Accessibility Adventure

In 2022, I had the pleasure of working directly with Canva as a Canva Learning Consultant, working with over 50 school districts around the world in implementing Canva in their classrooms, where I facilitated three professional development sessions per school as part of an approved Canva learning series. I also had the chance to represent Canva and present at the 2022 ISTE conference in New Orleans.

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I started work as a contractor with the Northwest Council for Computer Education. In this role, I design and deliver professional learning to schools and districts around the country. This includes all modalities of learning, from in-person coaching, in-person training, virtual support, webinars, conference presentations, and instructional design services for organizations including Microsoft and the Library of Congress. During my time with NCCE, I have developed and facilitated over 40 professional learning sessions, impacting over 10,000 learners. For a complete list, please see my CV.

Recent Projects include:

• Development of statewide educator preperatory program on artificial intelligence for the states of North Dakota and Washington, known as the AI innovators program.

As a Coordinator for Technology Innovation in Duval County Public Schools, I developed and facilitated multiple professional learning programs and initiatives for the entire school district. This work would ultimately lead to the development and awarding of a U.S. Department of Education, Emerging Innovation and Research grant. For more information, see the Grant Work page on this website.

DCPS Innovative Educator Program

This professional learning series focused on fostering innovation in the classroom using Microsoft tools. The first class was an introduction to the program and Microsoft Teams, the second course focused on digital Microsoft tools in the classroom, and the final class focused on using video conferencing for field trips and community-based learning. Around 5,000 teachers were trained leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

DCPS Innovative Educator Showcase School Program

Based on the response to the original program, I developed this solution as a response to a need in our district for computers for teachers. As participants in the Innovative Educator program received new computers upon completion, this approach allowed for more focused training and a solution to the computer crisis in the district. 

In this program, an entire school would commit to going through the Innovative Educator program together to foster whole school transformation. Six schools were transitioned to showcase schools during this time.

DCPS Innovative Educator Program: EESS

Based on the response to the original program, I developed this solution as a response to a need in our district for targeted technology integration instruction for teachers of students with special needs. Using my knowledge as a former teacher for students with autism, I partnered with our districts center schools (100% of students in this population are disabled) to provide a version of the DCPS Showcase school program, providing targeted technology innovation in the schools. For this unique cohort, instruction was modified to include targeted instruction in Microsoft's accessibility features. This program was also offered to all district related service providers (occupation therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists) and teachers of students with special needs. Four schools were trained in addition to 100 related service providers.