WeTeach_CS Summit 2025: Full Schedule

June 9-10, 2025
Renaissance Austin Hotel - 9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759
Click HERE to access the WTCS Summit registration page

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Presenter Google Slides Folder

9:45am CDT

Securing the Future: Introducing NIST 800-171 to High School Educators

Monday June 9, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT

Trinity B

Prepare your students for cybersecurity careers by exploring the foundational principles of NIST 800-171, a critical standard for safeguarding sensitive information. This session will equip high school educators with the knowledge to teach students about Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), compliance requirements, and best practices in data security. Learn how to connect industry standards to classroom instruction, inspire students to pursue cybersecurity pathways, and engage with real-world scenarios that demonstrate the importance of protecting data in today’s digital world.

Presenters

Nathaniel Mendoza

Manager, Networking, Security & OperationsnSenior Network Engineer, Texas Advanced Computing Center

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-mendoza-71a398/

Nikki Hendricks

Sr. Cybersecurity Education Specialist, TACC

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-nikki-hendricks/

Monday June 9, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
Trinity B

Cybersecurity, Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12)

12:45pm CDT

Cybersecurity and Computer Science Industry-Based Certifications

Monday June 9, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

San Marcos

In today's Cyber digital age, cybersecurity skills are in high demand across all industries. By obtaining a cybersecurity certification, our students can greatly enhance their career and academic prospects, positioning themselves as valuable assets to potential employers and universities. Early involvement in cybersecurity will keep them ahead of the curve, especially as cybersecurity and AI become critical economic indicators.

Presenters

Fred Lover

Professor, Assistant Department Chair, Austin Community College

linkedin.com/in/fredlover

Monday June 9, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
San Marcos

Cybersecurity, K-12 Counselors and/or Administrators

12:45pm CDT

Wireshark: Getting started with packets

Monday June 9, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

Guadalupe

Dive into the world of computer networks with Wireshark Fundamentals, a hands-on introduction to the ultimate tool for exploring packets and protocols. Designed for high school students, educators, and enthusiasts, this engaging one-hour session will guide you through installing, running, and using Wireshark to uncover the hidden language of the internet. Learn how data travels, troubleshoot basic issues, and discover the role of network analysis in cybersecurity—all in a way that’s fun, practical, and easy to follow. No prior experience is necessary; just bring your curiosity and a laptop if you wish!

Presenters

Bill Alderson

Zero Day Researcher, SecurityInstitute.com

Bill Alderson is a cybersecurity expert, inventor, and veteran who turns network mysteries into solutions. Holder of two U.S. patents on hop starvation—a method to halt cyberattacks by starving malicious packets at the network layer—he’s a master of deep packet inspection and... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
Guadalupe

Cybersecurity, High School

2:00pm CDT

PANEL: Cybersecurity Essentials: Key Controls for Staying Secure

Monday June 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Brazos

This presentation offers a clear and accessible introduction to foundational cybersecurity practices. It highlights essential controls that every organization and individual should implement to defend against cyber threats. Attendees will gain practical insights into enhancing their security posture, preventing common vulnerabilities, and effectively responding to potential risks. Designed for beginners and those seeking to deepen their understanding of cybersecurity basics, this session equips participants with the tools and knowledge to protect their digital assets. Even without prior experience in cybersecurity, you’ll leave with a solid understanding of the tactics threat actors use to compromise systems.

Presenters

Todd Pauley

Deputy CISO, Texas Education Agency

https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-pauley-cissp-cism-23885520/

Monday June 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Brazos

Cybersecurity, Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12)

10:00am CDT

Capture the Flag 101: A Teacher's Guide to Running Engaging Cyber Competitions

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Bluebonnet

In this session, participants will learn how to set up and run a CTF competition server with pre-configured challenges, accessible solution documents, and customizable challenge options. Teachers will also learn to configure a student virtual machine for secure interaction with the challenges. The setup requires VMWare Workstation capability at each student workstation. We will provide 15 laptops pre-staged with VMWare.

Max Capacity: 15 (You are also welcome to join if you have a laptop with VMWare downloaded and able to handle big downloads)

Presenters

Dalia Pulido

Cyber 2: Networking Instructor, iCSI @ NEISD

Josh Beck

Teacher: iCSI, NEISD: San Antonio

https://medium.com/@josh.beck2006

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Bluebonnet

Cybersecurity, High School

11:15am CDT

Cyber Guardians: A Role-Playing Game (RPG) for Teaching Cybersecurity

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Bluebonnet

Explore effectively implementing a cybersecurity RPG to engage students in real-world cybersecurity challenges. This session will guide educators through the RPG structure, focusing on crucial cybersecurity concepts and skills. Participants will learn to facilitate this interactive experience, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and team collaboration, providing students with a practical, hands-on approach to cybersecurity.

Presenters

Edgar Garza

Senior Training Coordinator, Texas Advanced Computing Center

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgargarza7/

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Bluebonnet

Cybersecurity, Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12)

11:15am CDT

From SOC to C-Suite: Real-World Perspectives on the Future of Cybersecurity Education

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Brazos

From SOC to C-Suite: Real-World Perspectives on the Future of Cybersecurity Education.

Presenters

John Owen

Executive Director, Next Gen Cyber Ed

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfowen/

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Brazos

Cybersecurity, Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12)

1:30pm CDT

AP Career Kickstart - What is this?

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Trinity A

The session will introduce this new initiative from the College Board. The Career Kickstart program is meant to give students career experiences in high school. The first strand is Cybersecurity. The session will focus on the courses that are offered in the Cybersecurity strand and how they can be placed into a program of study or course sequence.

Presenters

Sylvia Wood

Cybersecurity and Computer Science Teacher, St. Dominic Savio CHS

My teaching journey began in the Apple IIe Era. I became fascinated by these machines. In my many years of being in the classroom, I can count on one hand how many were NOT in a computer lab.As computers/devices have evolved, so has my teaching from a "sage on the stage" to a facilitator/guide... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Trinity A

Cybersecurity, High School

1:30pm CDT

PANEL: From Texas to Nationals: Insights from CyberPatriot Leaders and Champions

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Brazos

Join the 2024 National CyberPatriot Semifinals participants and club leaders for an engaging session, as well as the current Texas state champion CyberPatriot team who will share their journey to the National Finals in Bethesda, Maryland. Through this student-led panel, attendees will gain insights into effective recruitment strategies, competition preparation, and effective training procedures. Learn how these young cybersecurity experts approached challenges like securing VM images, designing virtual network architectures, and mastering essential security knowledge. The session will also feature a live demonstration of competition scenarios and a Q&A with the champions and leaders.

Presenters

James Shockey

CyberPatriot Faculty Sponsor - Teacher, Liberal Arts and Science Academy

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Brazos

Cybersecurity, Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12)