VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

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Common Sense Education: October 24, 2022

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Common Sense Education - Resource Share

An image of students working on laptops in a classroom. A Common Sense Education text overlay appears in the top right of the graphic."Common Sense is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all kids thrive in a world of media and technology. They support pre-K–12 schools with lesson plans, edtech reviews, family resources, and everything else students need to thrive in a connected world." Below is a custom set of resources pulled from this month's newest updates! Check them out via the links and explore even more at www.commonsense.org/education. VSTE is proud to partner with Common Sense Education.

For Teachers:

For Parents & Caregivers:

 

All Resources via Common Sense Education

All VSTE Posts of Common Sense Education Resources

Nominations Open! 2022 Outstanding Technology Teacher, Coach and Leader of the Year Award

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VSTE will recognize and honor Virginia Educators, Technology Coaches and Leaders who are VSTE members (nominee not a member have them join here) and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education. Award recipients will be selected from a pool of nominations submitted by VSTE members from around Virginia.

Nominations will be accepted from October 12 -October 26. Nominations will be reviewed by the VSTE Board of Directors and past winners. Select nominators will be contacted by November 5 to provide additional evidence and documentation. Nominators are encouraged to work with the nominee to gather this additional information.

Decisions will be made prior to the VSTE Annual Conference. Award winners will be recognized during the opening general session at the annual conference. They are also provided with a complimentary conference registration and two nights of hotel accommodations for the annual conference. This year's conference will be held December 4-6, 2022, in Virginia Beach.

The Awards Committee uses the ISTE standards as the basis for judging the Outstanding Technology Coach awards. Please review the appropriate standards when preparing nomination materials. Nominees are rated solely using criteria identified in the rubric.

Please use this form to nominate a technology coach for this award.

More information about the ISTE Standards for Coaches, ISTE Standards for Educators, ISTE Standards for Education Leaders.

Questions should be addressed to awards@vste.org.

2021 Winner for Outstanding Coach

  • Fara Faust, Virginia Beach Public Schools

2018 Winners for Outstanding Coach

  • Patrick Hausammann, Clarke County Public Schools
    Krystle Demas, Goochland County Public Schools
    Timothy Signorelli, Fairfax County Public Schools

2017 Winners

  • Outstanding Leader: Tim Taylor, Instructional Technology Supervisor, Shenandoah County Public Schools
  • Outstanding Teacher: Nichole Thomas, Instructional Facilitator for Technology, Liberty Elementary School, Loudoun County Public Schools

2016 Winners

  • Outstanding Leader: Dr. Amy Cashwell, Chief Academic Officer, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
  • Outstanding Teacher: Dr. Ann Nash, ITRT, Henrico County Public Schools

2015 Winners

  • Outstanding Leader: Dr. Helen Crompton, Assistant Professor, Old Dominion University
  • Outstanding Teacher: Doug Saunders, ITRT, Henrico County Public Schools

2014 Winners

  • Outstanding Leader: Janet Copenhaver, Director of Technology, Henry County Schools
  • Outstanding Teacher: Daniel Nemerow, Math and Special Education, Prince William County Schools

2013 Winners

  • Outstanding Leader: Richard Pierce, Associate Professor, Shenandoah University
  • Outstanding Teacher: Wendy Phillips, literacy specialist at Belview Elementary School, Montgomery County Schools

2012 Winners

  • Outstanding Leader: Mark Nichols, Special Education Supervisor for Assistive Technology and Individual Education Programs, Loudoun County Public Schools
  • Outstanding Teacher: Norene Skiles, library media specialist at Windsor Oaks Elementary School, Virginia Beach City Public Schools

2011 Winners

  • Outstanding Leader: Thomas Woodward, Assistant Director of Instructional Technology, Henrico County Public Schools
  • Outstanding Teacher: Kristina Peck, Riverbend High School Math Teacher, Spotsylvania County Public Schools

2010 Winners

  • Outstanding Leader: Katie Knapp, Computer Resource Specialist, Virginia Beach Public Schools
  • Outstanding Teacher: Lacy Krell, Salem High School English Teacher, Virginia Beach Public Schools

Ken Shelton VSTE22 Keynote Speaker

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Ken (He/Him/His) currently holds an M.A. in Education with a specialization in Educational Technology as well as New Media Design and Production. He has worked as an Educator for over 20 years and spent most of his classroom experience teaching technology at the Middle School level. As a part of his active involvement within the Educational Technology community, Ken is an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, and a Google Certified Innovator.

