Marco Antonio Torres has taught high school for ten years, and has been media coach and education technology director for San Fernando High School, one of the nation’s largest urban schools in Los Angeles. In addition to his work in the classroom, Marco Torres is also a professional filmmaker and photographer who uses these digital storytelling skills to add value to his curriculum. He has been recognized locally and internationally, including being honored as a California Teacher of the Year for his accomplishments in the classroom and for the use of technology to empower minority students. In 2009, he received the National Innovation Award at the Education Inaugural Ball. Torres is an advocate for more collaboration between the media arts world and education and was recruited to serve as a board member for the George Lucas Educational Foundation to promote digital technology. He involves all learners; students, teachers, administrators, politicians, and government and business leaders. Torres has presented at numerous conferences throughout the world and his practical workshops help teachers push their teaching and learning to new exciting levels. In addition, many television, radio, online magazines, books, and news periodicals have highlighted his media rich program.
: All conference attendees are invited to a special Thursday Keynote.
Get there early, as space is limited.
Thursday Keynote - Marco Torres
Quit, Complain, or Innovate
Are we utilizing all of the channels necessary and or available to make sure (we and) our students are learning? With the changing world and everything the changes are offering - is teaching and learning evolving? Marco will engage you in a conversation on how learning and the use of personalized multimedia are providing students with options to help build innovative experiences for student and teacher a like. Creativity is not just a cute word anymore-- its a differentiator at a time where ingenuity is a key component to survive and excel during this economic funk. As teachers, were left to ask this very essential question now: WILL YOU QUIT, WILL YOU CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN, or WILL YOU INNOVATE
Diane Ravitch is an historian of education at New York University. Her best-selling book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System, has made her one of the nation’s most sought after speakers on current issues. She is a graduate of Houston public schools, Wellesley College, and holds a PhD from Columbia University. She has received nine honorary doctorates and many awards for her scholarship. She served as Assistant Secretary of Education for Research and Improvement in the administration of President George H.W. Bush and was appointed to two terms on the National Assessment Governing Board by the Clinton administration. She lives in New York City.
: All conference attendees are invited to a special General Session Friday morning. Join us after the Keynote for an opportunity to win an Epson Brightlink interactive projector!
We will also be honoring CUE members and friends through our annual CUE Awards Recognition. Attendees will also get a glimpse of the future as we introduce the 2012 Board of Directors nominees.
Get there early, as space is limited.
Opening Keynote - Diane Ravitch
Disrupting Class: The Promise and Perils of Technology in Education
Randy Nelson has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the University of Santa Clara. As a teenager, a passion for animation led him to computer programming. He has taught software development for the last 35 years
Randy was one of the founders of the juggling group the Flying Karamazov Brothers, and worked in live theater, film and television for more than a decade. His credits include co-writer, co-director and co-star of three Broadway shows, performances in the White House and for the President at the Kennedy Center, a role in the feature film 'Jewel of the Nile,' and the opportunity to represent the United States at two Olympic Arts Festivals.
Randy worked as a computer animator and producer for Pizza Time Theater, led developer training for NeXT Computer, created the developer program for the Apple and IBM multimedia joint venture Kaleida Labs, published the entry-level training book on Java at Sun, and was a senior instructional designer for Apple Computer.
At Pixar Animation Studios, Randy created Pixar University and was its Dean for more than a dozen years. When Disney/Pixar President Ed Catmull was recently asked by Fortune Magazine what he was proudest of in his many accomplishments at Pixar, Ed replied, “Pixar University.”
Most recently, Randy taught at Carnegie Mellon University in its Entertainment Technology Center, and created collaboration, staff development and leadership programs for Black Rock Studios, Brighton-based video game leader.
Today Randy uses his art, film, theater, animation, software, training and juggling experience daily as the head of DreamWorks Education, providing training and education for all of DreamWorks’ employees.
Randy writes, consults and looks for splendid problems to help solve.
: All conference attendees are invited to our Closing Keynote Saturday afternoon. Gather as a community to reflect on your conference experience.
Get there early, as space is limited.
Closing Keynote - Randy Nelson
Programming as the fourth "R"
