovators prepare to gather in Columbus, Ohio, from October 19–21, 2025.

This year’s conference promises three days packed with visionary leadership, hands-on professional learning, and a whole lot of fun. Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning for another round of inspiration, this Q&A has everything you need to know — and why you’ll want to register this week before it’s too late!

Q: What makes the ETLA Conference a must-attend event this year?

A: ETLA isn’t just another EdTech gathering — it’s where leadership meets innovation. This year we are focusing on empowering educators to lead with vision, adapt with creativity, and build cultures that thrive through change. Over three days, attendees will experience immersive professional development, dynamic keynotes, and collaborative sessions designed to turn ideas into impact.

The best part? Every session is crafted for real-world application. You’ll walk away with tools, strategies, and inspiration you can bring back to your district immediately.

Q: When and where is it happening?

A: Mark your calendar for October 19–21, 2025, at the Ohioan Event Center & Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. It’s the perfect setting for three days of learning, networking, and a bit of well-deserved fun.

Q: Who are the keynote speakers this year?

A: Two powerhouse education leaders are taking the main stage:

Tom Burton opens Monday morning with “The Leadership Spellbook: Casting a Vision for EdTech Excellence.” He’ll share practical “spells” for cultivating creativity, embracing change, and leading with purpose — expect plenty of energy and inspiration to start your week strong.

Marlo Gaddis closes the conference with “The Leadership We Need: Culture is THE Strategy.” Her message centers on building trust, aligning teams, and creating school cultures where innovation truly takes root.

Both keynotes promise to be game-changers for anyone passionate about leading learning through technology.

Q: What kind of sessions can attendees expect?

A: The ETLA Conference lineup is designed to meet leaders where they are — and take them further. Highlights include:

CETL Workshop for Fall 2025 Study Group – Prepare for your Certified EdTech Leader credential with expert guidance.

Understanding & Implementing Ohio’s New Tech Standards – Explore the latest updates and practical strategies for district-wide success.

Sustainable Implementation Frameworks – Build lasting systems that keep tech initiatives moving forward.

ETLA Certified Coach Program – Learn how Forward Edge’s Core of Coaching model empowers instructional leaders.

ISTE Leadership Workshops & SB29 Data Privacy Sessions – Stay ahead on best practices and legislation.

Each session blends leadership, strategy, and collaboration — ensuring that learning extends beyond the conference walls.

Q: Is there time for networking and fun?

A: Absolutely! ETLA has a well-earned reputation for blending professional learning with unforgettable experiences. The social events are as energizing as the sessions themselves:

TopGolf Kickoff (Sunday, 3–5 PM) – Start your conference swinging with some lighthearted competition.

Mixtape Madness Karaoke Night (Sunday, 6:30–9:30 PM) – Grab the mic, relive your favorite hits, and connect with new friends.

Let’s Glow Crazy Dance Party (Monday, 8:30–10:30 PM) – Glow sticks, neon, and good vibes all around.

Giant Pac-Man & Vendor Hall (All Conference Long) – Explore new tools, meet vendors, and unleash your inner gamer.

It’s professional learning with personality — the perfect blend of growth and good times.

Q: Why should I register now?

A: Because seats are filling fast! The conference is just two weeks away and this year’s program is already generating major buzz. Whether you’re pursuing your CETL, leading district tech initiatives, or simply looking to recharge your leadership batteries, ETLA 2025 is the place to be.

Don’t miss your chance to join a community of passionate, forward-thinking educators who are shaping the future of EdTech.

Q: What’s the one thing attendees will take away from ETLA 2025?

A: A sense of clarity, connection, and courage. The ETLA Conference isn’t just about new tools or trends — it’s about building the kind of leadership that transforms schools. Attendees leave with actionable strategies, a network of supportive peers, and a renewed belief in what’s possible.

A Final Word

The EdTech Leaders Alliance Conference is more than an event — it’s a movement. It’s where creativity meets leadership, collaboration sparks innovation, and educators come together to chart the future of learning.

Join us in Columbus this October to learn, lead, and glow.

Big Ideas

A terminal command that tells you if your USB-C cable is bad

Want to know if that USB cable is really bad? Bloggers developed a simple terminal command to let you know if the issue really is your USB cable!

A Decision Map of the Mouse Brain

For the first time, scientists have mapped how a mouse brain makes decisions, neuron by neuron. This breakthrough could unlock insights into how choices form in all brains, human included. If we can trace thought itself, what new possibilities open up for neuroscience, AI, and even philosophy?

A Bold Alzheimer’s Reversal Trial

Retro Biosciences, backed by Sam Altman, is launching a clinical trial aimed at reversing Alzheimer’s disease. Their approach targets cellular aging as a root cause, not just symptoms. It’s an audacious bet. If it works, it could transform not only Alzheimer’s treatment but how we think about aging itself.