Two Days That Moved Us Forward
On Oct. 14 and 15, 2026 over 2,000 educators, leaders, students, and partners filled Gillette Stadium in Foxboro for the 2026 MassCUE Fall Conference. This year's theme, "Forward and Beyond," asked a simple question: where do we take teaching and learning next, and how do we get there together?
From keynotes to student-led panels to a packed Exhibit Hall & G-P Atrium, the answer came from every corner of the stadium. Here is a look back at what made this year's MassCUE Fall Conference one to remember.
Keynotes and speakers who led the way
Dr. Kip Glazer opened the conference on Wednesday with her keynote, "Beyond the Framework: Leading AI with Your Humanity Intact." Drawing on her work as principal of Mountain View High School and author of Ready to Lead with AI: A Practical Guide for School Leaders, she challenged attendees to lead with their judgment and values, not the tech. She followed up with a fireside chat where attendees brought their own questions.
Matt Miller opened Thursday with "Screens: Teaching Humans in a Tech-Obsessed, AI-Saturated World," a keynote that traded hype and fear for the real calls teachers make every day. He also sat down for a fireside chat to keep the conversation going.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, Robert LePage, Assistant Secretary of Career Education in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education, joined us during lunch. We are grateful he made time to connect with Massachusetts educators.
Each day, Spotlight Speakers Shannon McClintock Miller and Starr Sackstein took on library leadership and student-led assessment.
Our Featured Speakers, classroom educators and consultants selected through our Call for Proposals, included Debbie Tannenbaum, Donnie Piercey, Dr. Matthew Joseph, Jessica Garbowski, and Tanika Perry-Vincent. Thank you to every one of them for sharing their expertise with our community.
Celebrating our 2026 award recipients
We were proud to honor this year's MassCUE award recipients at the Fall Conference.
Pathfinder Award
- Jacqueline Marie Collins, Business & Technology Teacher, Mansfield Public Schools, turned her classroom into a makerspace and entrepreneurship program where students run real businesses and have donated more than $19,000 to charity.
- Elizabeth Voci, Instructional Technology Specialist, Dartmouth Public Schools, is a Google Certified Innovator and Champion known for sharing what's possible with emerging tools and lifting up the work of others.
Administrator Award
- Ryan Robidoux, Director of Learning and Innovation, Mendon-Upton Regional School District, designed human-centered AI guidelines through the PEAΒ²K program and helps shape statewide AI policy as a member of the DESE AI Task Force.
Shelley Chamberlain Community Service Award
- Gail Ross-McBride has spent four decades making technology meaningful for students, from launching Cambridge's School of the Future to serving as MassCUE's first Vendor Coordinator, Conference Chair, and Vice President.
- Jim Flanagan, Executive Director, METAA, brings technology leaders together across Massachusetts and has championed educational technology at the state and national levels, including as Chief Operating and Strategy Officer at ISTE.
Congratulations to all of our honorees, and thank you for everything you do for students and educators.
A program built by our community
This year's program started with the largest Call for Proposals pool in MassCUE history: more than 300 session submissions from educators across Massachusetts and beyond. Our reviewers worked through every one of them to build a lineup that reflected the full range of our community, from classroom teachers and librarians to technology directors and district leaders.
Highlights included a dedicated track in partnership with CAST's UDL-CON, bringing Universal Design for Learning front and center, along with sessions on the topics shaping classrooms and districts today. Authors also joined us for book signings throughout the conference, giving attendees a chance to meet the people behind the ideas.
Between sessions, attendees booked MassCUE 1:1 Connections, focused 15-minute conversations with experienced mentors. On Wednesday, technology directors from across the state joined MassCUE and METAA for the Tech Director Luncheon, a sit-down with peers and board members.
A special thank you to Rayna Freedman, our Fall Conference program lead,Β the entire fall conference programming committee, and to every presenter who shared their time and expertise.
Students at the center
Some of the most memorable moments came from students themselves. Student Ignite talks on the G-P Atrium Stage and our student panel sessions gave young people the floor to share their work, and they reminded everyone in the room why this work matters.
Behind the scenes, the MassCa Student Volunteers kept the conference running smoothly. These students served as Suite Ambassadors and their energy was felt in every hallway. Thank you for showing up for your teachers and for each other.
In the G-P Atrium, Dean College student Ben Gilman brought back his "Ben on the Street" videos, catching up with student presenters to hear what they built and what they learned. Keep an eye on our social channels for the full series.
Exploring the latest in Edtech
The Exhibit Hall was busier than ever, with exhibitors on the main floor, in the G-P Atrium, and at nonprofit tables in the Red Level Mezzanine. Attendees explored new tools, swapped ideas with vendors, and built the kind of connections that only happen face to face.
Beyond the booths, our special areas gave attendees even more ways to learn, connect, and recharge:
- G-P Atrium Stage, hosted by Carl Hooker, with educator panels and student Ignite talks.
- CAST UDL-CON, brand new this year, with two full days on inclusive, trauma-informed practice.
- Educator Playground for hands-on AI, STEM, and accessibility work.
- CDW Esports Arena with live gameplay.
- Gym for the Brain, sponsored by Knowt, featuring activities developed by #SameHere Global, furniture provided by MooreCo, and AV support by TouchView.
- Future Ready Librarians Court, sponsored by Literati and led by Shannon McClintock Miller and Lia Dossin of All4Ed.
- Tech Department Future Ready Office, sponsored by Avidex.
- Drawn Together Hub: The Doodle Booth Experience, where illustrator Manuel Herrera created one-of-a-kind portraits.
- Professional Headshots, sponsored by B&H Photo Video.
- MassCUE Bookstore and Shop, MassCUE Panels and Perspectives, and the Chill and Charge Lounge.
Thank you, and what comes next
A conference this size only happens because of people who give their time. Thank you to our volunteers, our board, our presenters, our partners, the team at Gillette Stadium, and every attendee who came ready to learn and share.
The conversation does not end here. Missed a session or want to revisit one? Visit our Presenter Materials site to find and download materials shared by this year's presenters.
We will see you next year at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 20-21, 2027.
