WIXLIB

Session Topic: Starting a High School Esports Program - BLearn about the steps involved and the process for creating a high school esports program from an established programin the state of Iowa from an experienced high school esports coach and current board member of the Iowa High SchoolEsports Association. Gain valuable information in beginning your program, and learn about some of the valuableopportunities your school and students can experience. (Audience: High School)Presenters:Nate Rodemeyer, President, Iowa High School Esports Associationnrodemeyer@iahsea.orgJohn Grunwald, District Technology Administrator, or, Fairfield Community SchoolsNate Rodemeyer – Nate is a veteran social studies teacher and in his 3rd year as a highschool esports coach. Nate is also the current President of the Iowa High School EsportsAssociation (IHSEA).John Grunwald - John grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from Luther College in 1992with a BA in Music Education. John taught vocal and general music in three differentschool districts while also working as the technology director. Also, during this time, hereceived his Master’s in Music Education from Boston University. Currently, John is theTechnology Administrator for Fairfield Community School District and is also theDesignated Esports Coordinator for the district. On the state esports level, John helped towrite the by-laws for the Iowa High School Esports Association (IAHSEA) and is finishinghis second year as the association Vice-President. This last June, he began work on anational high school esports ceremony to raise awareness and the validity of high schoolesports across the nation. In his free time, John enjoys spending time with family, takingpart in community theater and playing bagpipes with his sons.Session Topic: Epic Games and Future Careers for Educators & Esports Clubs - B/AEpic Games for Educators & Esports Clubs Interactive 3D is sweeping through the professional world at a breakneckpace. By integrating Fortnite Creative, Unreal Engine, and Twinmotion into your curriculum and esports program you canprepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. And you can do it for free. Join Co-Founders Martha and Dustin Jez of FairChance Learning, North American Epic Games, NASEF, and NAECAD Education partner to explore the intersection ofesports, game creation, and careers of the future. (Audience: High School)Presenter:Martha Jez, Founder and CEO, Fair Chance LearningDustin Jez, Co-Founder, Fair Chance ancelearning.com

Martha Dez – Martha Jez is the founder and CEO of Fair Chance Learning. She is an EdTechleader who has consulted and partnered with some the largest global technology firmsincluding Amazon, Epic, Microsoft, hp, and Micro:bit. Martha is passionate about inclusionand holds the belief that every student deserves a fair chance. She is an experiencedEdTech leader that takes every opportunity she can to inspire others to do awesomethings.Dustin Dez – Dustin Jez is the cofounder of Fair Chance Learning. Dustin focuses oneducational leadership, career pathways, and unlocking meaningful learningexperiences for educational partners. He has worked extensively with K-12 institutionsto ensure implementation of educational technology is strategic and scalable to reachall students. He is passionate about elevating opportunities and achievement foreducators and students, professional learning, and meaningful technology integration.Session Topic: Building K-12 Esports Buy-In from Critical Stakeholders - B/AWhen first starting an esports program at their school, many people start with the games and equipment purchases.This does not create large scale buy-in or program sustainability. Learn about the key stakeholders to include in youroutreach to grow your program (and budget). (Audience: High School)Presenter:James O’Hagan, Founder & CEO, Academy of Esports // Director of Digital & Virtual Learning,Racine Unified School Districtjames@taoesports.comJames O'Hagan - James is a leader in connecting and promoting esports ineducation. He has had a role in starting and growing esports teams in two largeurban school districts. He actively promotes esports as being a medium to besomething more for students beyond the games. His podcast, The Academy ofEsports delves into topics surrounding esports and education and connectinginto powerful ideas to increase student agency, motivation, and college andcareer pathways. James is a doctoral candidate at Northern Illinois University inthe field of instructional technology and an active rugby player.

