Meet the brains behind the blogs...
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Steven W. Anderson, better known as web20classroom, is the Instructional Technologist for Stokes County Schools, a small district in the foothills of NC. Before that he was a 7th/8th grade science teacher. Steven has always had a passion for technology in the classroom, beginning his first year of teaching where he was recognized for his use of technology in an alternative school to help students succeed. Recently, he has presented at several technology camps and conferences (including a panel discussion at the #140Conf in L.A.) where he shares his passion with other educators. He also shares knowledge through his blog, and other postings. With an undergraduate degree in Middle Grades Education from Western Carolina University, and a Master of Arts In Education in Instructional Technology from East Carolina University, Steven continues to share his philosophy that technology in the classroom is crucial for student success.
David Andradeis a Physics teacher and Educational Technology Specialist in Bridgeport, CT. He is also a Paramedic and EMS-Instructor. Before teaching, David was an Aerospace Engineer for 10 years. He tries to apply all of his experiences, including his love of science, to his classes and students. He has a Master's in Education (Technology) from Walden University and a Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. His wife is also in EMS and an educator. Check out his website, www.physicsmedic.org, for more information, downloads, and links, and his blog at http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/.
Kim Cofinois the 21st Century Literacy Specialist at the International School Bangkok. Her role bridges the gap between technology and the library by helping core subject teachers utilize web 2.0 technologies in the classroom, creating a global and collaborative approach to learning. Prior to arriving at ISB, Kim was the Middle School Technology Facilitator at Mont'Kiara International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for two years and the Middle School Academic IT Coordiator at Munich International School in Germany for 5 years. In all three international schools, Kim has worked with classroom teachers to effectively embed the authentic use of technology into the classroom curriculum. Her recent work has focused on developing internationally collaborative projects that authentically engage students from all around the world, helping them become effective 21st century learners, collaborators and creators.
Darren Drapercurrently serves as the Director of Technology Services in the Canyons School District in Sandy, Utah. In this capacity, he cheerfully focuses on helping teachers and students to use technology to teach and to learn. An active evangelist for engaging pedagogy, Darren loves technology (when it works).
Terry Freedmanstarted teaching in 1975, and has worked as an ICT advisor, a principal officer for the QCA, an Ofsted inspector and a senior officer in a local authority. Since 2004 he has been an independent educational ICT consultant. Terry has an MA in education and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He publishes the ICT in Education website at www.ictineducation.org and a newsletter, Computers in Classrooms. Please include Dear Terry in the subject of your thread. Terry is also a prolific writer, having authored over a dozen books. He has written over 3,000 articles, and has been published in educational publications in the UK, USA and India. He is a member of the UK's Society of Authors. Follow Terry on Twitter: @terryfreedman.
Michael Gorman is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University’s. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations. He oversees the Integrated Solutions Block, a 21st century program serving 950 students integrating technology with core standards, at Woodside Middle School near Fort Wayne, Indiana. In his posts, Mike emphasizes reflection and practical applications involving 21st Century Learning, Project Based Learning, STEM Education , and the integration of NETS Standards. Most of all, Mike continues to advocate for teachers and students while concentrating efforts at transforming education and bringing 21st Century Skills to every classroom. For more on Mike’s writing, visit his: blog - http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/; wiki - http://21centuryedtech.wikispaces.com/ and follow on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/mjgormans.
Ben Grey is the Instructional Technology Coordinator for Barrington District 220 in Barrington, IL. He also serves as an adjunct professor for the Master of Education in Literacy program at Judson University where he teaches the course, "Technology in Literacy Instruction". Prior to taking his current position, Ben was a middle school teacher for three years and a fifth grade teacher for five years. He is a passionate educator who believes that the modern institution of education has the capacity to dramatically change the way students are educated by extending and engaging foundational learning practices with technology.
Patrick Higgins has been a teacher of English and social studies, a technology coordinator, and an administrator at various schools in New Jersey. In his current position he focuses on developing curriculum to meet the needs of the 21st Century student, coordinating professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, and facilitating change across a large organization. He has presented at the local and state level on topics such as Research 2.0, Creating Personal Learning Environments, Tablet PC use in the High School classroom, and Data Visualization. His focus within the past year has been on introducing teachers to the disruptive nature of social technology and the pedagogical shifts they bring about, and creating new curriculum that leverages the literacies these new technologies bring about. He currently writes his own blog, Chalkdust101, and is a contributor to his district blog, The TechDossier.
