ISTE + NYC Public Schools: Lessons in Scaling Digital Learning

Tara brings together people, processes, and technology to transform learning in NYC Public Schools. As Director of the Digital Learning Initiative (DLI), Tara collaborates with educators, school leaders, and district leaders to personalize learning environments and experiences through technology solutions. Her unique expertise spans both teaching and learning, as well IT, strengthened by her former roles as Director of Citywide Ed Tech. Tara's classroom is deeply rooted in special education and ensuring all students needs are met universally. She helps connect IT, pedagogy, and adult learning to sustain an enterprise learning architecture that empowers all.

Liz Miller Lee is the Director of Online Learning at ISTE. She leads ISTE U, ISTE’s online professional learning initiative, to help educators build the confidence, tools and strategies to accelerate innovation in their schools through a variety of online courses. Liz has an EdM in Technology, Innovation, and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BA in anthropology from the University of Virginia. She is passionate about transforming K-12 education through technology to promote student equity and success.

Presently I am an, NYCDOE EdTech Citywide Lead, and a member of the NYCDOE for over 16+ years in various capacities. I spent 7 years as an elementary classroom teacher, 3 as a technology coach, 6 years as an EdTech Instructional Lead for District 31 supporting 71+ schools and now as a citywide edtech lead supporting all 5 borough in the NYCDOE. My experiences have been around edtech visioning, professional developing/planning/teaming, infusion of the ISTE standards for all, growth of SAMR and content infused technology along with leadership development with digital citizenship being at the helm of my work.