VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

VSTE News

Chanel Alford-Campbell

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Smiling womanChanel Alford-Campbell
Technology Integration Specialist
Alexandria City Public Schools

Educational Leadership

I am the recipient of the 2019 COSN Emerging EdTech Leader Award, I have presented at several EdTech Conferences including VSTE, and I have assisted with planning an EdTech Conference for a school district. I have served as a mentor to new teachers, new ITRTs, and young ladies interested in coding. I have collaborated with leadership and my team to ensure that professional development is meaningful and fun by building online modules and implementing a badging system. In my current district, I serve as one of the facilitators of the Teacher Leadership Program (TLP). Throughout TLP, teachers are afforded the opportunity to learn various technologies, effectively integrate technology into the classroom, and facilitate workshops.

Vision for VSTE

When I first attended VSTE years ago, I was exposed to a world of people who shared my excitement for educational technology. I hope to assist VSTE in continuing to advocate for our teachers and students by ensuring equity through exposure to virtual learning and opportunities to learn new EdTech tools. As a former Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher, I would like to assist VSTE with offering more activities to engage CTE teachers. My vision for VSTE also includes increased partnerships with companies and other nonprofits, podcasting, and providing educational opportunities for teachers who are interested in studying instructional technology.

Biographical Sketch

This is the sixteenth year of my career in education, and I love providing teachers with new technology tools to engage students. I hold several certifications, including Google, Nearpod, BrainPOP and Clever, and I am currently working on a new tech podcast. I am a huge proponent of exposing young ladies to coding and opportunities in computer science to address the lack of women in this field. I hold a bachelor's degree in Occupational and Technical Studies (Marketing Education), and master’s and education specialist degrees in Educational Leadership.

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Timothy Mays

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Photo of manTimothy Mays
Division Instructional Technologist
Sussex County Public Schools

Educational Leadership

My educational leadership experience as Division Instructional Technologist includes assisting and training all faculty, staff, and administration with incorporating technology into their classrooms or buildings. I conduct numerous technology trainings throughout the school year to increase technology usage when appropriate to do so. I facilitate multiple online teaching methodology courses (7-weeks) for Sussex County Public School’s faculty and staff at no charge to prepare them for online teaching with a learning management system. In addition, I speak with community members and parents on how to assist their child/children with the proper use of technology once they leave school for the day, as well as the dangers of being online and growing up in a digital world. Also, I oversee and evaluate our division’s internet safety program and the Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP) program. I am currently coaching teachers and administrators on how to incorporate the Virginia Computer Science Standards into K-12 instruction. Among other duties, I am the Google, Canvas, and Brightspace/D2L administrator for the division.

Vision for VSTE

My vision for VSTE is to continue to be the beacon in educational technology and how it can be used in education to enhance teaching and learning and to improve student outcomes. Furthermore, my vision is to continue fostering a culture of 21st-century learning while promoting lifelong learning and producing active and productive citizens in society. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in technology infrastructure, educational technology, and equity. I will continue to advocate for closing the “digital divide” in all localities, especially rural areas while encouraging school districts to adopt and/or expand their virtual learning opportunities for students across Virginia.

Biographical Sketch

Born, raised, and educated in rural, southern Virginia, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a major in Information Systems from Old Dominion University. In addition, I earned my Master’s Degree from Strayer University in Instructional Technology and Post Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University. Certified in Computer Science and Middle School Mathematics and Social Studies, I am an experienced educator, technology integrator, and educational technology advocate with over 15 years experience. I’m a lifelong learner, especially all things technology. I’m a lover of all things Google and a certified Google educator. I have also earned certifications in VMware deployment, network and system security, and Dell technologies.

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Scott Kiser

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Smiling Man with plaid tieScott Kiser
Director of Technology
Wise County Public Schools

Educational Leadership

With 20 years experience that includes classroom teacher, technology coordinator, principal, and technology director, I have been on this joyous ride as technology has advanced at all levels of education. Currently serving as the Director of Technology for Wise County Public Schools, I lead a technology team that serves 5,500 students in rural Southwest Virginia. I represent our region on several boards at the local, regional, and state level. One of these boards is VSTE, where I have served for three years now. I am thankful to be part of the VSTE Board of Directors as it is a progressive organization that works hard for educators and students, and I hope to continue this work!

Vision for VSTE

As VSTE continues to grow, I want to see us continue to evolve our current projects while positioning ourselves to foster more relationships with other state organizations such as the Virginia Association of State Superintendents, as well a our principal associations, to garner more support for our work as this will enhance the support of our current initiatives and further enhance the experiences of our wonderful educators!

