Throughout the year at Technology & Learning, we've been examining the theme of education leadership and what it means in today's technology-infused world. What's clear to us is that leadership takes many forms. It may be seen in a classroom teacher who uses technology to initiate meaningful conversation among students in different parts of the country; a technology coordinator who dreams up imaginative ways to get reluctant computer users involved; or perhaps an administrator who fosters a culture of technology risk-taking and innovation in his or her district. With these considerations in mind, we decided to rename our long-running Teacher of the Year contest the Ed Tech Leaders of the Year program, and to expand the contest to recognize the diverse ways educators in all district positions advance teaching and learning with technology.
We were delighted and overwhelmed with the number of strong entries we received this year. Although in the end we were forced to choose nine finalists, we'd like to recognize the following semifinalists.
Rosita Sharon Alston
Math Teacher
Glenn Hills High School
Augusta, GA
Charlene Chausis
Technology Trainer
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Lincolnshire, IL
Kelvin Chun
Technology Resource Teacher
Nuuanu Elementary School
Honolulu, HI
Drew Crocker
Technology Teacher
Area Cooperative Educational Services
North Haven, CT
Colette deFrey
Coordinator of Digital Content
Westside Community Schools
Omaha, NE
Helen DeWitt
Title I Technology Coordinator
King Middle Grade School
Kankakee, IL
Philip Geiger
Executive Director
Arizona School Facilities Board
Phoenix, AZ
Jean Krieger
Principal
Woodlake Elementary School
Mandeville, LA
Arnold Pulda
Liaison for Gifted and Talented
Student Programs
Worcester Public Schools
Worcester, MA
Keith Reester
Superintendent
Horseheads Central School District
Horseheads, NY
Stephen Valentine
English Instructor
Pine Crest School
Ft. Lauderdale, FL