Before I dive into this recap of ISTE & ASCD 2025, I want to pause and acknowledge the devastating flooding that has impacted San Antonio and so many surrounding communities in Central Texas. As a local, it’s heartbreaking to see familiar places overwhelmed by rising waters and even more devastating to hear about the lives lost, including many children at summer camps along the Guadalupe River. My deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and communities grieving unimaginable loss. While many traveled here for learning, celebration, and connection, I know others are currently navigating tragedy, cleanup, and recovery. If you’re reading this and unaware of what’s happening, I encourage you to take a moment to learn more, support where you can, and hold these communities in your thoughts. Texas is strong, but we could all use a little more compassion and care right now.
🙏🏼
Leadership Exchange: Kicking Off with Purpose
There’s something powerful about starting a conference not behind a booth, but at the front of a conversation. I had the honor of moderating a panel at the ISTE Leadership Exchange, and let me tell you—it wasn’t your typical sit-and-soak discussion. With panelists like Dr. Regina A. Etter, Dr. Adam Phyall, Collin Mattingly, and Samantha Shinsky, we dove into a topic that’s been weighing heavy on school leaders: how we address absenteeism through purpose-driven learning, CTE, and student engagement.
As someone who works with schools and educators across the country, I see the disconnect students often feel when their learning doesn’t feel relevant. This panel reminded me that CTE isn’t just about careers—it’s about connection. We talked less about seat time and more about meaningful time, and the energy in the room made it clear: leaders are ready to shift the narrative.
Reflection: Kicking things off with this session set the tone for me. We weren’t just here for tech. We were here for transformation.
EdTech Bites Walking Food Tour: Where Tacos Meet Tech Talk
That evening, it was time to take off the badge lanyards and put on our stretchy pants. The EdTech Bites Walking Food Tour, sponsored by Class Companion, was not just a social event—it was an experience. I took 30 attendees to my favorite local food spots, starting with a group photo at the Alamo (because if you didn’t take a photo at the Alamo, did you even ISTE?).
We hit:
- Mi Corazón Street Tacos – where the tacos are authentic and the salsas are spicy, just the way I like them. This wasn’t your typical, overpriced Tex-Mex food!
- Bombay Bicycle Club – a spot that surprises people with its Scotch eggs, old-school burgers, classic comfort food, and the CLEANEST restrooms will find in San Antonio.
- Paletería San Antonio – because no night in San Antonio is complete without paletas and chamoy.
I created this tour because I know conferences can be overwhelming and, frankly, impersonal. I wanted to offer something local, something with heart. We had incredible conversations between bites—tech directors connecting with classroom teachers, coaches brainstorming new ideas—all while walking under the San Antonio skyline.
Reflection: I realized that when you pair tacos with tech talk, people let their guard down and real relationships form. That’s the kind of PD you don’t forget.
The Sprint Between Podcast and Panel: Keeping It Real
The next day was a whirlwind. I recorded a live episode of the Smile Factor Podcast with Matthew X. Joseph and Jaime Donally (Laurie Guyon was presenting elsewhere), and minutes later, Jaime and I had to sprint to make it to our next event: the EdTech & AI Power Hour panel moderated by Vicki Davis.
This panel was STACKED with legends: Rachelle Dene Poth, Eric Curts, Victoria Thompson, Mike Tholfsen, Alice Keeler, and my sprinting partner Jaime Donally. Despite the rush, the conversation was rich. We talked about meaningful ways to integrate AI into everyday instruction—not as a replacement for teachers, but as a partner in planning, feedback, and engagement. Check out our EdTech and AI Powerhour Slidedeck and what we cooked up for this amazing panel presentation.
Reflection: There was a moment during this panel when I looked out at the audience and saw the nods, the note-taking, the “aha” expressions. That’s when I knew: this wasn’t hype. Educators are ready for the next level of AI integration. They just need the right community and guidance.
Vicki “Cool Cat Teacher” Davis
Podcast Marathon at the ClassDojo Booth
Shoutout to ClassDojo for Districts for turning their booth into my temporary recording studio. I set up shop and recorded seven podcast episodes back-to-back. It was intense, but so worth it. Each guest brought something different to the table:
- Chad Stevens – walked us through how ClassDojo for Districts is scaling up for districts.
- Kristen Brooks – shared incredible ways AI is transforming student learning experiences.
- Becky Keene – talked about her new book AI Optimism and why mindset matters.
