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Matt Caratachea

Coordinator of Technology Integration & Innovation
Goochland County Public Schools

Educational Leadership

Before becoming an educational leader in title for Goochland County Public Schools, I had many leadership roles. I helped organize and carry out division-wide events celebrating students and teachers for the innovative learning experiences happening across the county. I also helped organize division-wide professional learning events for teachers and leaders that were both packed with learning and fun. Currently in my role in central office I am lucky enough to lead an amazing team of coaches as we not only design professional learning to help teachers and leaders feel supported and prepared for anything, but help shape the instructional vision of the school division as we continue to grow and innovate.

Vision for VSTE

Driving state-wide educational innovation and creating opportunities to bring educators together are two incredibly important aspects of the VSTE organization. Though this past year was one of immense struggle, one positive light is the widespread adoption of integrating technology by teachers. VSTE must now reach the teachers who are starting to see the potential in these technological tools in order to not only meet these teachers with the high quality professional learning they need to carry on, but to also guide these educators in meaningfully integrating this into their classrooms. True innovation in schools can only happen when top notch pedagogy and 21st century tools and practices come together. There are teachers and leaders all over the state excited to help shape what comes next in education in a post-COVID world and VSTE will be the force behind bringing them together and making it a reality.

Biographical Sketch

From classroom teacher, to coach, and now in central office, I have always been an advocate for the innovative use of technology in the classroom. Helping teachers, students, and leaders see technology as a tool that can be used to create is a passion of mine. My day is made when a student is able to find their voice or their next creative outlet through a tool they have learned in school, or when a teacher has a vision and I can help with the tools or knowledge to help them see it through.

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Kelly S. Rippard, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer
Old Dominion University

Educational Leadership

My educational leadership experience spans both the secondary and post-secondary learning environments. As a third generation educator, I began my secondary teaching career as an English teacher at a technology-rich public high school in southeastern Virginia that also housed the district's STEM academy; here I was also a grade-level leader and subject-matter expert in technology. Later, I transitioned to teaching future teachers at both the undergraduate and graduate level in PK-12 instructional technology courses. During this time, I have been a committee member and committee chair for my college's Technology Committee, and I have been a part of the college's Transition Team to help faculty and students transition to online learning during the global pandemic. Lastly, I have served as a special interest group (SIG) chair within the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education.

Vision for VSTE

My vision for VSTE for the next three years includes two main tasks: 1) increasing VSTE's professional development presence in schools and districts and 2) investigating certificate-type training options for Virginia's educators. I'd like to see VSTE focus on professional development seminars, events, and sessions offered in partnership with the state's districts and as a way of meeting teachers where they are and with what they need. During the pandemic and with many districts' budgets increasingly narrowing, I think this is a way to work with educators who cannot travel to conferences. Lastly, many organizations are offering certificates for learning different technologies and methods through online training courses (both asynchronous and synchronous), and I'd like to see VSTE pursue some of these options, too, or work to partner with other state organizations (like Virtual Virgina) to offer certificates, classes, or even professional development hours that can go towards recertification points for educators.

Biographical Sketch

I am a technologist, researcher, instructional designer and licensed English educator. My areas of interest include technology education, mobile learning, blended learning models, instructional design, curriculum development, and English education. After having a successful career as a secondary and post secondary English educator as well as an instructional designer and curriculum specialist, I am currently a senior lecturer in the department of teaching and learning at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Here I focus on teaching future teachers about the innovative ways to use technology for learning, including how technology can be used for higher-level learning and collaboration in the classroom, how to best apply the TPACK framework in various disciplines and grade-levels, and how BYOD can be used to differentiate learning.

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Joy McDonald

Online Learning Coordinator
Rockbridge County Public Schools

Educational Leadership

After beginning my career as a classroom teacher in one of the nation’s first 1:1 laptop initiatives, I continued to grow in the field of education where I transitioned to the position of ITRT in Henrico for a decade. There, I guided teachers through the adoption of several 1:1 initiatives and earned the distinction of top 21st Century School at Hungary Creek Middle School. While an assistant principal at Alleghany High School and Rockbridge County High School, I led stakeholders through the adoption of each division’s first 1:1 tablet initiative. As a district administrator of instructional technology, I was instrumental in the adoption of deeper learning methodologies as a lead consultant in Alleghany High School's acceptance as a New Tech Network High School and as through the adoption of a CMS and an LMS pilot in Rockbridge. As an eLearning professional, I have presented for EdTech RVA, VSTE, and have served as adjunct faculty for Dabney S. Lancaster Community College to provide professional development for educators across the state.

