The city of brotherly love didn’t disappoint! I was in Philadelphia in June for ISTE Live 23, and I am excited to bring you an update on the incredible experience I had at the tech conference for educators. The unofficial theme of the event was diversity and inclusion, which truly shone through in every aspect, making it a memorable and impactful gathering.

From the moment we stepped inside, we were welcomed by amazing individuals representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We were introduced to some incredible voices who were eager to share their stories.

Throughout the event, the speakers from the Voice Alliance cohorts captivated the audience with their passion and insights. Brian Romero Smith,  Marcus Star, Leticia Citizen, Kika Drake, Shaina Glass, Natalia LeMoyne Hernandez, and Dr. Toutoule Ntoya shared their lived experiences and highlighted the importance of amplifying voices that have historically been underrepresented. Their presence on the main stage was not just historic, but a powerful reminder of the progress we can make when we come together. 

A key takeaway was the immense power of representation and inclusion in enabling all students to feel valued and empowered to achieve their potential. While at ISTE, I interviewed Dr. Kimberly Moss and Dr. Danielle Williams. On the podcast, they highlighted, the importance of  curriculum and tools that reflect diverse populations. Williams shared how the inclusive technology implemented at her university caters to ethnically diverse groups. In addition, seeing themselves reflected in their educators boosts students’ confidence and motivation.

As well as Drs. Moss and Williams, I spoke with other educators I met at ISTE Live 23 about their perspective on diversity and how this year’s  conference demonstrated a wholehearted effort to make tech fields inclusive.

The event left us all with relevant and inspiring messages around embracing diversity to enrich education, persisting despite obstacles, and drawing strength from community.

—William Jeffery is curating Flipboard EDU Podcast

William “Coach” Jeffery is an award-winning digital learning educator and director of assistant principals leadership academies at Houston ISD in Texas. His tech pedagogy continues to drive him to curate educational content on Flipboard that highlights teaching strategies, edtech, and ways to improve student success. He hosts the “Flipboard EDU Podcast” as yet another way to share resources with peers.