[CASL-L] Winners for learning

[IRENE KWIDZINSKI]

FYI



  
  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Jared Stearns
650-238-0313
jstearns at nbmedia.com
2011 LEADERS OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
BY TECH & LEARNING MAGAZINE
Top Educators in 24th Annual Program to be Profiled in December Issue
SAN BRUNO, CA (December 1, 2011) – Tech & Learning magazine named three 
educators as winners in its 24th annual Leader of the Year program. Sixteen 
additional educators were chosen as runners-up. These visionaries exemplified 
extraordinary education technology leadership, often working within budgetary 
restrictions and limited resources. Among the three winners are a coordinator of 
library information services from Baltimore County Public Schools, a 
superintendent from Tucson, AZ, and a computer science teacher from Wilmington 
DE. 

"Our three winners stood out against a field of more than 120 innovative ed tech 
leaders for a number of reasons," says Kevin Hogan, Editorial Director for 
NewBay Media's Tech & Learning Group. "First was their initiative, breaking out 
into unknown territory and creating new and exciting programs in the classrooms. 
Second was their ability to find the larger context of a successful tech 
integration, which is that all people involved -- students, parents, faculty, 
administration, the boards, the greater public -- also need to be invested. 
Third, it was their understanding that these programs are an ongoing process, 
not just a one-shot deal.
Prizes for the three winners have been graciously donated from the following 
companies: Cerebellum Corporation, Curriculum Associates, ePen & Inc., Epson, 
Inspiration Software, Pearson, Sokikom, TCI, and Vernier Software & Technology.
Please join us in congratulating the winners of the 2011 Tech & Learning Leader 
of the Year program. Look for detailed profiles in the December 2011 Awards 
Issue.
Della Curtis, Coordinator of Library Information Services, Baltimore County 
Public Schools (BCPS)
It's no surprise that Della Curtis received 19 nominations for Leader of the 
Year. This longtime visionary has been singing tech's praises since 1981 and 
recognizes the role technology plays in empowering students to develop their 
full learning potential. From the professional development courses she teaches 
to the webcams she put into every library, Curtis leaves no stone unturned. 
"Della continuously updates herself on what technology is available and how it 
may be used to improve instruction. Through her efforts, the achievement level 
of our students has continued to rise, the quality of education improve, and 
preparation of our students to succeed in a world where an understanding of 
technology important, but necessary," says Robert Zienta, a library information 
specialist at BCPS.
Dr. Manuel L. Isquierdo, Superintendent, Sunnyside Unified School District in 
Tucson, AZ
Most people in Tucson credit Superintendent Dr. Manuel L. Isquierdo for helping 
Sunnyside USD to become the district for students seeking a better education. In 
July 2007, when Dr. Isquierdo took on the top role, Sunnyside was known as a 
dropout factory. Dr. Isquierdo immediately focused on reversing that reputation. 
Using research that showed the value of classroom technology in reducing dropout 
rates, he worked with principals, teachers, and counselors to develop Project 
Graduation: The Digital Advantage, a program that focused the entire community 
on graduation as the primary goal. Through Project Graduation, Sunnyside 
students have earned more than 2,000 netbooks, and the district expects to award 
another 500 by the end of this school year. The total number of computers in the 
district increased to nearly 10,000 last year, up from 844 in 2008. 

David W. Brown, Chair of the Computer Science Department, The Charter School of 
Wilmington (CSW) in Delaware
David Brown has been a teacher, department chair, vice president of technology, 
and technology director. Today he chairs the computer science department at the 
Charter School of Wilmington. Although he's been at CSW for only 15 months, 
Brown has already revamped the computer science department and curriculum and 
written and received a $50,000 co-authored grant from ING Direct Bank to upgrade 
the math and computer science departments' technology programs. With some of the 
grant money, he installed a computer science research lab in which students can 
conduct research and work on higher-level technology projects. Thanks to Brown's 
diligence and perseverance, the school is now able to advance computer science 
as a viable STEM option.
The following 16 educators were chosen as runners up in the program:
• Adam Scott Bellow, founder and president of eduTecher  • David Onyango, 
teacher, Kisumu Girls High School, East Kenya 

• Mark Diehl, district technology coordinator, Little Falls Community Schools 
ISD 482, Minnesota • Karen Owen, director of staff development, Escambia County 
School District, Florida 

• Yannis Grammatis, chief information officer, Chaminade College Preparatory, 
Chatsworth, CA • Amber Phillips, assistant professor of physical education, Ball 
State University, Indiana 

• Alan Haskvitz, social studies teacher, Walnut Valley USD, CA • Jill Ross, 
library media specialist, Morris County School of Technology, New Jersey 

• Jeffrey S. Janover, director of technology, Wall Township Public Schools, New 
Jersey • Sister Mary Ellen Tennity, administrator, Sister Servants of the 
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pennsylvania 

• Joseph Kinch, automotive collision repair, Medford Vocational Technical High 
School, Medford, MA • Michael P. Thompson, technology director, Superior Central 
School District, Michigan 

• Candace Marcotte, sixth-grade teacher, Fortis Academy, Ypsilanti, MI • Sean 
VanScoyoc, IT director, Seneca Valley School District, Pennsylvania 

• Danielle Melfi, technology specialist, P.S. 55, Staten Island, NY • Dale 
Wolfgram, principal, Lutheran West, Ohio 

 
About Tech & Learning
For 30 years, Tech & Learning has been — and continues to be — the leading 
resource for K-12 leaders. Its publications, web sites and events provide 
factual and evaluative information on trends, products, and strategies to 
educators who purchase technology products in their districts and schools. Tech 
& Learning, published by NewBay Media LLC, delivers the highest quality content 
and essential resources to manage, train, and teach technology. For more 
information, visit www.TechLearning.com.
About NewBay Media LLC
NewBay Media's market leading brands are centered on five vertical markets — Pro 
Audio, Broadcast & Video, Musical Instruments, AV/Consumer Electronics and K-12 
Education. NewBay publishes and produces more than 40 publications and show 
dailies, 50 websites, 30 daily and weekly E-Newsletters, three Expos and more 
than 50 custom publishing efforts, annually. NewBay reaches more than three 
million readers in print and one million online and in person — around the world 
in more than 100 countries. Additional information on NewBay can be found by 
visiting http://www.cfmediaview.com/lp1.aspx?v=6_482426190_26076_2.
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