In this episode, Ellen Ullman sits down with Jennifer Womble, the driving force behind the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), to discuss what’s ahead for FETC 2026. They explore the latest trends in EdTech, the evolving needs of K-12 educators, and how FETC is shaping professional learning for the future.

Key Topics:

• The mission and year-round planning behind FETC, including deep engagement with district leaders and educators.
• Major themes for FETC 2026: AI in education, eSports, inclusion, digital literacy, and more.
• The new six-hour AI Summit, led by Holly Clark, Ken Shelton, and Matt Miller, focusing on AI literacy and practical implementation for educators.
• Spotlight on innovative tools like Kai Beam for literacy, and how AI is being embedded in classroom solutions.
• The growth of eSports in schools, its impact on student engagement, CTE pathways, and the dedicated eSports Summit at FETC.
• Inclusion as a core track, not a side topic—how assistive technology and AI-powered translation tools are making classrooms more equitable.
• FETC’s commitment to community-building, networking, and supporting educators across all roles.
• Event logistics: FETC 2026 runs January 11–14 in Orlando, with “Sub-Free Sunday” to help districts save on costs, and a mix of summits, workshops, and expo days. 

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.