Inspiring Tips from 40 Strong Women in EdTech: Implementing Technology in the Classroom

In the dynamic world of education technology, where innovation and progress continue to shape the classroom experience, it’s crucial to spotlight the remarkable women who are driving change and breaking down barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. While women have long been the backbone of education, their voices and contributions in the realm of EdTech have often been overlooked.

In this blog post, we celebrate and draw inspiration from 40 visionary women (in random order!) who have not only embraced the digital revolution but have also emerged as trailblazers in steering the course of technology implementation in classrooms and beyond. This article is also an invitation to learn from their experiences, amplifying the voices of women who are making waves in the evolving world of EdTech. Each of these women has their ultimate edtech tip for you. Make sure to read all the way through as you will get inspired and take their insights into your classroom practice.

1. Beth Evans-Lewis

Beth Evans-Lewis is a Visual Thinker & EdTech Trainer. With over a decade of experience in the education sector, including 8 years as a dedicated primary school teacher specializing in ICT and Key Stage 2, she has developed a unique knack for simplifying the complex. As a skilled Sketchnoter and Visual Thinker, she’s passionate about using visuals to bridge understanding gaps and make learning accessible for all. She’s an Apple Professional Learning Specialist and a Google Trainer and continues to explore the dynamic intersection of technology and education. Her time as a Learning Technologist means she deeply understands leveraging digital tools to provide transformative learning experiences.

💡Beth’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Let your students play with new technology before trying to get them to use it in a lesson! Often, they will pick up on things they can teach you or their peers. Next, apply what they’ve developed with the technology in your lesson - win-win!

2. Cat Lamin

Cat is a Freelance EdTech Consultant. When leaving the classroom behind - as a former primary school teacher with a love for computing and technology - she became passionate about sharing her experiences of mental health struggles and discussing equality and stereotypes in computing teaching and the industry.

💡Cat’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Don’t be afraid to try something new. What’s the worst that can happen?

3. Louise Jones

Louise is the Chief Community Officer at ThingLink. Louise has a rich background in education, community, and youth culture, with a keen focus on how social change and technological advancements influence learning methods and theories in both pedagogy and andragogy. Before her tenure at ThingLink, Louise was part of Google for Education. Her extensive experience spans three decades in the education sector, where she worked with education authorities in Portsmouth and the Scottish Highlands. Her work primarily revolved around developing strategies for inclusive education and digital learning.

💡Louise’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: There’s a real opportunity here with the introduction of AI to encourage students (and educators) to be curious, look at the content they see, and question why they are seeing it, who generated it and what is the ‘intent’ behind it. This could be the very break we need to develop very relevant critical skills and digital fluency - If you can see the ‘intent’ behind AI-generated content, you can more easily see the ‘intent’ behind other forms of content you see, too! Learn to wear BS goggles!

4. Sabine Bruininx

Sabine is Product Owner at Prowise. After teaching enthusiastically for 10 years, Sabine made the move to Prowise and joined the #WomenInTech. Embracing the rise of AI, she actively brings her colleagues up to date on current educational developments and is the educational and guiding hub within various development teams at Prowise.

💡Sabine’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: My main advice is to be bold. Dare - especially now, during the rise of generative AI - to actively experiment with it.

5. Petia Maximova

Petia is the Head of Education Sales EMEA for Canva where she oversees the strategy, growth, and impact of Canva in the education sector. She’s also a Guest Lecturer at Rotterdam Business School, where she provides 200+ students with intensive, hands-on Canva training and alternative perspectives on digital marketing and sales. In addition, Petia enrolled in a Master’s Degree Program at Harvard Business School via its Extension School, with a focus on Finance. Before joining Canva, she was the Head of Sales and Customer Success at Kaleido AI, a leading AI-powered image and video editing company. There, she led a team of sales and customer success professionals and secured multiple large contracts with global clients.

💡Petia’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: While some tools may seem like a great fit, they may not be the best fit for your education goals, so be selective! Consider the learning curve. Some tools are intuitive and easy to use, while others require more training. Make sure you choose a tool that you and your colleagues can learn quickly and easily.

Find Petia at ISTELive 2024: Visit the Canva for Education Booth #332!

6. Marika Lecointe-Charles

Marika is a former Media Studies teacher who has always had a passion for education, young people, and tech. She has taught across a variety of secondary schools and FE colleges in London. In addition to her classroom experience, she has worked for several Local Authorities. As a Google for Education Certified Trainer, she supports educators and students to build their confidence and digital literacy. She thrives in making teaching and learning fun, interactive, and collaborative.

💡Marika’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Allow tech to save you time and help you work smart.

