Shelley Rossitto

As a technology director we are faced with multiple roles and responsibilities. It is almost impossible to be the staff developer, data administrator, infrastructure guru, technical expert, crisis controller, – you get my drift. Empowering those around you that can be more expert than you can benefit those individuals along with programs and improving technology integration. Our teachers and adminstrators are the link to the students. They interact daily with those we are trying to educate. And the big plus is they are already teachers.

I suggest investing in teachers as your leaders. In the old days we might have referred to this as the turn key model of staff development. I would venture to say it would now be providing resources to imbed experts and content closest to our students to improve overall achievement. By empowering teachers as leaders we take our most valuable resource and invest in their continued growth that will ultimately improve integration and collaboration amongst staff.

In our schools we have launched interactive smartboards in almost every classroom in the HS and MS and beginning in the elementaries. In each school there is a highly trained smartboard specialist that is working with our staff developer and smart in the city to be trainers themselves. I also encourage these teachers to present at conferences. By presenting it stimulates them to want to learn more to share with colleagues that will ultimately benefit the staff and students. How many of us have presented at conferences – it validates our work and what we believe in when others respect and look up to us. Promoting experts from within will also build confidence in their abilities as experts and will motivate them to learn more.

I find that teachers really feel comfortable seeking out other teachers for help. Through surveys I have found that one of the greatest stumbling blocks is having someone close by that can help with instructional planning. I am also very concerned that technology is woven into all instructional initiatives so it isn’t seen separately and with imbedded experts in our midst I can ensure that. Other activites that we have embedded experts in are Groupwise, united streaming, software programs, compass learning, etc. It is a great initiative to consider for your technology committees. I am not so sure I believe in the concept of “technology committees” unless they are part of an instructional initiative. I feel if we need the technology we can find the funds. I would rather spend time on planning and instructional initiatives and make my job one that helps to support what they need. Again this is another way to stay focused on instruction, imbed experts, give our teachers the ability to lead and if we can just facilitate and support we can all have a contributing role.