Webinar: Building an Academic Esports Program in K12 by CDW Education

Building an Academic Esports Program in K12

About

Esports is not just a fun hobby, but also a powerful way to enhance academic performance and prepare for future careers. Join us for a virtual webinar where we will bring on panelists from various schools that have successfully implemented esports programs in their settings.

You will learn how esports can help students improve their STEM skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, data science, and coding. You will also learn how esports can foster academic engagement, inclusivity, and self-esteem among students.

Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights and tips from experts and peers on how to build an esports program that meets your educational goals and student needs. Register now and get ready to join the esports revolution!

Presenters

Jen Dawson

Esports Solution Specialist | CDW Education

Jen Dawson is an Esports Solution Specialist for CDW-G. Having been a former educator, her desire for improving the education experience, equity, and inclusion has carried over into her career in technology and esports. With over 10+ years in the technology industry and being a lifelong gamer, she brings her passion for education and knowledge of technology to holistically support our schools and partners across the country.

James O’Hagan

Vice President of Education Innovation | LeagueSpot

James O'Hagan is the Vice President of Education Innovation at LeagueSpot, a company that provides online gaming platforms and solutions for education and entertainment. With over 20 years of experience in education, he is a leader in connecting and promoting esports as a medium for learning, engagement, and well-being for students of all ages and backgrounds.

He is also the founder and host of The Academy of Esports podcast, where he advocates for the transformative potential of esports and shares insights, best practices, and research on topics related to esports and education. Additionally, he is an advisory board member of the MKEsports Alliance, a network of organizations and stakeholders that aims to position Milwaukee as a hub for esports investment, competition, and development. James is working towards a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from Northern Illinois University and is passionate about exploring novel methods to captivate diverse learners by harnessing the universal appeal of video games and the joy of play.

Chris Aviles

President Garden State Esports & Product Evangelist at Gameplan

Chris Aviles is an educator, innovator, and a driving force in educational esports. As the founder of Garden State Esports, Chris has pioneered esports integration into educational settings, fostering inclusive communities and promoting essential life skills development among students. In his role as Product Evangelist for Gameplan, Chris advocates for gaming's transformative power in education, creating resources and curricula that engage students in meaningful learning. With extensive experience and dedication to student success, Chris is a sought-after speaker, sharing insights and strategies for leveraging esports as an educational tool.

Mashfiq Ahmed

Science Teacher | John Dewey High School | New York City

Mashfiq Ahmed is a high school science teacher at John Dewey High School in New York City. He also created and advises an after school Minecraft Club that was initially created to provide students with a place to relax and de-stress during the remote school year. However, it quickly grew to become so much more. In the past couple of years, they've participated in esports, fundraised for charity, and started a Minecraft Student Ambassador program. Mashfiq's Minecraft Club esports team was crowned the 2023 Battle of the Boroughs Champions and won the Mayor's Cup. Through his efforts in Minecraft Club, he became a Minecraft Education Ambassador, is a part of The Game Awards Future Class of 2022, and received the Leadership Award from Games For Change. Mashfiq hopes that the future of gaming continues to be more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Audra Yocom

Success in Education

Audra Yocom is a passionate Computer Science & Information Technology educator working to ignite the passion for all students through unconventional pathways. She has participated in programs of Success in Education since she was a student in high school, and 3 years ago joined the foundation to help grow their Ken Garff Esports technology education program. This school year, the program had 99 clubs with more than 2600 students participating from all over the state of Utah. As a lifelong learner herself, Audra graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Technology & Engineering Education, a M.S. in IT Management from Western Governors University, and is currently finishing her administrative license endorsement from Southern Utah University.