Kevin Jarrett is a K-4 Technology Facilitator at Northfield Elementary School in Northfield, NJ USA. In this role he is responsible for technology instruction in a lab setting for the entire student body. In addition to his classroom instructional duties, Kevin is a technology mentor, helping his fellow teachers develop technology skills and transform lessons through use and application of state-of-the-art instructional tools. After school, Kevin is the advisor for The T-Bird Times, a 30+ member student newspaper/media club (powered by the Ning.com social networking platform) that unleashes student creativity while developing student digital citizenship skills. Kevin is a Google Certified Teacher (2007), was Northfield Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year (2008), and received the “Making IT Happen” award from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for his work with ISTE in Second Life (2008). Kevin lives in Southern New Jersey with his wife and daughters. Check out his blog at http://www.ncs-tech.org.
Özge Karaoglu is an EFL teacher, freelance teacher trainer, e-moderator and the educational coordinator,script and screenplay writer of a DVD project in America. Check out her blog for more information: http://www.ozgekaraoglu.edublogs.org.
Scott Meech is in his 14th year of teaching and is currently working at the Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth as the district technology facilitator. While Meech began his teaching career in social studies, he quickly realized his greatest educational interest was in the transformative nature of technology. He was an early adopter and was regularly the test pilot for any and all new tech initiatives. His teaching quickly transformed from a traditional teacher-centered paradigm to a constructivist, student-centered approach. Meech earned his masters in education in curriculum and technology in 2005 and is currently studying as a student-at-large in preparation for a doctoral degree in instructional technology. While he has a myriad of interests, his favorite pastime is studying the impact technology is making and can make on education. He believes that education is on the brink of major change and that technology will finally fulfill its promise. Scott blogs at www.smeech.net and has a repository of his work at smeech-presos.wikispaces.com.
Jenith Mishne, Ed.D, works full time for Newport-Mesa USD as the Director of Education Technology, working closely with K-12 administrators, teachers, students and parents and supporting them with technology integration.She also teaches in the Masters of Learning technologies (MALT) Program at Pepperdine University. Recently, Jenith completed her Ed.D in Educational Technology also at Pepperdine University. She sit on the board of the Down Syndrome Foundation (DSF) and Newport Mesa Administrator's Association (NMAA). She is a member in the following organizations: ISTE, CUE, ACM, AERA to name a few. In her spare time, she works with her sister to run their non-profit foundation, Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County and hangs out with her three Labrador Retrievers.
Lisa Nielsenserves as a Technology Innovation Manager for the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) overseeing the creation and implementation of innovative technology and instruction. She has spent more than a decade working in various capacities in educational innovation at the NYC DOE and Teachers College, Columbia University including as manager of instructional technology professional development, literacy and instructional technology coach, teacher, librarian, and staff developer. Ms. Nielsen is a Google Certified Teacher, International Edublogger, and creator of The Innovative Educator social network, blog, and wiki all of which can be found at http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com.
Cheryl Oakes has worked in the Wells-Ogunquit CSD in Wells, Maine for 14 years in the area of technology.Recently, Cheryl has moved back into the classroom as a resource room teacher in Wells High School. Cheryl is able to put technology tools into the hands of her students through Universal Design for Learning practices and through assistive technology tools. Cheryl maintains 2 active blogs http://www.cheryloakes.com, http://learningcafe-doortothefuture.blogspot.com/, and frequently comments on many blogs. Cheryl is a webcaster with the EdTechTalk.com community and regularly webcasts for SEEDLINGS with Alice Barr and Bob Sprankle. She has also been a part of the K12online conference, Images4Education and Webcastacademy.net. Cheryl 's goal is to share one new tool, tip or idea a day with students and staff. It is all about the conversation.
Kyle B. Pace is an Instructional Technology Specialist for the Lee’s Summit Missouri School District. He has presented at educational technology conferences in Missouri, Nebraska, and Florida and has taught graduate level courses in educational technology for the last 4 years. He has recently co-authored a book titled Integrating Technology with Music Instruction that was published by Alfred Publishing in January 2009. His blog can be found at http://www.kylepace.com.
Frank Pileiro is a Technology Coordinator and veteran educator in Southern New Jersey. He holds a M.A. in Instructional Technology and is an adjunct professor of Instructional Technology for a local state college. Frank gives professional development training and speaks at the local, state, and national levels on various topics in instructional technology. Frank is passionate about educating with creativity and innovation and imparting these skills to our students. He is the author of the EdTech Innovations blog (http://www.edtechinnovations.com), where he writes about educational technology innovation and integration. He can be followed on Twitter @MrP_LPS.
Daniel Rezac currently presides as a Technology Integrator and Instructor at Fremont District #79 in Northern Illinois. Teaching chose Daniel when he was accepted to the Chicago Teaching Fellows' urban school program, a Teach for America spin-off. Daniel jumped in as a middle school science teacher on the South Side of Chicago, and quickly learned the engaging power of the Cloud and the Personal Learning Network. Utilizing a hand-me-down Promethean Board, Google tools (like Translate and Blogger), and an Online learning environment, Daniel quickly realized that a virtual classroom could level the playing field for his students, many of which English was a second language. Since his science days, Daniel has focused strongly on teachers- researching their practices, guiding them, and working to streamline the teaching process through sound technology pedagogy. He shares almost everything he does, either Online at Adventures in Ed Tech (drezac.com) or at technology conferences throughout the land. Last year, he joined the ranks of the Google Certified Teachers, and quickly began consulting with area school districts to implement Google Apps with his local team, at GCT-PD (www.gct-pd.com). Daniel holds a M. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University, and is completing his second graduate program in Technology in Education, also at NLU.
Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano was born in Germany, raised in Argentina and is currently living in the United States. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish with a Minor in International Studies and a Masters in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Technology. She blogs and twitters as "Langwitches". Her area of interest include technology integration, 21st century literacies, digital storytelling, multicultural and global awareness.
Dean Shareskiis a Digital Learning Consultant for Prairie South School Division in Saskatchewan, Canada. Dean works with teachers and students in understanding the power of the Read/Write Web. Dean is strong advocate of design and storytelling and has led many workshops locally, nationally and internationally. He's been modeling much of this on his own blog (ideasandthoughts.org) for almost 5 years. This is one space, among many, where he connects to the world and teaches and learns in ways not possible only a few years ago. Understanding what this means for education, keeps him up at night. Dean believes learning should social, transparent, diverse and fun. Dean is one of four conveners of the highly successful K12 Online Conference where almost half a million people have participated in professional development. He also is an adjunct professor at the University of Regina where he's developed innovative instructional practices for pre-service teachers. Dean lives in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan with his wife and kids and two annoying dogs where he dreams of summer when he can spend much of his days on the golf course.
Bob Sprankleholds a Masters of Education from the University of Southern Maine and has been a teacher at Wells Elementary School in Wells, Maine, USA since 1996. Two years ago, he become the school's Technology Integrator, teaching grades K- 4. He was involved with the SEED group in Maine as a Technology Learning Leader and helped train the first wave of teachers using laptops for the 7th and 8th grader MLTI project. Bob was awarded Maine's Technology Teacher of the Year in 2006 from ACTEM. His students have received world-wide recognition for their "Room 208 Podcast", and have appeared in numerous books and articles, including, The New York Times and Apple's Education Site. Bob has his own blog and podcast, "Bit by Bit" and is co-host of the "Seedlings Podcast" (along with Cheryl Oakes and Alice Barr), in order to help teachers incorporate technology into their classroom. All podcasts can be found at www.bobsprankle.com
Hank Thiele is the Director of Technology in the Maine Township District 207 schools. He works with a team of experts to design, maintain, develop, and secure technology across the district. He also serves as President for SETconnections, which is a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote an overall understanding of technology and its benefits and to then assist in utilizing technology to improve the field of education with an emphasis on special education. He has a Doctorate from Roosevelt University, Chicago in Educational Leadership and Organizational Change, a Masters from Roosevelt in Teacher Leadership, and undergraduate degree in Secondary Education.
Formerly a K-6 technology teacher, Lisa Thumann has been with the Center for Mathematics, Science and Computer Education at Rutgers University in New Jersey since 2002. As the Center's Senior Specialist in Educational Technology, Lisa facilitates professional development sessions on campus as well as travels throughout New Jersey going into districts helping teachers integrate technology into their classrooms. Her focus for the Center is her 21st Century Learning Initiative and helping teachers to develop and participate in their personal learning networks. Lisa also presents at State and National conferences such as Alan November's Building Learning Communities and the NJ Association for Educational Technology's and NJ Educational Computing Cooperative's annual conferences. Lisa was the Keynote speaker for the NJEA Technology Institutes this summer. You can read more about Lisa on her blog at ThumannResources.com.
Joyce Valenza is the Teacher-Librarian at Springfield Township High School, author, and technology advocate. Read her SLJ NeverEndingSearch blog.
Jennifer Wagner
In 1999, Jennifer was looking for an interesting way to collect data for a science fair project and posted her question to the EdTech newsgroup board, and the O.R.E.O. Online Project was born. The O.R.E.O. Project is now in its eleventh year and JenuineTech.com hosts online projects during each year. She has been recognized with several awards for her online projects and effective uses in teacher telecollaboration. Her JenuineTech website also has a monthly newsletter with Great Links, Software Reviews, and a 30-Minute Technology Tip for teachers to print out and use immediately in your classroom or lab. Jennifer enjoys sharing with teachers, administration, and anyone who will listen about expanding the walls of their classrooms with online project participation and creative uses of technology within the elementary classroom.
Websites: http://www.jenuintech.com, http://guessthewordle.pbworks.com
Blog: http://www.jenuinetech.com/blog
Vicki Windman is a Special Education Teacher in the Clarkstown Central School District (New City, NY) for developmentally delayed high school students with varied individual needs. She has been teaching for fourteen years, and won Teacher of the Year in 2001, 2007, and 2009.