Ken has worked extensively at the policy level with a number of State Departments of Education, Ministries of Education, and non-profit organizations. Ken was appointed to the Education Technology Task Force formed by a previous California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Ken regularly gives keynotes, presentations, consults, and leads workshops, covering a wide variety of Educational Technology, Equity and Inclusion, Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist, Multimedia Literacy, Cultural Intelligence, Visual Storytelling, and Instructional Design topics. Ken is the International Society for Technology in Education Digital Equity Professional Learning Network 2018 Excellence Award winner. Ken is the International Society for Technology in Education 2022 Making IT Happen Award winner due to his extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage, and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students. Because of his extensive and broad impact, Ken has also been named by EdTech Magazine as an influencer to follow.

Learn more about Ken

Register for VSTE22

Seas the Day: Limited Time for Super Early Bird Pricing

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Super Early Bird Registration for the VSTE Annual Conference ends on September 30th.

 

Super Early Bird is the best pricing for conference attendees but the savings will not last. Prices increase on October 1st for the full conference, multi-day, and single-day registrations for the annual conference.

 

Visit vsteconference.org and register today!

Challenge: Return to the Joy of Learning

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Smiling Man at ComputerFor many in the field of education, July 1 is a significant date. The calendar turns over to a new year. It is somewhat ironic that we then wait until the fourth to light off the fireworks, but perhaps it is our optimistically cautious response as modern-day educators. However, it is fitting that the start is a celebration. Just as with the traditional New Year festivities we take some time to plan
and dream about what is yet to come.

So, a belated welcome to 2022-23 and a happy new school year! My name is Rod Carnill and I am the newly appointed executive director of VSTE. While the July 1 start to my new year has passed by, the Labor Day holiday is over and summer comes to an end, for me and for VSTE this transitional journey brings a significant change, a change in leadership, and an opportunity for growth. Upon hearing the news of my appointment as VSTE’s new executive director, a colleague replied Cresce sempre verso l'alto which roughly translates as always growing upward. I, as well as other lifelong learners, embrace this phrase and its inherent challenges.

Contemplating what that will mean for us as a community of educators requires that we measure and assess what we have learned over the past year (or two) and then apply that learning to set goals for the coming year. As I attended the ISTE gathering in New Orleans, I heard CEO Richard Culatta speak of returning the joy to learning. He spoke of how hard everyone had worked during the trying times educators, parents and students have faced since March of 2020. He went on to say that the next challenge was to bring back the joy of learning. He wasn’t trying to overlook or downplay the trauma or hardship but to acknowledge it and encourage us to grow from it. Returning the joy for learners by nature should also encompass restoring the joy for educators as well.

It is my belief that we must approach this with intention and purpose. Ever mindful that this should not be seen as a momentary response or a temporary measure. This should be a thorough and responsible application of the lessons learned and should be essential in informing our plans, and our aspirations for the coming days, months, and even years. The challenge is to remind ourselves of the importance of joy in our daily tasks, even those that are exacting and seemingly unending.

When asked about advice for K-12 leaders, CoSN spotlight member, and school district Chief Technology Officer, Tony Harvey replied, “Hold on to both your perseverance and your drive. When you get to the end result, it is always worth the journey." Being mindful of the joys we encounter each day and counting our blessings is what helps us overcome adversity and maintain a sense of perseverance and drive. I hope you will be counting the blessings during this school year’s journey, especially during the challenging times ahead. For me, that is where I can best appreciate the joy brought to me and in turn do my best to bring joy to others.

Be well, make good happen, and share your joy!
rod