Session Topic: Hardware Guide for New Programs, Doing More Than Just Gaming - B/AIn this session, Bytespeed LLC’s Esports and VR Solutions Director Josh Knutson will walk new programs throughhardware considerations when building a new esports space in their school. Through answering 4 questions (Why,Where, What, and How) you will walk away with a roadmap on what gear to start with, and what solutions are out thereto add after gaming pcs. (Audience: College and High School)Presenter:Joshua Knutson, Esports and VR Solutions Director, ByteSpeedjknutson@bytespeed.comJosh Knutson - Josh has been working in the esports field since 2016 when hewas selected as the University of Jamestown’s (ND) first Esports ProgramDirector and Head Coach. After building the program from the ground up andrunning it for 3 years, Josh changed careers and joined the team at Bytespeed inMoorhead, MN. Now, as their Esports and VR Solutions Director, he leads theteam responsible for deploying hardware and resources to both new andexisting esports programs at hundreds of schools and colleges across thecountry. Josh has been involved with NAECAD from the beginning, first as aspeaker at the very first coaching clinic, and since then an advisory boardmember proudly spreading the mission and importance of the associationSession Topic: Nutrition and Gaming: Top 6 Tips to Enhance Health & PerformanceJust like a sports car relies upon the highest quality fuel and consistent maintenance, high quality performance relies onhigh quality nutrition and attention to recovery. This session will focus on 6 nutrition tips to enhance health andperformance outcomes. Afterwards be able to identify at least 3 nutrients that may improve performance whileenhancing reaction time, and develop practical strategies for benefitting esports athletes’ overall long-term healthstatus (Audience: College and High School).Presenter:Ellen Davis, Certified Sports DietitianDavisSportsNutrition@gmail.comEllen Davis – Ellen is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics(CSSD). Working closely with high school and collegiate athletes, coaching staffs, andadministrative personnel on a daily basis, Ellen has been able to collaborate with thosewanting to use food as fuel to enhance performance and recovery. As a former division Itrack and cross-country athlete, Ellen experienced a fair amount of injury, illness, andsetbacks throughout training and competition. It was a sound nutrition plan that helpedher turn the corner and get the most out of her athletic career. Now as a trusted expert inperformance nutrition, Ellen strives to help her athletes avoid making the same mistakesshe made with fueling. Ellen is passionate about real food and the beneficial impact foodand nutrition can make on all aspects and experiences of life. (Audience: University andHigh School).

Session Topic: Building an Esport Program - From Club to Organization B/AIn their three years of leading the Missouri Scholastic Esports Federation, Tony Gragnani and Amy Harris have helpedover 100 schools start esports organizations that purposefully maximize the positive impacts of scholastic esports. Comelearn about the importance of purpose and action in creating your esports organization, and hear how Amy and Tonyhave defined their purpose and aligned their actions to benefit Missouri students. Finally, spend time reflecting anddeveloping your own purpose and actions to positively impact your organization. (Audience: High School)Presenter: Amy Harris, CTE Teacher, Treasurer, Missouri Scholastic Esports Federation (MOSEF) AmyH@mosef.orgTony Gragnani, President, Missouri Scholastic Esports Federation (MOSEF)TonyG@mosef.orgDr. Tony Gragnani – Dr. Gragnani is a gamer and an educator. He serves as principal forHickman High School in Columbia, Missouri and president of the Missouri ScholasticEsports Federation (MOSEF). MOSEF serves over 100 schools with the mission to supportthe growth of scholastic esports by providing schools with education about esports andequitable access for students to competitive leagues while promoting a safe and funexperienceAmy Harris - Amy is a mom in her tenth year of teaching CTE Computer Science, and hasbeen the adult in the room for Hart Career Center’s esports program since its inception in2016. She is also a director and the treasurer for the Missouri Scholastic EsportsFederation, and a 2021-22 NASEF Scholastic Fellow. Prior to teaching, she worked as an ITDirector and Web Developer.Session Topic: Importance of ALL Campus Engagement-Tips, Tricks & Value Adds - A/BOver the years, I have found that we can’t rely solely on having a competitive esports program. Some administrationscare about that, some don’t. Join this session as I share lessons learned, ideas and creative ways on how to engage notonly gamers on campus, but the general student through your gaming spaces, club and/or competitive programs. Wecannot silo our impact to a small sector of campus population. (Audience: College)

