Empowering Youth Through Real-World Challenges: Powerful Learning in Action

About the Presenters

Karie Huttner is a dedicated Design Thinking and Technology Teacher (Grades 6-8) with 29 years of diverse educational experience. Her rich background spans years in bilingual elementary education as well as serving as a K-5 educational technology coach. Through this journey, Karie discovered early on how modern digital tools empower learners to find their voice, spark agency, and express ideas creatively across languages and subject areas. Today, she transforms her middle school classroom into an active innovation lab, guiding students through human-centered design, rapid prototyping, and hands-on problem solving. By combining her deep elementary foundation with advanced STEM principles, Karie fosters an inclusive, growth-minded environment where failure is embraced as part of the iterative learning process. Passionate about cultivating thoughtful digital citizens and resilient creators, Karie remains committed to preparing every student to navigate and shape a rapidly changing world.

Jose Gonzalez is a nationally recognized educator with 25 years of experience and currently serves as the 21st Century Learning Specialist at Davis Middle School in the Compton Unified School District. Passionate about Project-Based Learning, he empowers students through voice, choice, and real-world problem solving centered on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability. His mission is to develop globally minded learners who use technology and 21st century skills to address issues such as climate change and community sustainability. Under his leadership, students have earned international recognition as winners of the Ciena World Solutions Challenge (2024, 2025, and 2026) and have presented at ISTE Live, Verizon Innovative Learning Schools conferences, and the King Kamehameha STEM Conference. Jose has represented the United States internationally at Teacher Tech Summit events and served on a World Bank education technology panel. He is a T4 Global Ambassador, and his students have collaborated with peers in Brazil, India, and Laos.

Dr. Kelly McNeil is a Senior Learning Experience Designer at Digital Promise, where she designs and facilitates professional learning at the intersection of AI, games, and emerging technologies in education. Her work focuses on helping educators move beyond tool use to designing meaningful, human-centered learning experiences that foster agency, curiosity, and connection. Dr. McNeil specializes in playful professional learning and supports educator communities in exploring how AI can enhance, rather than replace, teaching and creativity. Her research examines how co-designed, immersive learning experiences influence educator beliefs and practices, with a focus on learner variability and inclusive design. She has led national initiatives, facilitated educator networks, and presented at conferences including ISTE, FETC, and SXSW EDU. Dr. McNeil is passionate about elevating educator voice and bridging research and practice in evolving learning ecosystems.

Digital Promise is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. We work with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities to design, investigate, and scale innovations that support learners, especially those who’ve been historically and systematically excluded. Our vision is that every person engages in powerful learning experiences that lead to a life of well-being, fulfillment, and economic mobility. For more information, visit the Digital Promise website and follow Digital Promise for updates.