FETC 2027 names classroom track leaders focused on practical AI use

FETC has named four education leaders for its 2027 Classroom Leaders Track, highlighting hands-on strategies for teachers who are adopting AI and other classroom technology. The announcement comes as the conference points to a gap between expected AI use and teacher confidence ahead of FETC 2027 in Orlando.

Why it matters: - FETC is trying to narrow the gap between classroom technology adoption and teacher confidence. - The conference cited a sharp mismatch: 85% of teachers are expected to use AI in the 2024-25 school year, but only 30% feel confident using it. - The Classroom Leaders Track is built around practical strategies teachers can apply immediately.

What happened: - FETC announced four featured speakers for the 2027 Classroom Leaders Track. - The featured speakers are Christina (Tina) Nuñez, John Meehan, Bonnie Nieves and Marcia Kish. - FETC 2027 runs Jan. 26-29 in Orlando, Florida. - Registration is open at fetc.org, and group discounts are available for teams of three or more.

The details: - Nuñez is an EdTech and professional learning specialist at Albuquerque Public Schools. - Nuñez is a Google Certified Trainer, ISTE Certified Educator, Apple Certified Coach and MagicSchool AI Ambassador, and has 21 years in education. - Nuñez’s sessions focus on tools educators can actually use. - Meehan is a teacher, author and co-founder of EMC² Learning. - Meehan is an English teacher, instructional coach and nationally recognized voice on student engagement and gamification. - Meehan is an ASCD Emerging Leader and a Gates Foundation Teacher Advisory alumnus. - Nieves is a consultant and founder of Educate On Purpose. - Nieves is a former STEM teacher who specializes in AI in education, phenomena-driven science and student-led classrooms. - Nieves builds curriculum designed to be practical, culturally responsive and ready for implementation. - Kish is an instructional coach and author at DSD Professional Development. - Kish wrote Student Engagement by Design and AI in the Classroom Starter Kit. - Kish works with schools nationwide to build blended, personalized learning environments grounded in data-driven small groups and classroom systems. - The track is part of a broader lineup that includes concurrent sessions, roundtables and hands-on workshops on technology-infused pedagogy.

Between the lines: - FETC is positioning the Classroom Leaders Track as a response to teacher demand for usable, classroom-ready guidance rather than abstract ed-tech talk. - Chair Jennifer Womble framed the mission as helping teachers redesign learning while still managing immediate classroom needs. - The conference is also signaling that professional learning for teachers should be as intentional and practical as the instruction teachers are expected to deliver.

What’s next: - The four featured speakers will appear at FETC 2027 in Orlando. - More classroom experts will present throughout the conference in sessions, roundtables and workshops. - FETC attendees can register now and seek team pricing for groups of three or more.

The bottom line: - FETC 2027 is betting that the fastest way to improve classroom technology use is to give teachers concrete, immediately usable strategies from practitioners who are still working in real schools.