Presenter:Dana Hustedt, Director of Esports, Florida Institute of Technologydhustedt@fit.eduDana Hustedt - Dana is the former Director of Esports at Grand View University (1821), currently at Florida Tech where Dana will launch a new 5700 sq. foot gamingcenter for competitive, club, and casual gaming engagement on campus.Session Topic: Collegiate Recruiting from a High School Perspective - B/AA first dive into how collegiate recruiting can happen in high schools. We will discuss best practices, standardization, andhaving centralized data locations. (Audience: High School and College).Presenter: Nate Thompson, Executive Director, Indiana Esports Networknate@ihsen.infoNate Thompson - Nate Thompson is a leader in scholastic esports in both Indianaand the United States. He has started two highly successful high school programs atMunster High School and Portage High School in Indiana which includes awarding thefirst Varsity Letter in Esports while at Munster High School. This led him to creatingthe Indiana Esports Network, a place for in-state competition among high schools andmiddle schools. He has been instrumental in creating the first state specific UnifiedEsports league with Indiana Unified Esports Network. He and his team of educatorsand volunteers have created one of the best run scholastic leagues in the UnitedStates which have enabled new and diverse communities to thrive in Indiana schools.He is just this guy. You know?Session Topic: Introduction to Esports Careers (A CTE Pathway) - B/ACareers in Esports are more than just Game Developers and Pro Players! The industry needs a wide diversity of skills andpeople to fill a multitude of roles. Introduction to Esports Careers is a yearlong, Washington State OSPI CTE funded classthat gives a broad overview of 4 career clusters including: Content Creators, Strategists, Organizers, and Entrepreneurs.In this session, we will cover a curriculum that covers each cluster with a capstone project students will work towards.(Audience: High School).

Presenter:Jason Dilley, Executive Director, Washington State Scholastic Esports Association jdilley@swsd101.orgJason Dilley – Jason is a 13-year National Board-Certified Teacher. Most of his career hasbeen spent teaching Mathematics, but after developing an esports team in 2017, has beenslowly moving his teaching time into CTE classes for Esports and Broadcasting. In 2020, Jasoncreated the Washington State Scholastic Esports Association with a team of teachers toorganize high school and middle school esports in WA State.Session Topic: What’s Best for Kids? - B/ADanielle shares the collective vision of educators from around the country on the commitment to bring esports toschools in a way that's best for kids. (Audience: High School).Presenter:Danielle Johnson, Middle School Teacher, Executive Director of Texas Scholastic Esports Federation,President of Interstate Scholastic Esports AllianceDanielle@Texsef.orgDanielle Johnson - Danielle is a Middle School Technology teacher in CarrolltonFarmers Branch ISD near Dallas, Texas. She is also the Executive Director of theTexas Scholastic Esports Federation. She is passionate about designing equitableeducational systems. She is a Certified Google Innovator and Coach working tobring Esports to K12 schools. Danielle wants to help schools design esportsprograms that focus on equity, inclusion, and citizenship. Danielle is a former hostof the Esports Edu stream and podcast. She was featured in the October 2018 issueof Education Weekly and presented at ISTE in 2018 and 2019. Before teaching CTEcourses, she was a digital learning coach, taught 6th grade World Cultures, 9thgrade World Geography, and 11th grade U.S. History over her 15-year career.Danielle has a BA in journalism from Baylor University and an M.Ed. in SpecialEducation from Texas Tech University.Session Title: Emerging Considerations When Planning an Esports Environment - B/ASession Description: The beginning of any new (extra-curricular) program is exciting. Momentum is generated by gettingstarted. Once in motion, how do you ensure the program, and your esports facility, is positioned for success? Excitementand visibility surrounding esports programs is now rivaling that of many large traditional sports. Once the ribbon-cuttingis done, and esports facilities are a hub of activity, what have programs discovered? How do they maintain that visibility?What would they have done differently? Join Spectrum Industries as they take a deeper dive into esports facility designconsiderations, some of which, aren’t always front of mind as programs are kicked off. You will see some greatexamples, and some best-in-class facilities along the way. Core/critical elements when planning an esports environmentwill also be covered. (Audience: College and High School)

