Meagan Alfano

Science Curriculum Specialist

Meagan brings a decade of educational experience, most recently igniting middle schoolers' passion for STEM in Alberta, Canada. A Google Certified Innovator, she uses design thinking to create real-world, community-driven STEM experiences. Coding, Micro:bit, Makey Makey, 3D modelling, and robotics are her tools.

Beyond the classroom, Meagan empowers educators as a Canva Educator and Quizzizz GameChanger. Her infectious enthusiasm spills over into her edtech chat show, EdTechAM, and website, LearnOUThere, where she crafts innovative programs that blend technology and design thinking for authentic learning.

Kate Kogge

STEM Education Specialist & Program Manager

Kate is an Innovation Specialist at the University of Virginia’s Innovation Hub, where she helps students and teachers build creativity, confidence, and problem-solving skills through computationally-rich, project-based learning. Her work integrates technology, design, and community partnerships to make innovation accessible to all learners within Charlottesville City Schools.

Before joining UVA, Kate led national STEM education initiatives with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, where she designed and facilitated educator professional learning programs for a range of content areas. 

A former middle school science teacher and Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, Kate is passionate about connecting classrooms, communities, and cutting-edge science. She holds a B.S. in Integrated Science and Technology and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from James Madison University.

Julian Ridden

Head of AI

As an experienced educator and thought leader in the application of AI in K-12 education, Julian is the Head of AI for the Anglican Schools Corporation of Sydney, Australia. He is deeply committed to empowering teachers with innovative tools that enhance learning outcomes. With a passion for open education and communities of practice, Julian has been at the forefront of helping educators harness technology to solve real classroom challenges. He is a strong advocate for the ethical use of AI in education and regularly contributes insights on how AI can transform teaching and learning experiences. Julian brings a unique perspective, combining hands-on teaching expertise with a deep understanding of emerging technologies, making him a sought-after voice in educational innovation.

Ken Shelton

Educational Consultant

Ken has worked as an Educator for over 20 years and spent most of his classroom experience teaching technology at the Middle School level. Ken is an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, and a Google Certified Innovator. He regularly presents, consults, and leads workshops, covering a wide variety of Educational Technology, Equity and Inclusion, Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist, Multimedia Literacy, Cultural Intelligences, Visual Storytelling, and Instructional Design topics. Ken is the ISTE Digital Equity PLN 2018 Excellence Award winner. Ken has also been named by EdTech Magazine as an influencer to follow. Ken has worked extensively at the policy level with a number of State Departments of Education, Ministries of Education, non-Profits, and was appointed by the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction to the Education Technology Task Force. 

Jenni Valanne

Pedagogical ICT Specialist

After a 20-year career as a classroom and music teacher, Jenni is now the Pedagogical ICT Specialist for the City of Rauma in Finland, overseeing 15 schools. Her profound understanding of educational technology, particularly devices in the classroom, has established her as a respected expert whose guidance is valued by educators throughout Finland.

Drawing on her long teaching career, Jenni has a unique ability to identify real-world challenges and design solutions that genuinely support teaching and learning. Her practical approach ensures that technology is always a tool for pedagogy, meeting the needs of teachers and students alike.

In her roles as an Apple Teacher and Google Certified Innovator, Trainer, and GEG Finland Leader, Jenni is committed to advancing teacher development and collaboration. She is an active trainer across Finland and plays a key role in building learning networks on both a national and global scale.

Stuart Swann

LEGO Education Academy Certified Trainer

Confirmed for 2024!

Stuart qualified as a primary teacher in 1995 and holds a BEd. Throughout his 30 years' experience, constructionism, innovation and play have been at the heart of his work. 

Whilst in the classroom he led on music and ICT and developed a bespoke curriculum through innovative, project-based learning. In 2011, along with a partner, he established IE Solutions Ltd, an educational technology consultancy which supports schools in the development and implementation of Computing curricula. 

Stuart is a LEGO Education Academy Certified Trainer and regularly facilitates training in both primary and secondary schools. He works globally on behalf of LEGO Education; has delivered keynotes training and workshops in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East; and has developed curriculum content for many LEGO Education resources. 

Stuart works closely with The LEGO Education Academy, helping to evaluate and certify new trainers. 

Throughout 2025, Stuart worked as an educational Content Writer at LEGO Education, developing the brand new Computer Science & AI.

He is also an Apple Distinguished Educator.

Patrick McGrath

Head of Education for EMEA, 

Everway (formerly TextHelp)

Educator, international speaker, blogger, panellist, podcaster and Head of Education for EMEA at the Texthelp Group - the world's largest specialist assistive technology group. Paddy is passionate about ensuring that technology has a positive, meaningful and sustainable impact on teaching & learning through a focus on inclusion, accessibility and universal design. 

A Google Certified Trainer and Apple Education Mentor, Patrick has received the UK Digital Leader 100 Award and an Honorary Fellowship of the University of Ulster (School of Education). Find Patrick on twitter @TH_Patrickm or www.pmcgrath.me