What are your responsibilities as chief technology officer for the Ventura Unified School District? I understand that previously you were director of technology for the Moorpark School District.
As of May 3, I no longer work for Moorpark Unified. I accepted the chief technology officer position for Ventura Unified. However, with both positions I am responsible for technology leadership including recommending and purchasing hardware and software, facilitating curriculum alignment, managing technology staff, etc.
How long have you been in the computer industry?
I’m not in the computer industry. I’m in the education industry. I began my teaching career in 1984 as an elementary general music teacher. Since that time, I taught middle school band for a total of 15 years and high school band for 10 years. During my last teaching job, beginning in 1996, our school had no computers. I partnered with a language arts teacher whose husband worked for the Navy. Long story short, we wrote grants, partnered with the Navy consultants, built a network on NT, bought computers and built our first lab. I became an active member of the district technology team, began taking classes to fill in my gaps of knowledge, became a CTAP mentor and slowly transitioned from being a full-time music teacher to half-time band and half-time technology. In 2008, I was hired as the director of technology for Moorpark Unified.
What drew you to the industry? What do you like most about it?
I was originally drawn to technology from a need to have a computer. In 1996, the only computers at our school site were in the front office for management duties. I had moved to California from Florida, where technology was provided for our classrooms, and when I was hired in Southern California, I had no computer! I couldn’t fathom doing my job without the use of a computer. Through the process of developing the network for our site and building our first Gateway Cow Lab, I discovered that I possessed an aptitude for problem solving (not unlike the rehearsal techniques used in band rehearsals) and grasped the concepts quickly.
What do you like about educational technology?
I enjoy the differentiation technology provides learners. I enjoy watching creative thinking, critical thinking, collaborative thinking and learning happening at all levels. I believe that the use of technological devices increases the capacity for learning as there are so many options for every person and adaptive technologies fills in the gaps and levels the playing field.
When did you join CETPA and why?
I joined CETPA in 2008 when I began my career in technology leadership. As a condition of employment, I was strongly encouraged to participate in the CTO Mentor Program offered through CETPA. I attended my first conference in 2008 and was chosen to participate in the 2009 CTO Mentor Cohort.
My affiliation with CETPA has been a very positive experience and has helped me develop professional relationships allowing me to grow personally and professionally. The CTO Mentor Program was my first foray in the study of leadership, which ultimately inspired me to continue my education in the area of organizational leadership.
Where does CETPA need to grow?
Legislative advocacy…We need to be at the table helping to shape the future of education in California.
What is the greatest challenge facing the industry and how can it be overcome?
In my opinion, the greatest challenge currently is the paradigm shift occurring in education with the transition to Common Core State Standards and the Smarter Balanced computer adaptive assessment. I don’t believe that policy makers, and often educational leadership, completely understand the scope of the change needed to successfully navigate the CCSS and SBAC computer adaptive testing. Twenty-first century learning requires the collaboration of technology and instruction with everyone working toward the same goal.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I am the conductor of a local community concert band, play trumpet in a British Brass band. I’m currently working on my dissertation for my doctoral degree in organizational leadership through Pepperdine University. I play golf and ping pong and love to work in my yard or read a good book.
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