7. Lucia Dellagnelo

Lúcia Dellagnelo holds a Doctor in Education degree from Harvard University and is an international expert on policies for the use of technology in education. She has held leadership positions at government and civil society organizations, acting as Santa Catarina´s State Secretary of Sustainable Economic Development and president of the Center of Innovation for Brazilian Education-CIEB. Currently, she is a member of the High-Level Technical Committee of the Latin American Laboratory for the Assessment of Quality in Education (LLECE/UNESCO) and works as a consultant for international organizations such as The Worldbank and IADB on innovation and digital education policies.

💡Lucia’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Use technology to enhance your teaching, but never forget that it is about pedagogy, not technology

8. Carla bell

Carla, a Health & Food Technology teacher and leader of the Google Educator Group for Scotland, became a champion of educational technology inspired by her dyslexic son’s needs. Working at a digital school, she saw firsthand the benefits of tech for dyslexic students. Committed to digital equity, Carla extends her expertise by training educators across Scotland and the UK while advocating for those hesitant about technology. Her leadership roles in learning and multiple digital schools underscore her dedication to transformative educational practices.

💡Carla’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Pursue your interests with confidence! Don’t let your organization’s preferences limit you. While you might need to self-fund your professional development, remember that you have the right to grow in your chosen direction.

9. Rosa Liarte Alcaine

Rosa is a Geography and history teacher at a secondary public school in Málaga, Spain, and she also teaches a Master degree in Education Technology at the Universidad Europea. She runs training for teachers as a Google Trainer, Google Innovator, and Google Champion.

As a lover of using technology in class, she uses the flipped classroom and project-based learning with his students. You can see all of her work at leccionesdehistoria.com, and learn about the use of new technologies in the classroom on her personal blog. Also, make sure to join her innovative project about gender equality here #womendeserveastreet.

💡Rosa’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Patience is the wisest science. And with technology we have to be patient in learning it and constantly updating it.

10. Cat Spencer

Cat is the Country Manager for USA/UK Education at Genially. Starting her career in the classroom, she now works with educators around the world to help them understand how edtech tools can add value to their lives. She has spoken at conferences around the world on topics ranging from gamification to accessibility and is a passionate advocate for leveraging technology to improve teaching and learning.

💡Cat’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Take it slow but give it a go! Embrace technology as a tool to enhance learning rather than a substitute for what works for you. But sometimes, dare to be different - try out new tools, engage with their communities, and stay open to learning alongside your students. You never know when you’ll discover a new classroom game-changer!

Find Cat at ISTELive 2024: Catch her at the Genially Booth #916. Check out all their social media for an incredible Scavenger Hunt challenge, and be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes!

11. Kristina Hertzig

Kristina is the head of International Education at Canopy. A seasoned international educator, Kristina’s passion for EdTech led her from classroom teacher to digital learning coach, empowering educators worldwide to embrace technology to redefine teaching and learning. Her expertise guides schools in developing impactful tech programs, providing invaluable support to educators and enabling them to confidently integrate technology into their teaching. Today, at Canopy, Kristina spearheads innovative initiatives that personalize learning and create engaging experiences for students and teachers globally.

💡Kristina’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Embrace Technology as a Tool for Transformation, Not Just Automation: Don’t see EdTech as simply replacing traditional teaching methods. Instead, leverage its potential to revolutionize learning experiences, personalize instruction, and empower students. Explore innovative EdTech tools that foster collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Remember, technology is a powerful tool, but effective teaching still requires human connection, guidance, and emotional support.

Find her colleague, Emma Pass, at ISTELive 2024: with a session on “Digital Citizenship in the Age of AI” on Sunday June 23rd at 1pm at ISTE.

12. Monica Burns

Dr. Monica Burns is an EdTech and Curriculum Consultant, EdTech Essentials (ASCD) author, and former New York City public school teacher. She works with schools and organizations worldwide to support PreK-20 educators with thoughtful technology integration. Monica’s website ClassTechTips.com and Easy EdTech Podcast help educators place “tasks before apps” by promoting deeper learning with technology.

💡Monica’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Make the most of AI this year to tackle tedious tasks and gather ideas to boost student engagement. For example, take stock of your to-do list, from organizing or summarizing information for students. Then, craft prompts that help you address these tasks. Chatbots are great at following clear instructions, so the more specific, the better. You can use generative AI to create lists of ideas for student activities related to student interests. Try a prompt like, “I’m teaching [topic] to [grade], and they love [interests]. Make a list of connections that can help them stay engaged and retain knowledge.”