Vision for VSTE

I envision VSTE as the trailblazer of the types of transformative, digital learning with which modern students can be inspired. Rooted in the foundation of ISTE standards, VSTE’s work can lead the way in the implementation of the state’s recent legislation of virtual instruction for interested students by championing transformative learning, endorsing best practice integration methods with educators, and facilitating regional collaborations aimed at providing a variety in educational programming. Across the Commonwealth, but most significantly for students experiencing the Rural Virginia Horseshoe Effect, regional collaborations will increase equitable access to a diverse program of studies for all students. As a result, VSTE’s efforts will empower students by providing a more personalized curriculum which, in turn, will inspire our students to go beyond the role of ‘thriving in’ and evolve to the role of ‘shaping and innovating’ in our digital world.

Biographical Sketch

I earned my BA in Music Education, my MA in Instructional Technology, and my Ed.S. in Educational Leadership at Virginia Tech. Outside of education, I enjoy the farm life and my wonderful family. I am an avid musician, snowboarder, and hiker. I am also an enthusiastic adventurer and have continually pursued the latest technology, from teaching with the first networked digital piano performance system to influencing others to adopt technologies and methods that enhance student learning. Not even personal life escapes my passion for technology as I‘ve also enjoyed bringing my antique SUV (‘76 IH Scout) into the computing age by personally converting it to a fuel injection system.

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Emily Heller

Instructional Technology Coach
Fredericksburg City Public Schools

Educational Leadership

Emily emerged as a leader in instructional technology early in her career as a Technology Lead Teacher supporting her colleagues through after-school technology trainings. As she moved out of the classroom and into instructional coaching roles, she has been a Building Leadership Team Chair, a co-founder and chair of a division-wide Instructional Coaching PLC, and a team lead for her Instructional Technology Coaches. She was selected to represent her division as part of a leadership team attending the Future Ready Schools Institute in San Diego in 2019, led the division-wide implementation and training of the Canvas LMS in summer 2020, and has been involved in leading many district professional development programs. Emily has a MEd in Education Leadership and holds a license in K-12 Supervision and Administration.

Vision for VSTE

Emily believes that the challenges introduced by the recent pandemic have also provided an opportunity for VSTE to expand their support of all schools across the state and promote collaboration between regions and school divisions. She believes that VSTE should continue to grow its Professional Learning Network and expand support for instructional technology coaches and resource teachers throughout the division. As a result of the profound changes experienced in education this year, VSTE is uniquely positioned to expand their support of innovation across the state through continued professional development efforts, expanded collaboration opportunities between school divisions, and providing a central hub of emerging and existing instructional technology resources and platforms.

Biographical Sketch

Although she started her post graduate life as an Engineer in Dahlgren, Virginia, Emily quickly found her passion in teaching and has been in the education profession for over 20 years as a secondary Mathematics Teacher, a Math Specialist, and an Instructional Technology Coach. She is a product of Virginia public schools, having grown up in Virginia Beach, and has worked her entire career in Virginia public schools, most recently in Fredericksburg City Public Schools. Her husband of 25 years is also a Virginia educator, and she is a proud mother of three. Emily is passionate about teaching and learning, is a math geek, and loves to travel, hike, and camp.

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Margaret Sisler

School Based Technology Specialist
Westfield High School/Fairfax County Public Schools

Educational Leadership

I’ve served as a school based technology specialist (SBTS) for the last 10 years where I have led professional learning, collaborative teams and equity work. I have been part of a number of pilot programs including FCPSOn, a division initiative to ensure all equitable access for all students to meaningful learning experiences and technology. I moved into a division leadership position supporting professional learning and expansion of this initiative to all middle land high schools, leading a cross departmental project team before returning to a high school SBTS in October of 2019. My experiences at school and division levels bring a unique perspective and understanding of the big picture and specific details needed to make change.

Vision for VSTE

VSTE’s commitment to pedagogy and relationships, professional learning and building connections between educators around the state is critical to ensure all students have equitable access to meaningful learning opportunities. VSTE is uniquely positioned to partner with and connect districts and individuals for learning experiences focused on strong pedagogical practices. These ongoing connections are what truly makes a difference in our schools and classrooms.

Biographical Sketch

Margaret Sisler is a former elementary teacher, elementary tech coach and division level educational specialist who currently holds her dream job - high school tech coach, where she spends her days supporting teachers and students, coplanning meaningful learning for all students and supporting school wide professional learning and the work of the school’s Equity Team. She is a cofounder of #NoVAedchat (a weekly Twitter chat) and edcampNoVA (a bi-annual day of learning for teachers) and a member of the VSTE Conference Committee. Outside of school, Margaret enjoys being outdoors, gardening, reading, aerial yoga and she is a huge WVU sports fan!

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