Biographical Sketch

First and foremost, I am the proud father of 4 children ranging in ages from 17 - 2, which drives my commitment to do all I can to enrich educational experiences in our area. My experience in education has been an interesting one. I began teaching technology and keyboarding at a PK-7 school that was part of a very small school division (800 students), which also meant that I was asked to support the technology in that school. I found myself moved to the high school to teach business courses while serving as the division’s Technology Coordinator until I became the Director of Technology after 4 years in the classroom. I eventually decided to pursue a principal position at the elementary/middle school where my career started, and after successfully acquiring that job was informed that I would remain the technology director as well. After four years, I accepted my current position with Wise County Public Schools as their Director of Technology. During my five years of service to Wise County, I have been able to serve my division as well as others in the region and state by serving on various boards such as the state’s K-12 Learning Infrastructure Program (KLIP) and VSTE.

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Michele Daniel-Shenk

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Smiling WomanMichele Daniel-Shenk
PK - 8 Academic Technology Coordinator and Lower School Science/Technology Teacher
Highland School

Educational Leadership

As a Google Certified Trainer, Apple Teacher, Seesaw Ambassador and a Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer, I have spent years training other educators on ways to successfully implement technology into their classrooms. I have presented at VCEC, VAIS, ITEEA and ISTE conferences sharing tips and tricks of technology implementation. I have shown teachers how they can implement gaming into their classrooms and have advised teachers on how to use flipped learning in their classrooms. I have coached robotics teams for 11 years and have mentored others to become successful coaches as well.

Vision for VSTE

I would like to see VSTE implement programs to help all technology teachers have access to quality coding and robotics tools and trainings. I would like to see Virginia be on the cutting edge of STEM/STEAM implementation in classrooms throughout the state. I believe VSTE can provide teachers with the support they need to successfully implement various technology initiatives and can provide mentors to ease the way.

Biographical Sketch

I have been a teacher for 30 years. My experience with elementary students teaching Kindergarten, music, science and technology makes me uniquely qualified to help with STEAM implementation programs. I have successfully set up and run makerspace and robotics programs at my own school and have mentored teachers at other schools to do the same.

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Tech & Equity: Supporting All Our Students

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At 2 PM on Monday, March 23rd, Governor Ralph Northam announced that Virginia's public schools will close for the rest of the school year. Amy Stewart and Nicci Dowd, co-chairs of VSTE's Inclusion Task Force, offer guidance for making sure we are using technology to meet the needs of all our students. 

As our world has changed over the last couple of weeks, we have all come to understand the importance of instructional technology to our educational systems. With the closure of schools, many school divisions quickly shifted to online instruction. As we venture into this largely unknown territory, there have been profound and on-going discussions regarding how to reach the diverse student populations we all serve. Students are preparing to "work from home," and we have to make sure that we are diligent in providing them with the appropriate resources and opportunities. 

What better time to ignite this conversation on how instructional technology can support teachers and their students regardless of cultural differences and/or ability levels? That is ultimately the beauty of instructional technology; it makes differentiation possible on a grand scale and we have an opportunity to practice it now. 

How do we make sure differentiated online resources are provided to students? There is still much work to be done to ensure differentiation. Even with the assistance of instructional technology, it will not be quick, but it is worth it so that we can make sure we are reaching all students during this critical time.

Here are some helpful tips as teachers prepare to support their students; 

  1. Have you been online with your students this past week? If so, take a moment to do a quick check. Have ALL your students been participating? If not, who is missing? Is there another way besides the Internet to reach out to them? Not all students will be at home with adults, and many may be taking care of younger household members. And, as we know, there is a wide gap in access from broadband to devices to support.
  2. Even for students who have some kind of access, using it to connect with you can be a challenge. Think about how much data usage the resource requires from a student; many students will be using hotspots or mobile phones to access materials and may be sharing those devices and data plans with multiple family members. As we advised last week, keep it simple and low threshold. 
  3. It is also critical to remember that access to broadband and devices does not ensure equitable instruction or learning. We must continue to make sure that materials are accessible to all students. Families may benefit from guides on how to use the accessibility features of their home devices. Make sure that online resources you choose allow for text to AIM VA logospeech, enlarging text, multiple reading levels, and translation. If the resource does not provide these things, be sure to provide access to an alternative resource. AIM-VA provides accessible instructional materials to eligible Virginia K-12 students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are unable to access traditional print.
  4. Students have a wide range of technology skills so keep that in mind as you select resources. How many "clicks" does it take to get to the resource and is that path clear? If students are using a learning management system or dashboard, do they know how to use their single sign on or other login information? Where do they go to retrieve that information? How easy is it for students and family to access school division technology support?
  5. Finally, make sure students continue to have access to content that reflects a wide assortment of people, cultures, and situations. Be sure to introduce your students to the many authors and industry leaders providing time on their social media platforms. 

As the crisis continues to unfold, educators are taking the lead on supporting students and their families. VSTE has opened a Facebook group where we would love to hear about what you and your school division are doing to ensure learning equity for all students. We can continue to learn, share and grow together. 

Nicci Dowd is an Assistive Technology Training and Technical Specialist for AIM-VA and a member of the VSTE Board of Directors. 

Amy Stewart is Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Extended Learning for Petersburg Public Schools. She is treasurer of the Greater Richmond Area Education Technology Consortium (GRAETC), VSTE's partner organization.