Leadership Perceptions on Building Culture and Impact With ISTE Certified Educators

Sheryl Abshire, Ph.D., is the recently retired chief technology officer (CTO) for Calcasieu Parish Public Schools in Louisiana. A longtime transformational technology innovation and integration expert, she has led the infusion of technology into curriculum for districts and states in the U.S. and internationally. Abshire has been a teacher, principal, library/media specialist, CTO and associate professor. She’s also an accomplished grant writer, trainer and reviewer for the National Science Foundation (NSF). A founding member of ISTE NETS/ISTE Standards and Accreditation Committee, she’s deeply involved in infusing technology into standards-based instruction. Abshire is an ISTE Certified Educator, and the first teacher inducted into the U.S. National Teachers’ Hall of Fame. She was appointed to the U.S. Department of Education’s Technical Writing Team to create the new National Educational Technology Plan; is a nationally recognized consultant, speaker and educator; and was appointed by the FCC to the USAC board representing the nation's schools/libraries on E-rate matters. As a sought-after speaker on educational and technology issues, she has presented and published nationally and internationally about funding, leadership, education and technology issues. ISTE awarded her the first Public Policy Advocate of the Year Award for her decades of work promoting educational technology. Additionally, she was honored with the prestigious ISTE Making It Happen Award. Abshire is the chair of the Louisiana CTO Council and former president and vice president of advocacy and programs for the Louisiana ISTE affiliate LACUE.

Dr. Daisy Sam is the Sr. Project Manager for ISTE Certification with 20 years of classroom experience.

Carmalita Seitz, director for ISTE Certification, works closely with the ISTE standards team to support and expand ISTE Certification. She has 20 years of experience as a coach and a leader in educational technology. In 2012, she wrote and facilitated the implementation of the NYS VAP Grant. The purpose of the grant was to develop the capacity of local school districts to provide virtual learning (online and blended) Advanced Placement® (AP®) coursework to eligible students. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the New York State University College at Buffalo and a master’s degree from the University of New England in Maine.

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.