ACTEM 2026 Fall Conference

39th Annual Education Technology Conference

Oct. 15-16, 2026  •  Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME

Attendee Registration

Attendee Registration will open in early Summer. Be sure to join the ACTEM Listserv / Google Group for the latest updates.

Note: There are options for registration for one day or two days.

Exhibitor Registration

Exhibitor Registration will open in mid-May. This Exhibitor Information Packet includes important information about ways to connect with attendees and sponsor the conference. 

Exhibitors who purchase a workshop session can provide their information for the program using this form.

Friday Keynote Speaker -  Chris Lehmann

Chris is the founding principal and CEO of the Science Leadership Academy Schools, a network of three progressive inquiry-driven and project-based schools in Philadelphia, PA. Since 2012, the school has been the Dell Center of Excellence for Technology in Education, and was featured in the PBS documentary “Digital Media: New Learners for the 21st Century.” In 2013, Chris co-founded the non-profit, Inquiry Schools, to help more schools create more empowering, modern learning experiences for students, and served as Superintendent and Chair of the Board. From 2015 - 2018, Chris served as the founding Assistant Superintendent of Innovation for the School District of Philadelphia while still serving as Principal of Science Leadership Academy-Center City.

Chris is the 2014 winner of the McGraw Prize in Education. From 2022 through 2025, Metro Philadelphia has named Chris the Best Principal in Philadelphia. In 2019, the National Association of Secondary School Principals recognized Chris as the Digital Principal of the Year. During 2016 and 2017, Chris served on Scholastic’s National Advisory Council. In June 2013, Chris was named Outstanding Leader of the Year by the International Society of Technology in Education, and in November of 2012, Chris was named one of Dell’s #Inspire100 – one of the 100 people changing the world using Social Media.  He has written for many education publications and has spoken at conferences all over the world, including TEDxPhilly, TEDxNYED, and the International Society of Technology in Education Conference and has worked with schools all over the country. Chris is co-author of Building School 2.0: How to Create the Schools We Need, author of the education blog Practical Theory: http://www.practicaltheory.org and father to Jakob and Theo.

Friday Featured Speaker -  Carl Hooker

Carl has been an educator for over 25 years and has been part of a strong educational shift with thoughtful technology integration ever since his first day stepping into the classroom. From his start as a teacher all the way through becoming a district leader, he’s always held one common belief – the kids need to drive their own learning. Carl brings this background as well as a wealth of practical tools and ideas that teachers can use in their classroom tomorrow.

Spotlight Speaker -  Kern Kelley

Kern Kelley is the Technology Integrator at Maine Regional School Unit #19. He has provided support to educators for over two decades and conducted professional development across six continents and throughout the U.S. He advises a student produced technology show for the Maine Department of Education found atMLTI.me and attends conferences with his student presenters, the Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine. He authored the Google Apps Guidebook with his students and is married with two sons.

Spotlight Speaker -  Nicole Lesperance

Nicole Lesperance is a Technology Integration Specialist and Training Coordinator for the Mt. Blue Regional School District. A veteran educator with over 20 years of experience, Nicole taught first and second grade and served as a technology coach prior to her current role. She is dedicated to elevating educators and students through intentional technology use. Nicole leads PreK–12 digital initiatives and works to integrate computer science into the curriculum with computational thinking at the heart of everything. She is a fierce advocate for "process over product" when it comes to Artificial Intelligence, helping educators leverage tools to illuminate student thinking. Over the years, she has built an impressive portfolio of credentials, including Apple Learning Coach, Magic School Pioneer, Seesaw Certified Educator, Google Certified Educator, and Clever Certified Tech Coach, to name a few. In recognition of her impact in the classroom, Nicole has also been twice nominated for Maine Teacher of the Year. 

Spotlight Speaker -  Jeff Bailey

Jeff Bailey is a technology teacher at Mountain Valley High School. He teaches Computer Science and technology electives and serves as the co-advisor of the Civil Rights Team. He spent ten years as an English teacher at MVHS before switching to technology. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington, a Master of Science in Educational Technology, and a Graduate Certificate in Computational Thinking from the University of Maine. Jeff is also an adjunct instructor in the UMaine Graduate Education program, focusing on Computer Science and Computational Thinking. He was also the 2014 Oxford County Teacher of the Year and Lawrence O'Toole Award recipient. He lives in Jay, Maine, with his wife and daughter. He stays busy mentoring a local high school robotics team, running tabletop and role-playing games, and performing with his improv comedy troupe, Teachers Lounge Mafia.

Spotlight Speaker -  Dan Ryder

Dan Ryder is a veteran classroom educator and Director of Design & Innovation at Community Regional Charter School, a free, public pre-K-12 school in rural central Maine.  He formerly served as Co-Founder and Education Director of the SUCCESS & INNOVATION CENTER at MT BLUE CAMPUS, an empathy-fueled makerspace + mentoring space for all students and faculty. 

In addition to his daily classroom practice, he has served as a design, development and delivery consultant for theUS Department of State's Office of English Language Programs, writer of PANELS & PERSPECTIVES: Creating Comics in the EFL Classroom and developor of Critical Creativity in Action, a 40-card deck of learning activities using creative expression with editor, Jacquie Gardy.  He also co-authoredINTENTION: Critical Creativity in the Classroom with his good friend, Amy Burvall, and performs improv comedy with his team, Teachers Lounge Mafia. 

Dan received the 2019 Horace Mann NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence and was invited to share his vision for empathy-driven education at TEDxDirigo.  He serves on the Advisory Board for SXSW EDU and shares his work with schools, organizations and conferences around the world.

Agenda

A list of breakout sessions and their descriptions will be available in late Spring.

Board Game Night

There will be a late afternoon Board game session on Thursday after the awards ceremony from 4:30 - 6:00pm. People are welcome to drop in during that time. Snacks and drinks will be available. Bring your favorite board game or choose from dozens of others we will have available!

Join us for the 5th Annual After Hours Event!

Carl Hooker returns for the 5th Annual After Hours Event! Join us from 6:00pm - 11pm for food, networking, a fun challenges that will have you engaged in several activities across the Civic Center, and more!