Accessibility: Effective, Equitable Learning Environments for All Students

Presented by Matthew J. Miller, Superintendent, Lakota Local Schools, OH; Dr. Tom Muzzey, Superintendent, Orchard Farm R-V School District, MO; and Dr. Donna Wright, Director of Schools, Wilson County Schools, TN
Program Host and Moderator: Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN Empowered Superintendents Program
Sponsored by ClassLink
This edWebinar series is co-hosted by CoSN and edWeb.net

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Accessibility is an essential principle in delivering equal educational opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities and English language learners. But accessibility impacts more than students. Schools and districts also need to ensure that all information provided to the public, parents, guardians and staff is accessible as well. In short, accessibility is part of the education equation. Districts need to keep accessibility policies and practices front and center—and equally important they need to make their commitment vocal and visible. Accessibility for all demands continued attention and ongoing modifications.

In this edWebinar three superintendents share how they are leading the complex issues involved in ensuring accessibility for all within their school districts. Five compelling steps for ensuring accessibility will be articulated with real world examples of the successful strategies that have been used to address accessibility for learning and teaching among all school district stakeholders.

This recorded session is of special value for school superintendents, K-12 school and district leaders, and aspiring leaders.

About the Presenters

Matthew J. Miller is the superintendent of Lakota Local Schools in Ohio. He has spent the last 24 years serving Ohio communities as a superintendent, director of student services and instruction, principal, and teacher. Matt is actively involved in the prestigious and national League of Innovative Schools through Digital Promise, also serving as an elected member of their advisory committee. He was selected as one of 100 superintendents to attend and present at the #FutureReady National ConnectED Superintendents Summit at the White House, was named to the National School Boards Association Top 20 to Watch, and conducted his first TEDx Talk in 2016 entitled Don’t Buy the Book: Cultivate, Curate and Go Open. Having completed his undergraduate and master’s degree at the University of Cincinnati, he was selected for the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Leadership Institute for Superintendents. Matt is grateful for his wife, Kristy, and their two children.

Dr. Thomas Muzzey is currently serving as Superintendent of Schools at Orchard Farm R-V School District in St. Charles County, MO. Prior to his service at Orchard Farm, he served as the superintendent for Warren County R-3 schools. Dr. Muzzey has 30 years of experience in public education as a teacher, assistant principal, assistant superintendent and associate superintendent. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and teaching at Southeast Missouri State University; a master’s degree in education at Webster University; a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration at Southeast Missouri State University; a specialist degree in education administration at University of Missouri St. Louis; and an Ed.D. in education from Maryville University of St. Louis. Most recently, Dr. Muzzey earned his National Superintendent certification from AASA in 2017.

Dr. Donna Wright began serving as Director of Schools for Wilson County Schools, TN in 2014. Under her guidance, district-wide academic performance has significantly improved; the district is undergoing the largest school building program in the history of the county; a concentrated emphasis on early literacy instruction is a focal point; and college and career readiness is a hallmark in middle and high schools. She has worked in public school education, K-12 and higher ed, for over 36 years. Dr. Wright holds a doctorate in leadership studies from the University of Tennessee, has earned several awards, including the Women of Achievement Award and the UT Educators Hall of Honor Award, has authored several articles in educational publications, and continues to serve as an adjunct professor at various institutions of higher learning.

About the Host

Ann McMullan is a 34-year veteran educator who served as the executive director for educational technology in the Klein Independent School District, located just outside Houston, Texas until September 2013, when she and her family moved to Los Angeles, California. For 16 years Ann led the team in Klein ISD that provided professional development on technology and 21st century instructional strategies to over 4,000 professional educators serving over 50,000 students. During that time Ann also co-chaired the Texas Education Technology Advisory Committee which developed the Texas Education Agency’s Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.

Today, she is based in Los Angeles, California working as a public speaker, writer, and independent education consultant focused on supporting leadership, visioning and planning to meet the needs of today’s students. She is a frequent presenter at state, national and international education conferences. Ann serves as project director for CoSN’s Empowered Superintendents Program. She serves on the board of PowerMyLearning Los Angeles and on the advisory board of Project Tomorrow. In the fall of 2016 Ann co-authored and published Life Lessons in Leadership: The Way of the Wallaby.

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CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking) is the premier professional association for school system technology leaders. CoSN provides thought leadership resources, community, best practices and advocacy tools to help leaders succeed in the digital transformation. CoSN represents over 13 million students in school districts nationwide and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education.