Each school year brings new challenges, but the key for school leaders is to convert these challenges into positive opportunities. During the edLeader Panel “Leading Learning in the 2023-2024 School Year: Challenges and Opportunities,” two superintendents who serve as the Chair and Co-Chair of the CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Advisory Panel, along with the Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, identified five areas of concern for this year and how they are addressing them.
Presented by Dr. Carol Kelley, Superintendent of Schools, Princeton Public Schools (NJ), and Chair of CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Advisory Panel; Dr. Aaron Spence, Superintendent, Loudoun County Public Schools (VA), and Co-Chair of CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Advisory Panel; and Dr. David R. Schuler, Executive Director, AASA, The School Superintendents Association
Moderated by Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
What does it take for a school district to become an award winner? In the case of Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD), it was narrowing the digital access gap, landing it CoSN’s Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity.
Presented by Dr. Roland Hernandez, Superintendent, Corpus Christi Independent School District (TX); Marilyn Doughty, Director, Technology Support Services, Corpus Christi Independent School District (TX); Cary Perales, Director of Instructional Technology, Corpus Christi Independent School District (TX); and Dr. Jill Brown, Director of Professional Learning, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
Moderated by Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking) EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative
Technology equity has evolved over the years, and we must be open to the needs of tomorrow, next year, and five years down the road.
Since 2016, CoSN has been honoring innovative school districts that address digital equity. This year, the prestigious Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity was awarded to Louisa County Public Schools in Virginia.
Presented by Doug Straley, Division Superintendent, Louisa County Public Schools (VA); David Childress, Director of Technology, Louisa County Public Schools (VA); Kenny Bouwens, Director of CTE/STEAM and Innovation, Louisa County Public Schools (VA); and Keith Krueger, Chief Executive Officer, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
Moderated by Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking) EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative
Every year, CoSN awards a school district with the Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity to encourage and recognize those districts that are working to eliminate inequities and narrow the digital access gap. In a recent edWebinar, sponsored by ClassLink and co-hosted by CoSN and AASA, representatives from Desert Sands Unified School District, CA (the 2021 winner) and Santa Fe Public Schools, NM (the 2020 winner) presented their keys to success.
Presented by Scott Bailey, Superintendent, Desert Sands Unified School District (CA); Kelly May-Vollmar, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, Desert Sands Unified School District (CA); Dr. Veronica Garcia, Superintendent, Santa Fe Public Schools (NM); and Dr. Tom Ryan, Retired Chief Information and Strategy Officer, Santa Fe Public Schools (NM)
Moderated by Ann McMullan, Project Director, EmpowerED Superintendent Initiative, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
“Techquity,” as defined by educator and consultant Ken Shelton in a recent edLeader Panel, sponsored by NetRef, is the intersection of the use of technology and ensuring equitable learning environments. He defines equity simply as access and opportunities for all learners to realize their full potential. Whether it is a classroom, the school, or the whole school experience, if a student’s learning environment is not culturally affirming, culturally responsive, and culturally relevant, they cannot connect learning to their real-world environment.