Utilizing Design Thinking and Data to Achieve Innovation in Your School System

Presented by Jason Beyer, Director of Educational Technology, Regis Jesuit High School (CO); Jenny Rothboeck, Principal, East Grand Middle School (CO); Amanda Novak, VP of Innovative Practices, MindSpark Learning; and Kiki Huckaby, Chief Impact Officer, MindSpark Learning

Sponsored by MindSpark Learning

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Think like a designer, act like an alchemist!

This edLeader Panel offers a unique opportunity to learn from a diverse community of education administrators who have a proven track record in the art of alchemy—transforming, creating, and combining—to achieve innovation within their schools and communities. These leaders have consistently demonstrated an efficacy for change by approaching challenges with a curiosity-driven mindset, strategic collaboration, and a bit of magic.

Expect to gain practical insights into the strategies that these education administrators have used to capitalize on data-driven discoveries and to expedite growth. Additionally, you hear how distributed leadership can be used to fortify collective success for your educators, students, and community. This is a must-attend event for anyone interested in utilizing design thinking and data to transmute their school systems.

This recorded edLeader Panel is of interest to PreK-12 school and district leaders.

About the Presenters

Finding his passion expressed in supporting the educational, institutional and technological goals of his school, Jason Beyer is the Director of Educational Technology at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, CO. Jason has completed or participated in many programs with MindSpark Learning, including Education Accelerators 1 and 2, and the STEMpath Cybersecurity program. Jason earned a degree in Communication Arts from Regis University, then went on to receive a Master’s of Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, and a Baccalaureate in Philosophy from the Hochschule für Philosophie in Munich, Germany. Jason has taught at all-girls, co-ed, and all-boys high schools as well as at Santa Clara University.

Jenny Rothboeck has spent the last twelve years serving as principal of East Grand Middle School where she has continually transformed her school systems to better serve her students and staff. Jenny’s passion for education and innovation began back in 2001 (when she started teaching), and she has since cultivated a strong sense of commitment and leadership which she uses to transform her school and community in Granby, CO. Jenny attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA where she received her Bachelor’s in English Language and Literature. Alongside her professional accomplishments, she enjoys spending her free time participating in a range of outdoor activities like hiking and trekking with her husband.

Amanda Novak is the VP of Innovative Practices at MindSpark Learning. Amanda earned her bachelor’s degree in English and education from the University of Colorado Boulder. After teaching with Teach For America, Amanda felt compelled to expand her understanding of behavior and mental health. During her time as an assistant principal, Amanda received her master’s of social work from Colorado State University with a certificate in advanced clinical behavioral health.

Her background as an educator and a social worker has given Amanda a unique perspective on the intersection of education and wellness as well as systemic implications and organizational innovation. She is dedicated to ensuring all people have a voice and positive environments to thrive. Amanda is a connector at heart and loves helping folks find and foster their purpose and belonging. A Colorado native, Amanda can often be found with her kids snowboarding, hiking, running, or binging Netflix.

Kiki Huckaby is a former teacher turned educational catalyst who excels at challenging the status quo by pushing educators to transform their pedagogy to meet the needs of all students. As the current Chief Impact Officer at MindSpark Learning, Kiki brings extensive experience in curriculum development and professional learning to her role. She is a firm believer that students should play an active role in their own education and that educators should facilitate an environment that empowers them to do so. Kiki regularly encourages leadership to embrace a creative culture within their buildings to create engaging learning experiences, and she is also a pioneer in problem-based learning (PBL), which embeds classrooms in real-world problems and meets federal standards in a meaningful and authentic way. Kiki earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a master’s degree in curriculum studies from the University of Northern Colorado.

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

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MindSpark is an innovative organization that believes in the power of education to solve society’s most pressing problems. Their programs deliver cutting-edge professional development experiences for educators, industry partners, and communities, enabling them to take their newly acquired skills back to the classroom and beyond. Since 2017, MindSpark has made an enormous impact, reaching almost 38K professionals and over 1.8M students worldwide. The organization has established meaningful relationships with more than 1000 industry and community partners, serving all 50 states and 88 countries. MindSpark’s programs are designed to bridge the gap between the most highly impacted regions and the leading edge regions, ensuring that everyone has access to the best possible educational resources. By empowering educators and communities with the tools they need to succeed, MindSpark hopes to create a brighter future for all.