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Today’s classroom is filled with technology, from more familiar tools like interactive whiteboards to emerging tech like augmented reality, not to mention tablets and laptops. While a quality laptop is an essential tool in any K-12 or college educators’ teaching toolkit, a great tablet can do a lot of what a laptop can do while boasting improved portability and ease of use. Rather than lugging a laptop everywhere they go, an educator can slip a tablet into their bag and remain connected when it comes to communicating with students and doing helpful research for future lessons.
Keeping in mind the enormous importance of the social component that is education, we at Education Tech Insights are proud to present our Top 10 Innovative School District Tech Directors, to shed some light on the greatest and latest in school curriculum, practise and innovation. Each of the following have been shortlisted by our panel of researchers, educators and professionals in EdTech, for their pioneering work toward the advancement of the quality and execution of the ideals of education today. Education Tech Insights believes that these are individuals, who constantly strive to push the envelope of possibilities in schools, to make for more effective teaching, and understanding, for the benefit of tomorrow’s citizen, i.e. the student. Whether it is meeting the social and emotional needs of all students, or recruiting and retaining teachers, these are all relevant challenges that our featured directors have delved into headfirst. Let us get to know them a little better:
Director of Technology, Westport Public Schools
Natalie Carrignan has been the Director of Technology for the Westport Public Schools since 2006. In addition to managing the technology department, she is in charge overseeing the information and technology literacy (ITL) curriculum and department, which is staffed by their library media specialists and technology teachers. Natalie is also the district...Read More
Round Roch ISD
Being an experienced IT professional with over 20 years success in managing large projects, Scott Stansbury is best at achieving cost savings, increasing productivity, and delivering quality results for Round Rock ISD. He has been able to guide and lead highly skilled, cross-functional teams in the strategic development, architectural design, implementation,...Read More
Director of Information Technology, Klein ISD
Experienced Information Technology Leader with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education industry, Chris Cummings is responsible for the overall planning, organizing, and execution of all IT functions and services. He maintains strong technical expertise, and the necessary knowledge to design and recommend technology solutions for...Read More
Director of Technology, Community Unit School District 308
Clasen earned his master’s degree in business administration from Keller Graduate School, and his bachelor’s degree in speech communications and psychology from Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, III. Prior to working at School District 308, Allen managed teams of engineers and support staff at DeVry’s corporate headquarters in Oakbrook...Read More
Director, Technology Services, Cherry Creek School District
Huy Tran is a passionate and dedicated professional with senior level management experience in the cable television, adsales, telecommunications, healthcare, education and non-profit industries. His current role is leading the Infrastructure (Systems, Network, CyberSecurity, Telephony) and User Support (Service Desk, Field Support) teams for Cherry Creek...Read More
Executive Director, Instructional Technology & Support, Prince George's County Public Schools
Throughout her career, Lisa’s mission has been to support student learning with a deep commitment to and the ability for differentiating services, whether teaching or technology for all student groups. She believes the core function of education is instruction therefore, all functions in the system must be leveraged to support instruction. As an...Read More
Technology Director, Washington County School District
Lawrence Esplin began his teaching career at Dixie High School in the fall of 1981 after graduating from SUSC, now Southern Utah University. He taught World and US History, Psychology, Sociology, Consumer Math and computer classes. He coached sophomore football and worked with the Academic Decathlon team. He also worked as a school counselor at DHS. At Pine...Read More
Director of Libraries and Instructional Technology, Chicago Public Schools
Kara Thorstenson is the Director of Libraries and Instructional Technology for Chicago Public Schools. She is an avid school leader, educator and librarian with fifteen years experience teaching library, technology and information literacy skills to teachers and students in grades PreK-12. Before joining CPS, she worked for 14 years as a librarian and...Read More
Director of Instructional Technology, Cobb County School District
Cristin graduated from the University of Georgia’s College of Education with a BS in Middle School Education and soon pursued her Masters Degree in Junior High/ Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching from the Kennesaw State University. In 2008, Cristin acquired her Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration, from the University of...Read More
Senior Director Information Technology, Los Angeles Unified School District
Varouj Seuylemezian is an accomplished and focused Senior IT Executive with extensive experience in large matrix public companies in finance and insurance industries and public education districts leading enterprise-wide application development, legacy system conversions, agile architecture development, and web and cloud-based technologies to enhance...Read More
