Middle school librarian Brandi Grant believes the library is a place where every student should feel seen, heard and empowered. Students also need guidance from educators as technology changes “every minute,” says Grant, an educator at Pearson Middle School in Texas’s Frisco Independent School District.
“The reason why I became a librarian is to create a space of collaboration, creativity and a love of reading, and help students navigate this ever-evolving world of information and technology,” says Grant, who will share her insights as a 2026 Future of Education Technology Conference featured speaker.
Teaching students how to use technology responsibly starts with staying up-to-date on the latest digital trends. Educators must at least dabble in social media platforms to better help young people navigate the digital world. Simply dismissing these sites will only build barriers with students.
“Digital citizenship shouldn’t be what they can’t do or how they’re gonna get in trouble,” Grant explains. “If you automatically X out what they like, how are you going to be open to talk about digital citizenship?”
Brandi Grant’s FETC sessions
- To Tech or Not to Tech? Intentional Technology in the Modern Classroom
- Future Ready Research: Teaching Digital Citizenship, Inquiry, and All Things in Between
- The Connected Librarian: Using Tech to Lead, Advocate, and Amplify
Having conversations with students
Grant’s “Tech or Not To Tech” session will encourage educators to evaluate whether the tech tools they’re using are enhancing student engagement and learning. Attendees will also receive guidance on combining edtech and the best of traditional teaching.
Grant wants to prevent tech overload, considering most students—and many adults—spend a lot of time in front of screens.
“I want educators to start thinking about these digital tools like, ‘What is the purpose?’ Or is it that you’re just doing it for novelty, or using it as a babysitter?”
“Future Ready Research” will cover teaching students to think critically to evaluate sources and information in the age of AI. Rather than telling them what to do and what not to do, educators should be having conversations about the real-world implications of intellectual property protections.
“We need to ask them how they would feel if they created something and put it on Roblox, and someone stole it and was profiting from it,” she explains. “That’s how I’ve had the most success, is breaking down the why, and that gives me a gateway to get the buy-in to cite responsibly.”
“The Connected Librarian,” Grant notes, uses technology to amplify their library’s visibility and value, build a professional network and engage with the community. That could mean posting regular messages on social media, connecting with other librarians or contributing to school newsletters.
“We’re having to prove that librarians are professionals, they’re educators,” she concludes. “I want to inspire librarians to tell their story. A lot of times, our stories are told for us, and they’re wrong.”
More from FETC 2026: How to make time for self-care, communication and mentorship
Find your next story in our slideshow
