Matt Federoff surfs on the leading edge of technology in the Vail (AZ) School District. Federoff, director of technology, led one the nation's early efforts to connect schools using wireless technology, later providing wireless access at each school site. In 2005, he led the opening of Empire High School, called the first textbook-free school in the United States. Students are issued laptops, and technology helps form the core of the learning experience, much of which is self-directed. He was named the 2005 Arizona Technology Director of the Year and currently is involved in the Beyond Textbooks Initiative, extending the Empire methodology across all grade levels.
