Fireside Chat With the ISTE Board: Recover, Reconnect and Reimagine Professional Learning

Nikole Blanchard is the Director of Innovation and Technology at The Dunham School and a part-time professor at Louisiana State University. She has taught students of all ages and currently focuses most of her attention on working with teachers and designing future-ready curriculum. Blanchard manages a 1to1 technology program which has been recognized as the only Apple Distinguished PK-12th grade school in Louisiana. Blanchard is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Trainer, and Google Innovator. Blanchard is on the Board of Directors for ISTE was most recently elected as President-elect.

Patricia J. Brown, known as “MsEdtechie,” is an equity-minded, innovative educator with a passionate commitment to student growth and the learning experience through effective technology integration. Brown is a technology specialist in St. Louis, Missouri. She’s also a member of the ISTE Board of Directors. She’s passionate about closing the digital equity divide through access and opportunity and sharing practical techniques to create meaningful technology interactions and make global connections. a Brown is a keynote speaker and presenter and was a featured TED Masterclass speaker at the ISTE 18.

Dr. Cathy Collins has served as a Library, Media and Technology Specialist for 23 years. She served on the MassCUE Board as PD Chair from 2015-2019, and has published her writing in journals including “EdWeek,” “Library Media Connection,” and “NEA Today." She served on the MA State Science Ambassador Team, the ISTE STEM PLN Leadership Team and MSLA Board. She was elected in 2020 to serve on the ISTE Board of Directors, and as a News Literacy Project Ambassador. She has received numerous honors and awards for her work, and is passionate about STEM/STEAM, Media Literacy and Global Education.

Heidi Ellis is the senior director of membership and partnership strategy for ISTE. In this role, she develops member benefits and programs that help educators and school districts improve teaching and learning by leveraging technology. Ellis oversees several programs, including member benefits, awards and recognition, volunteers, professional learning networks and district partnerships. She enjoys working with educators and members to help them transform education and empower learners.

Rand Hansen, Ed.D., is the acting dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Maryland Global Campus and president of the ISTE Board of Directors. He began his career as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher and a district technology coordinator for a large urban school district in Maryland. He has also worked at Discovery Education, Johns Hopkins University and National Louis University.Rand Hansen, Ed.D., is the acting dean of the School of Arts and Science at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) and president of the ISTE Board of Directors. As acting dean, he supports the planning and execution of all academic and administrative matters pertinent to the successful operation of the School of Arts and Science.

Carla M. Jefferson is the principal of the Darlington County Virtual Academy in the Darlington County School District in South Carolina. Jefferson’s motto, “Why Not Darlington?” was inspired by a colleague and motivates her to fight for digital equity, not only for the children of Darlington County, but for children everywhere. Jefferson is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Educator/Trainer/Innovator, and PBS Lead Digital Innovator.. Her work has been highlighted in several publications, including ISTE’s Empowered Learner, Tech & Learning Magazine and District Administrator. Jefferson is currently a member of the Google Equity Board and an ISTE board member.

Nick Kind is a board member of ISTE pro bono. His day job is as a Managing Director at Tyton Partners, the leading strategy consultancy and investment bank in education, where he co-leads work on impact investment and venture philanthropy, and outside the USA. Previously, he spent 16 years developing educational software for every age group and around the world in and with a wide range of organisations, including his own startup and some of the world's largest media groups. He is based in the United Kingdom.

Sophia Mendoza is an innovative systems-level collaborator with over 20 years of experience as an education leader in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), and a member of the ISTE Board of Directors. As the director of LAUSD’s Instructional Technology Initiative, Mendoza leads the implementation of computer science education and digital citizenship programs across 1,300 schools. She’s committed to cultivating leaders and learners who are prepared for a growing digital world. Mendoza was named a NextGeneration Leader by EdScoop and CoSN; made the 2018 Most Influential People in EdTech list from Tech & Learning; is a 2019 ISTE Impact Award honoree; a 2019 Education Dive Innovator of the Year winner; and the 2020 Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 16 Technology Administrator, an honor that recognizes her work in establishing strategic partnerships and programs that expand instructional technology opportunities for all students.

Adam Antoine Phyall II, Ed.D., is the director of technology and media services for the Newton County School System in Georgia where he’s focused on helping teachers put technology in the hands of students to keep them engaged in rigorous learning. Since getting his first laptop in college, Phyall has been hooked on the fantastic things technology can add to learning. Early in his teaching career, Phyall had students create videos and podcasts to explain advanced science concepts. Once he saw the impact technology had on learning in his classroom, he began to share his activities and strategies with peers. This led Phyall to work as a building instructional technology leader, technology facilitator, and then take on his current role as a tech director. Throughout his career, Phyall has worked extensively with Title I and urban schools to improve technology integration for economically disadvantaged students. He has developed mobile learning plans for school districts in Georgia and Missouri that have led to 1:1 device initiatives. His philosophy on teaching is, “If you’re having fun teaching it, then your students will have fun learning it.”

Marlon Styles Jr. is the superintendent of the Middletown City School District in Middletown, Ohio. Under his leadership, Middletown City Schools earned the 2019 ISTE Distinguished District Award for ensuring equitable, accessible and appropriate technology use for all students. Styles also earned the Center for Digital Education Top 30 Digital Trailblazers Award and was recognized in 2020 as the K-12 Dive superintendent of the year. He’s passionate about closing the systemic equity gaps faced by many students in the U.S. and is devoted to transforming education and finding ways to integrate technology, while creating inclusive learning experiences for all students.

Christie Terry is the Director of Educational Programs for the University of Missouri Division of Research, Innovation, & Impact. In this role, she designs and delivers professional development for higher education faculty, staff, and students focused on research impact, engagement, and funding. Christie's prior roles have included Director of the eMINTS National Center at the University of Missouri, K-12 educational technology specialist, and classroom teacher. Christie has been an enthusiastic member of the ISTE community since 2000 and currently serves on the ISTE Board.

Tacy is a lifelong educator and learning enthusiast whose passion is inspiring students in all stages of learning, giving them a voice and empowering them to develop creative skills. She started her career as a teacher in California schools and then led learning and research initiatives at the University of California and Stanford. Today, she heads a global education team at Adobe and hosts the Creative Educator Podcast.