For Immediate Release
March 6, 2015
Contact: Linda Embrey
NSBA Communications Office
703-838-6737; lembrey@nsba.org
www.nsba.org
NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION NAMES ‘20 TO WATCH’
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY LEADERS
Desire to deliver more personalized learning drives exploration
of innovative technology solutions
Alexandria, Va. (March 6, 2015) – The National School Boards Association's (NSBA) Technology
Leadership Network (TLN) announces its “20 to Watch” honorees for 2014-15. These distinctive
education leaders from across the country are being recognized for their ability to inspire colleagues
to explore and embrace innovative technology solutions that contribute to high-quality instruction
and support more personalized learning experiences for students.
“This year’s ‘20 to Watch' honorees highlight the kind of exciting innovations that exist throughout
America’s public schools. These teachers and administrators, with support from their school boards,
share a vision for learning that will prepare students for future success,” said Thomas J. Gentzel,
NSBA’s Executive Director. “These inspirational pioneers are having a positive impact on the districts
they serve.”
A common goal among honorees is their desire to embrace tools that help them engage each student
in the joy of learning; willingness to mentor colleagues; and an understanding that lasting change
requires a degree of risk-taking, said Ann Flynn, NSBA’s Director of Education Technology. “Their
accomplishments serve as examples that can inform local, district, and state approaches to education
technology decisions in the future.”
This is the ninth year of the program, created in 2006. This year’s honorees are being recognized at
the 2015 Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Conference on March 16 in Atlanta, along with
a TLN-hosted luncheon at NSBA’s 2015 Annual Conference in Nashville later this month. TechSmith
Corporation is sponsoring the celebration events and is providing software scholarships to the
honorees.
The 2014-15 NSBA “20 to Watch” honorees are (listed by state/territory):
California:
Mike Guerena, Director Educational Technology, Encinitas Union School District, CA
Mike Guerena, described as “curious and committed” by colleagues, has led the nation in designing a
complete suite of personalized learning programs for district students; believes in building the
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capacity of the educators with whom he works; models that risk-taking is essential for making
substantial change; and looks for creative solutions to ensure equity for all students.
Sonya Wrisley, Principal, Design39Campus, Poway Unified School District, CA
Sonya Wrisley is guiding teachers to engage students in the Stanford Design Thinking process where
they create solutions to real-world challenges on a daily basis. Teams of 150-180 students work with
teachers in shared learning spaces with cutting-edge technologies that shift between traditional
classrooms, Makeries, Collaboratories, The Gallery, and The Loft to support a student-centered
approach to instruction.
Georgia:
Andy Plemmons, Media Specialist, David C. Barrow Elementary School, Clarke County
School District, GA
The collaborative and interdisciplinary approach by Andy Plemmons has revolutionized how the
media center is used and offers elementary students experiences like walking field trips with Google
Earth, Skype collaborations with writers and artists, and the experience of being beta testers for
Wandoo Planet. Plemmons’ style supports teachers and encourages work to flow easily between the
media center and classrooms.
Illinois:
Dr. Art Fessler, Superintendent, Community Consolidated School District 59, IL
Because Dr. Art Fessler is committed to providing students with the best possible learning
environment, he has undertaken the challenge of rebuilding the entire K-8 curriculum with his
district’s instruction department to focus on the development of 21st century skills and the authentic,
embedded use of technology. Grade 3-8 students have both a Chromebook and a tablet, while each
student in grades K -2 has a tablet with access to Chromebooks or Macs.
Dr. John Hutton, Superintendent, Gurnee School District 56, IL
Dr. John Hutton’s vision for student-centered learning and his ability to articulate that vision to the
community, in partnership with the district’s school board, garnered passage of a comprehensive
building referendum after seven previous failed referenda attempts. The 1:1 learning initiative and the
strategic use of data address the digital divide in this diverse community and help prepare all students
for life in a global economy.
Indiana:
Pete Just, Chief Technology Officer, Metropolitan School District of
Wayne Township, IN
As the architect of his district’s Blueprint for Digital Learning, Pete Just makes learning – not
technology – the centerpiece of the plan. His support for BYOD and a board-approved Responsible
Use Policy that puts the onus for proper use on students with a digital citizenship focus exemplify his
local leadership; while nationally, he mentors other CTOs and contributes to various CoSN and
industry advisory committees.
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703-838-6737, www.nsba.org
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Jay Blackman, Director of Educational Technology, Tri-Creek School Corporation, IN
Jay Blackman’s focus to keep instructional programs and practices at the forefront of discussions and
the delivery of adequate professional support for teachers, parents, and students contributed to the
seamless launch of district’s 1:1 initiative that enables a more collaborative learning environment and
further supports the school’s partnership with the New Tech Network.
Kentucky:
Amy Braunwart, Technology Teacher, Ryland Heights Elementary School, Kenton
County School District, KY
Amy Braunwart exemplifies lifelong learning in a world of ever-evolving tech tools. From developing
personal expertise with SMART boards and student produced news shows to helping teachers across
the state effectively use digital tools at the Northern Kentucky Writing Project Tech Academy, she
inspires colleagues to try new things because of her passionate belief that technology supports
improved student learning.