- Miranda Kechum – gave a real-world view into districtwide Dojo implementation.
- Jennifer Casa-Todd – spoke passionately about amplifying student voice.
- Steve Sherman – brought a global lens from South Africa on edtech and equity.
- Brett Salakas – gave insight on AI adoption in Australia, its implications, and how Frankenstein and AI are related.
Reflection: Recording live at ISTE reminded me how valuable these face-to-face conversations are. There’s something special about capturing educator stories in real time, with conference energy buzzing all around. This is why I DO NOT do remote interviews. Nothing beats the in-person energy!
Signed Books & Selfies: The ClassLink Author Experience 📚✨
One of the most memorable moments of ISTE 2025 for me—as both an educator and an author—was being part of the ClassLink-sponsored book giveaway featuring authors from the X-Factor EDU publishing family. ClassLink went above and beyond by putting our books directly into the hands of educators who were eager to grow, reflect, and implement new ideas.
My book, Cooking Up Experiences in the Classroom, was gifted alongside several other incredible titles, and we—yes, the authors ourselves—were there in person to sign copies, chat with readers, and take pics with the folks who received them. It wasn’t just a “grab and go” book drop. It was an experience.
Seeing educators light up when they realized they were getting a signed copy from the author was something special. We weren’t just handing out books—we were building bridges between ideas and implementation, and creating moments that truly stuck.
It was also a great chance to connect with fellow X-Factor EDU authors who are pushing boundaries in their own corners of education. The conversations, the laughs, the shared mission—it reminded me that we’re all writing different chapters of the same story: one where learning is memorable, meaningful, and maybe even a little delicious.
Reflection: Giving someone a book is great. But giving them your story—face-to-face, signed with a message, and backed by a community—that’s something they carry home long after the conference ends.
The X-Factor EDU Author Team
(There’s More, They Just Didn’t Attend ISTE This Year)
Let’s Talk Tea: HTeaO + Mojo
ClassDojo and I weren’t done yet. We teamed up again for two big social events, starting with a hydration celebration at the HTeaO Iced Tea Giveaway. They rolled up with their mobile truck and served over 800 attendees. Mojo (ClassDojo’s lovable green mascot) even made an appearance.
Reflection: It might seem like a simple refreshment booth, but the line became a networking hub. Everyone’s more open when they’ve got a cold tea in hand and the sun’s beating down on the River Walk.
EdTech Bites Lotería Night: A Cultural Remix
The second event was truly one of my proudest conference moments: EdTech Bites Lotería Night sponsored by… you guessed it… ClassDojo for Districts! I designed a custom educational version of Lotería and hosted the event at Texas Sugar Daddies, located on the Blessed Sacrament Academy campus. The venue felt authentic—a school campus filled with educators, food, and laughter.
We served:
- Authentic tacos, rice, and beans
- Texas Sugar Daddies’ famous desserts
- Prizes like Amazon and Dunkin’ gift cards, ClassDojo swag, and a QBall Pro courtesy of PEEQ
Plus, we had a selfie booth to commemorate the night. Everyone walked away with something—if not a prize, then a memory.
Reflection: This was more than a game night. It was a culturally-rooted way to bring educators together, laugh, connect, and unwind. It reminded me that when we bring our full selves—our culture, humor, and creativity—into these spaces, we create real magic.
Booth Demos That Sparked Real Conversation
In between everything else, I made time to do live demos at two booths:
- ScreenPal – where I showed how easy it is to get students podcasting in minutes.
- Snorkl – where we explored how AI-powered feedback can drive deeper classroom conversations.
And to top it off, every participant of the booth presentations walked away with a copy of my book, “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom“.
Reflection: Demos aren’t about selling tools—they’re about solving pain points. When you show teachers how to save time and boost engagement, they lean in.
Final Thoughts: What These Four Days Taught Me
I walked over 78,090 steps, but more importantly, I walked away with a renewed sense of purpose. Conferences like ISTE and ASCD aren’t just about tech—they’re about community, creativity, and finding new ways to re-engage ourselves and our students.
If you’re an educator, you should absolutely mark your calendar for next year. If you’re an edtech company, let’s talk about how we can bring more authentic, joyful, and meaningful experiences to educators around the country.
Reflection: The tools are cool. The tacos are better. But the people—that’s what keeps me coming back.
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And if you’re ready to sponsor a future food tour, podcast series, or interactive event… my inbox is open. Let’s cook up something unforgettable. Buen Provecho!