KEYNOTE SPEAKER
KRISTINA ISHMAEL (She/Her)
Kristina Ishmael is an educator, learner, advocate, and agent of change. She is the Deputy Director of the Office of Ed Tech leading the office in its vision and execution of priorities focused on improving teaching and learning.
Ishmael most recently worked as an educational consultant where she supported educators, schools, and nonprofits as they navigated new learning environments and worked towards equitable access and opportunities for every learner. Additionally, she was the Sr. Research Fellow on New America’s Teaching, Learning, & Tech team where she advised on the inclusive technology portfolio at the intersection of open education, digital equity, and culturally responsive and sustaining education.
She previously served in the Office of Ed Tech as the K-12 Open Education Fellow leading the #GoOpen initiative. Prior to that role, Ishmael was the Nebraska Department of Education’s Digital Learning Specialist where she supported policy development, led professional learning, and advocated for school librarians. This experience granted her a unique perspective on leveraging educational technology in urban, suburban, and rural school systems. Kristina started as an early childhood and elementary teacher of emerging bilingual students in Omaha, Nebraska.