Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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8:30am CDT

Keynote - Designing for What’s Next: When the Answer is Easy, Thinking Matters More

Monday July 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:50am CDT

As artificial intelligence makes answers instant, the real challenge isn’t access to information…It’s how
we design for human thinking. This keynote explores how risk-taking, failure, mindfulness, and intentional design help
learners and leaders move beyond compliance toward true agency. Rather than focusing on how to use AI, the talk
reframes what humans do best: ask better questions, take risks, reflect deeply, and navigate uncertainty. The future
doesn’t need faster answers, it needs better thinkers.

Presenters

Carl Hooker

Keynote Speaker, Hooker Technology

Carl Hooker is an educator, consultant and speaker from Austin, TX. He spent the past 27 years as a teacher and administrator supporting the he has held a wide range of roles. From teacher to administrator, he’s always had one common belief – that kids need to drive their own... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:50am CDT
Cafeteria/Auditorium

10:00am CDT

Mind vs. Machine

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Cafeteria/Auditorium

In the ultimate battle for AI supremacy, humans will put various AI tools through a series of challenges
and see which one creates the best output. Chatbots, image generators, and more compete in this interactive
Promptetition to see which tools are truly the best and which we should toss aside.

Presenters

Carl Hooker

Keynote Speaker, Hooker Technology

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Cafeteria/Auditorium

Artificial Intelligence

Level All Teachers, Administrators, Librarians

12:00pm CDT

ZENgaged: Effective Approaches for Teaching the Anxious Generation

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Cafeteria/Auditorium

To ban or not to ban? That is the question when it comes to cell phones in the classroom. Now more
than ever, educators need to be equipped with strategies to address student anxiety through techniques and effective classroom management. Learn how to implement practices
that build resilience, and strategies for students to reduce distractions and anxiety. This session provides actionable
insights to create a calm, focused learning environment where students can thrive emotionally and academically. Join
us to discover how to transform anxious energy into positive engagement, fostering a supportive classroom culture
for the Anxious Generation.

Presenters

Carl Hooker

Keynote Speaker, Hooker Technology

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Cafeteria/Auditorium

Behavior

Level All Teachers, Counselors

1:00pm CDT

Nailed IT! Ed Tech Edition

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Cafeteria/Auditorium

In this highly interactive session, attendees will work to complete a series of challenges in a short time
limit to see if they “Nailed it”. This session builds on the framework that taking risks can be a good thing when it
comes to creating and sharing ideas. Attendees will walk away with strategies to use in their schools when it comes
to engaging learners and getting them to take risks.

Presenters