Innovation in Teacher Prep: How to Win Faculty and Influence Deans

Dr. Joshua Elliott is an Assistant Professor and Director of Educational Technology in the School of Education and Human Development at Fairfield University, and ISTE Certification provider. Dr. Elliott has spoken at national and regional conferences, and is an ISTE Certified Educator, Google Certified Educator, and Apple Teacher. He runs frequent professional development workshops structured to provide teachers with strategies for effective technology integration. Dr. Elliott’s research and teaching goal is to help teachers improve their ability to incorporate technology into their teaching for optimal student learning.

Dr. Ray Francis is a tenured professor, and member of the graduate faculty, in the Department of Teacher Education and Professional Development (TEPD) at Central Michigan University (CMU). Dr. Francis currently teaches courses in evaluation and measurement, research methods, and research capstone seminars at the MA level, and serves as the Program Director for the MA in Learning Design & Technology. In addition, Dr. Francis teaches doctoral level courses in the Doctor of Educational Technology (DET) program, and currently serves as the Chair of the ATE Council of Unit Presidents, and the President of the Michigan Association of Teacher Educators. Dr. Francis’ current research interests include aspects of student motivation in blended and online learning, concept mapping, prior learning assessment, authentic assessment, #MessyData, and the use of global field experiences to build the professional knowledge base of undergraduate and graduate students. He is an ongoing advocate of Prior Learning Assessment process in higher education. In addition, Dr. Francis has served as a lead auditor with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Peer Review Corps of the Higher Learning Commission.

Dr. Traci Redish serves as Director and Professor in the School of Instructional Technology & Innovation at Kennesaw State University (KSU). She is the co-author of an ISTE book titled, ISTE’s Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards (ISTE, 2009). She once co-chaired the program committee for the ISTE conference in Atlanta. Dr. Redish served on the ISTE Standards and Accreditation Committee to refresh the ISTE Coaching and Technology Director standards. The School she leads at KSU recently became an ISTE Certification Provider through the MED, EDS, and EDD degree programs.

Carolyn Sykora, senior director of ISTE Standards programs, has more than 20 years of experience in education leadership and program management for nonprofits. She promotes the implementation of the ISTE Standards in K-12 and in teacher preparation programs. including through the development of the ISTE Certification for Educators. Carolyn specializes in project and program leadership for resources, products and services that serve school and district leaders, technology coaches, classroom teachers and higher education faculty.

Cindy Vavasseur (Dr. V) is a Professor of Educational Technology and the Program Chair for Master of Educational Technology Leadership at Nicholls State University. Nicholls is an ISTE Certification Provider and the first University to gain this distinction on first submission. Dr. Vavasseur is also the 2021 ISTE Teacher Education Network Award winner for Excellence in Teacher Education.