candidates

Wanda Parker

Manager, Service Desk, Desktop Support and Telecommunications
Richmond City Public Schools

Educational Leadership

I have been working in the K-12 environment for over 30 years and still find the challenges fulfilling as well as exciting. To have the opportunity to engage this vision in a leadership role is a goal that I look forward to taking part in. I've always felt that to successfully support and drive technology in the K-12 space requires building strong, trusting and fruitful partnerships with the community, the K-12 staff and students. This opportunity will afford me to better serve them all.

Vision for VSTE

To continue to endorse and support the vision of VDOE with their primary "emphasis on integrating technology into the classroom, as a tool for providing ways for students to achieve in school more broadly and more deeply." I've been an integral part of VSTE for the past 20+ years in my role as a member of the Equipment and Networking team and more recently the chairperson. What an honor to be nominated to the Board! This experience will enhance my ability to lead, educate and inspire my staff.

Biographical Sketch

I am a wife of 30 years, mother of two with one grandson, and have lived in Virginia my whole life. I love reading, walking, and have an absolute love for helping others. Supporting technology was something I fell into while supporting a wonderful boss who introduced technology to our district many years ago. I have grown in leaps and bounds, being promoted to team lead, supervisor, and now Manager of Technology Support for our district. I will give all I can and continue to grow and support RPS until they tell me to go home!

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Heather Askea

Instructional Technology Coordinator
The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Educational Leadership

I have served on the VSTE Board of Directors first from 2006-2012 and I just completed another term. I have served the organization as a secretary, vice chair, and currently am the chair of the Board. My educational leadership experience has been varied as I see leadership very much as a servant role. I have served to bring groups together here in Region 7 by supporting regional meetings of tech directors and ITRTs as well as supporting leadership development through my work on the Southwest VA Leadership Conference and virtual learning series.

Vision for VSTE

While change is never easy, VSTE is in an exciting position. As we begin the shift in our Executive Director position, the Board has taken steps to restructure our personnel in a way that builds capacity for growth and added service to the Commonwealth. This puts VSTE in a wonderful position for growth and strong continued commitment to our core values of advocacy, professional learning, community, and innovation. My vision for the next three years is building upon the work completed and begun by our committees to build resources, provide leadership and support to schools, and continue to build solid relationships with our partners and sponsors.

Biographical Sketch

Heather Askea is the Instructional Technology Coordinator, Online Learning support specialist, and adjunct professor of Education for the Center for Teaching Excellence at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Heather holds a BA in English with PK-8 teaching endorsements, M. Ed in Administration and Supervision, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree from Boise State University. For nearly two decades, Heather has taught at various levels from Kindergarten to Higher Education as well as serving as instructional coach for math and technology. She has designed and implemented hundreds of online and traditional professional learning courses for students and educators as well as taking the lead in planning several regional conferences. Heather is the Co-Chair of Communications and Publicity Committee for the Virginia State Organization of Delta Kappa Gamma. Heather serves as the Chair of the Virginia Society for Technology in Education’s Board of Directors. She is a passionate advocate for educational technology and online learning supports for children and educators, serving as the Chair of the VSTE Advocacy Committee. She is a frequent presenter at state and regional conferences such as ISTE, VSTE, VCTM, and others.

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