ACTEM2026

Carl Hooker is an educator, consultant and speaker from Austin, TX. He spent the past 27 years as a teacher and administrator supporting the he has held a wide range of roles. From teacher to administrator, he’s always had one common belief – that kids need to drive their own learning. His unique blend of educational background, technical expertise, and humor make him a successful driving force for this change.

He’s the author of 10 books, including his latest Learning Evolution: 2nd Edition which explores the impact of AI-enhanced learning in schools. He’s been an advisor for multiple ed tech companies and is the co-founder of the social media platform K12Leaders.com - a social platform built by educators for educators.

Carl is an international keynote speaker and is a featured as a presenter at many state and national conferences. He is also the emcee of Tech & Learning Live Leadership Summits and the host of EdSurge’s webinar series.

He’s a National Faculty Member Emeritus for Future Ready Schools and is the host of several podcasts including the “UnDisruptED” podcast and the “Forward to Different” podcast. In 2024 he was named one of America’s top 100 Most Influential Educators by District Administrator and was named Tech & Learning’s Leader of the Year in 2016.

Carl’s most important role is that of a father and husband. His three girls, Sophia, Lauren, and Caroline keep him on his toes and are a frequent focus of his work. His patient and loving wife Renee keeps him grounded. Whenever he thinks he’s a big deal, she politely remarks, “let me call the construction company to make the doors bigger for your head.”