Innovate Upstate 2026

Innovate Upstate 2026

Join us as we explore the latest trends and advancements in innovation and excellence in education.

Keynote Speaker: Welcome Dr. John B. Gordon III

Dr. John B. Gordon III is the division superintendent of Suffolk (VA) Public Schools. A lifetime educator with leadership experiences in Chesterfield, Fredericksburg, and Richmond, Dr. Gordon understands how education should be customized to fit the needs of all students while expanding opportunities for their future.

As a former successful high school basketball coach, where he won numerous championships over a ten year career, he is an expert in team building and strategic planning and serves as a role model to today’s youth. Dr. Gordon was the first African-American principal at James Monroe High School and the first African American chairman of the Virginia High School League. A renowned speaker and motivator, Dr. Gordon is the author of The Teacher’s Lounge: The Real Role of Educators in Your Schools, which navigates life as an African American male in predominantly white suburbia. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University, and is president of Schools That Inspire, LLC, where he develops transformational strategies for students, teachers, and instructional leaders.

Dr. Gordon was recently named A Distinguished Alumni by Virginia Tech, and  a "2022 Superintendent to Watch" by the National School Public Relations Association. Dr. Gordon is also the President-Elect of the Virginia Alliance of Black School Educators, and the Chair for Region II. Dr. Gordon earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Virginia, a master’s of education with a concentration in social studies from the University of Virginia, a post-master’s certificate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech. He has three children, Marcus, Kennedy, and Simone.

Key Highlights:

• Interactive workshops on fostering innovation in the classroom

• Panel discussions with industry experts on achieving excellence in education

• Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals

• Showcase of innovative educational technologies

Who Should Attend:

• Educators

• Administrators

• Educational technology enthusiasts

• Researchers in the field of education

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a dynamic event that aims to inspire and empower educators to drive innovation and excellence in education!

Conference Schedule

8:00-8:30 Registration, Coffee & pastries, SJFU Catering

8:30-10:00 Opening Message and Keynote - Dr. John B. Gordon III

10:00-10:15 Break and transition to sessions

10:15-11:15 Concurrent session 1 (choose 1)

• Gen AI: Human Centered AI use, Blake Embury, Wayne-FL BOCES

• Gen AI: Everyone Can Create: Easy and Powerful AI Tools for Engaging Lessons, Rich Colosi, Monroe 2 Orleans BOCES

• Innovative Practices: From Control to Curiosity: Shifting Mindsets to Create Safe-to-Fail Classrooms, Beth Falsone, Wayne-FL BOCES

• Portrait of a Graduate: Painting the Portrait of a Graduate: K-12 Tech, SEL, and the Six Essential Competencies, Travis Wood, Fairport CSD

• Student Safety and School Security: Threat Assessment Best Practices, Steve Chatterton, Vice President of Professional Development and Risk Management

11:15-12:00 Lunch - SJFU Catering 

12:10-12:20 Transition

12:20-1:20

Concurrent session 2 (choose 1)

• Gen AI: The AI Question: Are We Managing Change or Transforming Learning? Nate Ruder, Fairport CSD

• Innovative Practices: Experiential Learning in Action: The Mosaic Approach, Jackie Tiermini, Finger Lakes Community College

• Portrait of a Graduate: Adopt, Adapt, Align: Proactively Preparing for the New York Portrait of a Graduate Through Digital Portfolios, Holly Drahms, Clyde-Savannah CSD & Jordan Lewis, Spaces EDU

• Student Safety and School Security: From Foundations to Futures: Advancing School Safety Districtwide, Julia Solan, Newark CSD & Susan Hasenauer, Jose Otero, Mike Ishler, Jack Freer, Newark CSD

1:20-1:30 Transition

1:30-2:30 Concurrent session 3 (choose 1)

• Gen AI: Raising the AIQ(Artificial Intelligence Quotient): A District's Strategic AI Roadmap, Joe Montemaro, Webster Central Schools

• Innovative Practices: Grow and Retain Your Best Teachers: Collaboration, Support and Accountability, Eric Vaillancourt, Bloomfield CSD

• Innovative Practices: Connected Learning: Harnessing Human & Artificial Intelligence to Drive Strategic Action and Build a Culture of Excellence, Chris Barnard, Manchester-Shortsville CSd & Erica Ebert, Wayne-FL BOCES

• Portrait of a Graduate: Entering the Workforce with Confidence, Leah Leverich, Host of the Decision of the Day Podcast & Jackie Tiermini, Finger Lakes Community College

• Student Safety and School Security: Safe, Smart, and Electric: The Next Generation of School Transportation, First Student

2:30-2:40 Transition

2:40-3:30 Individual Strand Intentional Closures

• Generative AI    

• Innovative Practices

• Portrait of a Graduate

• Student Safety and School Security

Thank you to our sponsors: