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Collaborative Strategies for Healthy Tech Use in Schools
Monday, June 1, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
Presented by Heather Pennica, CGCIO, CETL, Digital Learning Programs Section Chief, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; Dr. Ashley McBride, Digital Learning Initiatives Section Chief, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; and Sue Thotz, Director of Outreach, Common Sense Media
Sponsored by Common Sense Education
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In an era when screens are everywhere, the classroom should be the safest place for a child to learn how to use them. This edWebinar shifts the conversation from “how much” technology to “how well” we use it.
Join the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as they share their Guidance for Purposeful Screen Use in Schools and Sue Thotz, Director of Education Outreach at Common Sense Media, as they showcase how educators can think purposefully about tech use in the classroom and communicate that intentionality to families. They also share how to model healthy (digital) habits and maintain a healthy “age and stage” balance that respects child development.
By framing technology as an intentional tool for specific learning goals, rather than as a ubiquitous presence, we aim to build a bridge between school and home, ensuring that parents and teachers are on the same team. This edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers and librarians.
About the Presenters
Heather Pennica serves as the Digital Learning Programs Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction with the Digital Learning & School Connectivity Division. She joined this team after serving as the Executive Director of Tech & Media for Wilson County Schools, NC. She has been in education for over 20 years with varied experiences in PreK-12 working as a teacher, media specialist, and instructional technology facilitator prior to transitioning to leadership roles at the district level. In addition to Heather’s degrees and certifications in education, she is also a Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) and a Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO). Heather is a champion for innovation in the areas of media, edtech, and STEM.
Dr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. A nationally recognized leader in digital learning and instructional innovation, she leads statewide initiatives focused on educational technology, coaching, and professional learning. Dr. McBride is the author of The Edtech Coaching Primer: Supporting Teachers in the Digital Age Classroom and has been recognized with the 2025 ISTE+ASCD Making IT Happen Award and the 2022 ISTE 20 to Watch Award.
Sue Thotz (she/her) is the Director of Outreach for Common Sense Education and Co-founder of Equity in Action CA. Based in Los Angeles, she has spent more than a decade partnering with educators, administrators, and district leaders to build cultures where students engage with technology meaningfully, safely, and with a strong sense of identity and belonging. Since joining Common Sense in 2011, Sue has led districtwide implementation of digital citizenship, digital literacy, and well-being curricula to create sustained, systemic change in how schools approach digital life. She holds a master’s degree in public health and undergraduate degrees in zoology and chemistry. She tries to find time to sail with her husband and two adult children.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the Digital Learning & Leadership community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Common Sense Education develops high-quality digital citizenship programs and digital teaching resources, providing educators and students with the digital learning tools they need to harness the power of technology for life.
