VSTE is pleased to welcome five newly elected members to the VSTE Board of Directors. Board members are elected to serve three-year terms and are eligible to run for one-second term on the board. Two of these members, Heather O’Brien and Chanel Alford, have been re-elected to serve a second term. Tina Coffey ran for election after serving on the Board last year as an appointee for Region 6. VSTE by-laws allow for an appointee to ensure statewide representation on the Board. JB Reynolds and Daniel Vanover are being elected to their first term on the board.
Chanel Alford
Technology Integration Specialist
Alexandria City Public Schools
VSTE is the voice for all educators in Virginia, and the organization sets the stage for new trends and technological advancements in classrooms. My vision for VSTE is that the organization continues to lead the way for education in Virginia by continuing to offer new professional development opportunities which will help educators to learn and implement new skills to improve their students' instructional experiencesIt is also my hope that VSTE will continue to pursue equity in all districts in technology access, training, and partnerships.
Tina Coffey
Instructional Technology Resource Teacher
Roanoke County Public Schools
VSTE has had a profound impact on me in my role as an educator and ITRT. I would like to see VSTE continue to provide professional development, resources, advocacy, and community to other educators in Virginia. I believe that it is important to have all eight VDOE Superintendent’s regions represented on the board so that all VSTE members throughout Virginia have a voice in how their organization is run.
Heather O’Brien
Instructional Technology Resource Teacher
Culpeper County Public Schools
As a teacher in a rural district, I see the ever-pressing need to advocate for greater accessibility for our students. As the recent coronavirus pandemic has shown, there is great inequality between urban, suburban, and rural access to broadband services. To meet the demands of the future and provide for the promise embodied in the state’s Profile of a Graduate, VSTE needs to be an advocate for struggling communities throughout the Commonwealth. My vision for VSTE is to empower teachers with the knowledge and ability to provide a stimulating academic environment with challenging student-centered experiences that result in creative learning experiences.
JB Reynolds
Instructional Facilitator
Loudoun County Public Schools
As a VSTE board member, I will advocate for new and emerging tools as well as build networks for collaboration. Through designing, organizing, and facilitating events such as local, statewide, and online opportunities, I am committed to expanding the impact VSTE has on education in the state. I am energized by forming strong relationships and recognizing their value in bringing about the engagement of others as agents of change.
Daniel Vanover
Instructional Technology Resource Teacher
Wise County Public Schools
VSTE has always been a beacon for guiding and supporting Virginia's educators and students in educational technology and its ever-growing place within our profession. As a VSTE Board Member, I would work to ensure that light continues to shine. I want to do all I can to help the organization grow and reach more educators through outreach and communication. I would also work to provide more opportunities for professional development through these channels which in turn would help to encourage growth of membership among Virginia's educators and school administrators.
