Educators

Date: October 17, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Technology Advancement Center (TAC) - Columbia, MD
Underwritten by: Booz Allen Hamilton

About the Summit

Convening to Act: Education Summit on Cybersecurity K–12 brings together educators, policymakers, and cyber professionals to explore how cybersecurity and digital literacy can be embedded across the K–12 experience.

This full-day event includes hands-on breakout sessions, a live Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge for teachers, and a dynamic panel discussion on the future of cybersecurity education. Attendees will leave with tools, strategies, and inspiration to prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Agenda

8:00 AM – 8:25 AM

• Check-In & Networking Breakfast
• Teacher Capture the Flag (CTF) Challenge Begins (continues until 3:00 PM)

8:25 AM - 8:35 AM

Opening Address / CTF Explanation

• Dr. Alisha Jordan, Director of Education, National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF)

8:35 AM – 8:40 AM

Keynote Introduction

• Dr. Calvin Nobles, Dean of Cybersecurity, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)

8:40 AM – 9:00 AM

Keynote Address

• Securing the Future: A Call to Action for Cyber Education
• Speaker: Albert Palacios - Deputy Assistant National Cyber Director for Cyber Workforce, Education, and Economic Advancement, Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD)

9:00 AM – 9:10 AM

Industry Partner Address

• Speaker: Rebecca Robertson - Vice President for National Missions within Booz Allen Hamilton's National Cyber Platform (Booz Allen Hamilton)
   

Session Block 1 – 9:15 AM to 10:30 AM

• Session A: Creating a Cybersecurity Pipeline: Overcoming Barriers, Maximizing Output – Ryan Sackett (Loudoun County Principal)
• Session B: Cybersecurity Pathways – Dr. Melissa Dark, Ph.D. (DARK Enterprises, Inc. / Teach Cyber)
• Session C: How to Build a Successful Cyber Security Club – Steve Morrill (Loyola Blakefield)
• Session D: Credential Ecosystems in Action: Pathways that Accelerate Learner Journeys - 
  - Chad Whistle (Assistant Dean for Portfolio Lifecycle & Student Success, UMGC)
  - Dr. Helen G. Barker (Associate Dean for Cybersecurity, UMGC)

Session Block 2 – 10:45 AM to 11:55 AM

• Session A: Cyber Smarts: Empowering K–12 Educators to Build Digital Defenders – Quiana Bannerman (Maryland Center for Computing Education)
• Session B: AI and the Transformation of Education – Sean Flowers (Ready Force Cyber)
• Session C: From Gears to Guards: How Competitive Robotics Programs Spark the Next Generation of Cyber Defenders – Eric Davis (Maryland STEM Education to Employment Ecosystem)
• Session D: HackItUp with Kristi: Innovative Ideas for Every Cyber Classroom – Kristi Rice (Spotsylvania High School, Business & IT Teacher)

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Lunch & Networking

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Fireside Chat & Panel: The Future of Cybersecurity Education

• Facilitator: Kennedy Taylor Tibbetts (Cybersecurity Managing Consultant at IBM)(#CyberChats Podcast Host)
• Panelists:
  • Dr. Melissa Dark, Ph.D. (DARK Enterprises, Inc.)
  • Seeyew Mo (U.S. Department of Labor)
  • Senator Katie Frye Hester (Maryland State Senator)
  • Davina Pruitt-Mentle (NICE)
  • Siraaj Hassan (Booz Allen Hamilton)

Session Block 3 – 2:15 PM to 3:30 PM

• Session A: Unlocking Cyber Brilliance: Dynamic Curriculum, Engaging Activities, and Escape Room Adventures – Jennifer Marden (RING: Regions Investing in the Next Generation)
• Session B: Redefining AI and Cyber Literacy for a Human-Centered Future – Eric Iverson (STEM Education & Career Pathways Content Developer)
• Session C: From A- Zero Trust (ZT): Learning the Basics of this Cybersecurity Approach – Monica Hamilton (Senior Cybersecurity Technologist)
• Session D: Cyber Range in Action: Level Up Your Skills and Teaching – Shannon Beck (Director, Virginia & U.S. Cyber Ranges at Virginia Tech)

3:00 PM

• Teacher Capture the Flag (CTF) Challenge Ends

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Closing Remarks – NCF Board

• Summary & Key Takeaways
• Resource Distribution
• Next Steps & Thank You

REGISTRATION: 

Registration -$29  - Click the Register Now button below to visit Registration on the TAC website.
Late Registration - $39 starting October 1st
Registration will be open through October 10th.

Questions? Please contact Dr. Alisha Jordan, NCF Director of Education at ajordan@cryptologicfoundation.org

Thank You to our Generous Summit Sponsors