Unleashing Excellence through the Creation of a Coaching Collaborative

Lauren Boucher has been in public education for over 15 years. She has taught 3rd grade, gifted education in grades K-8, and has served as a district level Digital Teaching and Learning Coach for over 8 years. She joined the NCDPI as the Southeast Digital Teaching & Learning Consultant in January of 2021. Additionally, Lauren has served as the Communications Director for the North Carolina Technology In Education Society, and she has been a presenter with SimpleK12.com since 2013. Lauren is passionate about the transformative possibilities educational technology brings to the table, and loves sharing innovative practices with teachers across North Carolina and beyond.

Jennifer Graham has served as a public educator with Cumberland County Schools since 1995, holding roles such as teacher, instructional coach, and professional development facilitator. In 2023, Jennifer joined the NC DPI as an Innovative Learning Catalyst. Her dedication to preparing students for the future is evident through her involvement in various digital teaching and learning initiatives, including the NC Digital Learning Plan Work Group, NCTIES, NCBOLD, the NC Digital Coaching and SLMC Collaboratives. Jennifer earned the title of ISTE Certified Educator in January 2024! In her free time, Jennifer supervises student teachers through Methodist University.Jennifer Graham has served as a public educator with Cumberland County Schools since 1995, holding roles such as teacher, instructional coach, and professional development facilitator. In 2023, Jennifer joined the NC DPI as an Innovative Learning Catalyst. Her dedication to preparing students for the future is evident through her involvement in various digital teaching and learning initiatives, including the NC Digital Learning Plan Work Group, NCTIES, NCBOLD, the NC Digital Coaching and SLMC Collaboratives. Jennifer earned the title of ISTE Certified Educator in January 2024! In her free time, Jennifer supervises student teachers through Methodist University.

Dr. Ashley McBride is a digital learning leader for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.She has experience as a secondary English teacher, instructional technology facilitator and director of technology. In addition to her work with the state of North Carolina, McBride serves on the board of the North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTIES). Her experiences in K-12 education and her research in the field informed her 2021 ISTE-published book, The Edtech Coaching Primer: Supporting Teachers in the Digital Age Classroom.

Recently named an ISTE certified educator, Brian is the Digital Teaching & Learning Consultant for the Piedmont Triad Region at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. He served as an instructional coach, technology facilitator, and STEM/science teacher in Rowan-Salisbury Schools for 21 years where he lived his passion by transforming education through instructional technology with his most notable teaching experience involving Design Thinking/Challenge Based Learning at North Rowan High. He currently is an adjunct instructor of chemistry at Catawba College and serves as the NCTIES board secretary and the social media manager for NCSTA.