Presenters:Scott Dorn, D Executive Vice President, Spectrum Industriessdorn@spectrumfurniture.comBen Rassier, Business Development Manager, Spectrum Industries brassier@spectrumfurniture.comScott Dorn and Ben Rassier: Scott Dorn, Executive Vice President and Ben Rassier,Business Development Manager of Spectrum Industries, Inc. have worked witheducators, influencers, global IT and AV integrators and the A&D community to betterequip educational environments. Spectrum Industries, a Wisconsin-basedmanufacturer, has been supporting education for over 30 years, has become theleading instructional lectern provider to higher education and has created best-in-classesports spaces, across the US. Spectrum’s esports furniture solutions include tables forgeneral student access, team practice and varsity programs, esports chairs that featurehigh-weight capacity & extreme comfort, casting/shout casting stations, secureconsole gaming stations, lounge and gathering-area furnishings, mobile esports laptopcart, and custom design/build solutions for programs wanting a unique product.Organizations can build their brand by adding logos to most items. Spectrum is anadvocate for scholar gaming, has created an Esports Guidebook to help build a base ofknowledge for those considering esports programs, and is a point-guard to the esportscommunity, connecting individuals within the industry.Session Topic: Funding Strategies for Fierce Scholastic & Collegiate Esports Programs - A/BThis session will cover funding strategies for scholastic and collegiate esports programs. Grants, digital campaigns,sponsorships and other strategies will be discussed and practical applications will be discovered. (Audience: College andHigh School)Presenter:Fiona Murphy, CEO, Mother Lode Globalfionamurphynu@gmail.comFiona Murphy: Fiona is a development and community strategist with over 25 years ofconsulting experience in private, government, and non-profit sectors. Fiona is a parentadvocate for scholastic gaming and esports.

Session Topic: Engaging Parents - B/AHave you encountered parents who don’t quite understand the value of gaming or are just dead set against screentime? COPE has set out to empower youth, parents, & educators to use the gaming metaverse to build confidence,curiosity, community, & careers. (Audience: College and High School)Presenter:Chris Spikoski, CEO, Co-founder, Coalition Of Parents In Esports cspikoski@gmail.comBubba Gaeddert, Executive Director, Varsity Esports Foundation bubba@varsityesportsfoundation.orgChris Spikoski: Chris is a cofounder and CEO of Coalition Of Parents In Esports. He is aparent whose son knew from a young age that he wanted to be a YouTuber. Chris supportedand managed his son’s singular focus from a young age of do it yourself content creation tohis success as one of the most well-known young stars in esports today. He previously servedfor over 20 years as a Director for group homes for mentally disabled adults in New York. Heand his son have been passionate about the inclusiveness of online gaming for people of allabilities. Like other parents on our Board, Chris found himself helping other young gamersand their parents entering the esports scene so founding COPE seemed like a naturalprogression to being able to help even more.Bubba Gaeddert: Bubba currently is the Executive Director of the Varsity EsportsFoundation (VEF), as well as an adjunct professor in higher-ed since 2013. The VEF is a nonprofit that strives to increase literacy around esports and how to be proactive with suchinitiatives as healthy lifestyles, curriculum, mental health, diversity and inclusion, toxicity,addictions, suicide prevention, internet safety, and belonging through STEM education anddigital citizenship. Bubba has worked in the non-profit and traditional sports industry for20 years with the YMCA, NCAA, NAIA, Parks and Recs, Sports Comm

California State University (CSU) campuses. Through relationships with premium brands like the Sacramento Kings, ESL/Dreamhack, and the National Association of Esports . Donna will be receiving an MBA in Global Business and Entrepreneurship at the end of Spring 2022 from Sacramento State, where she is completing a thesis to further .