From Surviving to Thriving: A Roadmap to Innovation, Student Success, and Less Overwhelm

Presented by Angele Hodges, Former Education Leader, Current Academic Solutions Advisor, Varsity Tutors; and Lindy Hockenbary, K-12 Educational Technology Advisor, LindyHoc Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. Spring assessment season brings pressure, stress, and endless demands, but the educators and districts who navigate it best aren’t doing anything magical. They’ve built systems that work all year long. This edLeader Panel brings together academic solutions advisor Angele Hodges and EdTech educator Lindy Hockenbary to explore what separates schools in reactive mode from those operating with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re a classroom teacher feeling overwhelmed or a district leader seeking sustainable change, this session meets you where you are and offers a practical path forward. You’ll walk away with concrete strategies to move from surviving each season to building year-round systems that support student success, reduce overwhelm, and position your school or district for meaningful innovation. This isn’t theory. It’s a real conversation with educators who understand the challenges you face. This edLeader Panel will be of interest to K-12 school and district leaders. Angele Hodges, an Academic Solutions Advisor for Varsity Tutors with over 20 years of experience in educational leadership, specializes in designing tailored academic strategies that drive student achievement. She has held roles such as principal, assistant principal, and dean of instruction, focusing on faculty development, strategic planning, and innovative instructional models. Angele holds a master’s in educational leadership from The University of Texas at Arlington, a bachelor’s in mass communication from Dillard University, and completed the Harvard University Leadership Institute. She is passionate about fostering collaboration, research-driven initiatives, and sustainable academic success. Lindy Hockenbary—aka “LindyHoc”—is the bridge between education and technology. With experience in instructional technology, professional development, and curriculum design, Lindy helps educators unpack the effects of emerging technologies—especially artificial intelligence—on curriculum and instruction. Her journey began in a technology-equipped classroom, where she first blended instruction with innovation. Since then, she’s supported educators around the world, authored A Teacher’s Guide to Online Learning, and collaborated with EdTech companies to ensure their tools align with the needs of K–12 educators. In recognition of her leadership in this space, she was named a 2025 Women in AI honoree by ASU+GSV. Lindy’s work is grounded in helping kids, which has led to a passion for making technology literacy accessible and meaningful for every classroom. Her mission is to empower educators with the confidence and clarity to navigate the evolving intersection of technology and pedagogy. Learn more about earning a CE certificate and