Maryland:
Dr. S. Dallas Dance, Superintendent, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD
Dr. Dallas Dance has made meaningful use of technology a priority in his 110,000 district by engaging
the community in the creation of a five-year, Blueprint 2.0 strategic plan; leading the Students and
Teachers Accessing Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.) initiative to ensure every school has an equitable, effective
digital learning environment; and being an avid personal user of social media to connect with the
public.
Sarah Thomas, Teacher/Technology Liaison, John Hanson French Immersion, Prince
George’s County Public Schools, MD
Active blogger Sarah Thomas has inspired collaboration without regard to walls or borders as the
founder of the first EdCamp in her county and the EduMatch project that connects global educators.
Gamification and classroom flipping are just a few of the experiences she shares at
http://sarahdateechur.com.
Michigan:
Bernie Osebold, Director of Technology & Assistant Principal, New Haven Community
Schools, MI
Bernie Osebold leads by example, showing colleagues how technology can save time, increase
productivity, and enhance both teaching and student achievement. He championed the district's 1:1
pilot program; took on the task of professional development for new teachers; and launched a
Student Technology Internship Program that assists with equipment maintenance and repairs while
providing students with credit toward graduation.
National School Boards Association
1680 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-838-6737, www.nsba.org
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2015 “20 to Watch”
M arch 6, 2015
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Minnesota:
Dave Eisenmann, Instructional Technology and Media Services Director, Minnetonka
Public Schools, MN
Dave Eisenmann, considered a “teacher’s teacher,” leads Minnetonka’s award-winning four-year 1:1
iPad initiative. His clear vision for technology’s role in accelerating student learning allows him to
create stakeholder buy-in and build teacher leaders. Eisenmann speaks frequently on the importance
of digital citizenship and his leadership has provided essential technology support to grow the
district’s Chinese and Spanish immersion programs.
New Jersey:
Tina Marchiano, English Teacher, Pascack Valley High School, Pascack Valley Regional
High School District, NJ
Tina Marchiano has experienced 1:1 learning in this district, first as a student and now as an educator
who uses Twitter and other social media platforms to engage students inside and outside the
classroom. She also helped colleagues create virtual "snow day" assignments during the winter of
2013-14 that caught the attention of national media.
New York:
Tracy Rudzitis, Teacher, M.S. 245 - The Computer School, New York City Public
Schools, NY
As one of Stanford University’s FabLearn Fellows, Tracy Rudzitis has transformed her middle school
computer lab into an oasis where students make, create, tinker, and engineer during lunch and school
so learning can be more hands-on, complex, creative, and meaningful. As a leader in the global maker
movement, she is working with the NYC Public Schools to create computer programming,
engineering, and making curricula for children.
John Calvert, Computer Teacher, Quaker Ridge Elementary School, Scarsdale Public
Schools, NY
Nurturing critical and creative thinking among students and colleagues is at the heart of John
Calvert’s work. He transformed a large classroom into a makerspace; created an impressive Virtual
Class Trip project to help students understand the differences between communities; and is shaping
how regional educators think about how technology supports learning in his role as moderator of the
NYC Google Group.
Ohio:
Megan Kinsey, Principal, Ridge Middle School, Mentor Public Schools, OH
Catalyst, a state-of-art observational classroom that Megan Kinsey helped co-found, contributes to
her commitment as a lifelong learner because it allows her to engage in action research around new
technologies and instructional strategies that can assist her in finding the best way to support the
educators and learners in her building.
National School Boards Association
1680 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-838-6737, www.nsba.org
National School Boards Association
2015 “20 to Watch”
M arch 6, 2015
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Texas:
Aaron Marvel, Instructional Coach, Navasota Intermediate School, Navasota
Independent School District, TX
Aaron Marvel applies knowledge from his doctoral work in child psychology to help teachers identify
the right technology to meet the district’s diverse student population. As the instructional coach, he
helped the school secure a Swivl robot with a motion sensor camera that allows teachers to record
and evaluate themselves to improve instruction and monitor progress towards goals.
Donna Staten, Elementary Art Teacher, Round Rock Independent School District, TX
Donna Staten is the "Pinterest Queen" in school art circles because she generously shares resources
through more than 450 boards that include videos, teaching techniques, and subject matter content.
Her inspiring collection of ideas improves learning for both the Title 1 and special needs students
with whom she works, and, it offers a steady stream of new ideas for her 95,000 followers.
Washington:
Randy Brown, Third Grade Teacher, Fryelands Elementary School, Monroe Public
Schools, WA
Inspired by Khan Academy, Randy Brown embarked on his own blended learning journey to create a
digital version of himself with over 500 instructional videos that allow him to provide individualized
attention to every child as student groups rotate through stations in his classroom. He shares his
expertise with this powerful instructional model with colleagues across the state.
Mark Ray, Director, Instructional Technology & Library Services, Vancouver Public
Schools, WA
Librarian, provocateur, and blog author Mark Ray recognized the natural intersection between
libraries and technology and advocated for the inclusion of strong digital citizenship efforts into his
district’s strategic plan. The district began its digital transition in 2012 to provide personal devices to
all students in grades three through 12 by 2018.
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The National School Boards Association is the leading advocate for public education and supports
equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership. NSBA represents state
school boards associations and their more than 90,000 local school board members throughout the
U.S. Learn more at: www.nsba.org.
NSBA ’20 to Watch’
http://www.nsba.org/newsroom/press-releases/nsba-names-20-watch-education-technology-leaders
National School Boards Association
1680 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-838-6737, www.nsba.org