Find Monica at ISTELive 2024:

June 23, 2024

• 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: 20+ Creative Approaches to Revamp Your Formative Assessment Routines [Room TBD]

June 24, 2024

• 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Explore Chatbots: How Educators Can Streamline Tasks & Understand AI’s Impact [Innovation Arcade: Connections Stage]
• 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM: Formative Assessment with Book Creator [Booth # TBD]
• 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 10 Ways to Scale Your Impact With AI Tools [Room TBD]
• 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM How to Use Chatbots to Save Time This School Year [ISTE Learning Stage]

June 25, 2024

• 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM 10 Engaging Classroom Projects That Harness Social Media Trends [Room TBD]

13. Laura Walter-Goudsmit

Every Child deserves good digital education. As a woman, mother, and CEO of Edutrainers, Laura strives for better (digital) education for and by teachers in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. So that all children develop the right digital literacy and skills to function optimally in the digitally transforming society.

💡Laura’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Life-long learning, you will learn by doing and upskilling yourself!

14. Jess Tyerman-Marsh

Jessica is an international educator & non-profit founder with 18 years experience educating learners of all ages. She obtained a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology while working on a federal grant with her University of Southern California professors. She’s lived in several countries, working in schools as a teacher, coordinator, and librarian. Jess has designed a curriculum and a SaaS product, conducted professional development, presented at conferences, and contributed to educational articles & textbooks. As a Google for Education program manager, she advocated for gamified and adaptive learning technologies in educational institutions.

💡Jess’ Ultimate EdTech Tip: Literacy skills (of all types, including digital) are essential to promote lifelong learning & create global citizens.

15. Farah Joukhadar

Farah is a passionate French teacher, ISTE educator, and Google Trainer devoted to tech-driven education. Crafting dynamic language learning with a focus on accessibility, she leverages Edtech tools for immersive experiences. Committed to fostering continuous learning, Farah aims to inspire transformative education through inclusive practices.

💡Farah’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Embrace Continuous Learning: Stay open to exploring new technologies and attending professional development sessions regularly to keep your teaching methods current and effective.

16. Chynel McKrink

Chynel is a Foundation Teacher responsible for the school’s digital curricular development. She’s a Google Coach and Trainer whose passion and interest is to create engaging and creative classrooms that integrate digital technologies in order to empower learning through understanding of learner needs and variability. Chynel loves working with other educators to create projects that support staff development on their digital journey and understanding how technology can create a culture of independence and problem-solving through personalized learning experiences when used in authentic and thoughtful ways.

💡Chynel’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Engage online with a Personal Learning Network that challenges you, champions you, and builds on your own creativity with their energy and support.

17. Jasmin Good

Jasmin is the Lead Advisor at Constructor for Schools. She worked as a primary school teacher in Switzerland, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Italy and is passionate about enabling all children with basic skills in reading, writing, and math. Therefore, she joined Constructor for Schools 4 years ago, which develops and distributes learning software for basic skill acquisition. As an advisor, she helps schools get the most out of learning software and helps them implement it into their daily school life.

💡Jasmin’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Check who develops the edtech tools and if there is any research behind it that proves it’s effectiveness.

18. Tracey Pitts

With over two decades in educational development, Tracey focuses on utilizing Ed Tech to enhance teaching and learning from primary to higher education in her job as an EdTech consultant. She specializes in pedagogy and tech integration, leading professional development in both the UK and the US. She is dedicated to innovative teaching, combining diverse learning methods with both low and high-tech tools. Her approach emphasizes engaging, creative, and resourceful educational solutions, fostering collaboration among educators and students.

💡Tracey’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Delve into the creative potential of technology by exploring unconventional applications and engaging in discussions with students about their innovative ideas

19. Tisha Poncio

Tisha Poncio is responsible for Community Engagement within the Wakelet team. With a Master of Science in Learning Technologies from the University of North Texas (2019), she passionately inspires learners, educators, and leaders. With over two decades in education and instructional design, her energy drives success as a teacher, digital learning coach, and leader. Throughout her career, Tisha has left a lasting impact on her students, guiding them in subjects ranging from Web Design, Graphic Design, Business Computers, and Computer Programming to English, Broadcast Journalism, and Entrepreneurship. Tisha’s commitment to staying at the forefront of educational technology and emerging technologies is evident throughout her journey.

💡Tisha’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Never stop learning! It is the only way to stay ahead of the skills you’re students will need you to guide them through to prepare for their college and career paths. Modeling this attribute will empower them to continue to learn and strive for excellence instead of perfection.

Find Tisha at ISTELive 2024: Visit the Wakelet booth #942 🙌

20. Kasey Bell

Kasey Bell is a former middle school teacher turned award-winning digital learning coach at Shake Up Learning. She is also an international speaker, author of Blended Learning with Google, Google A to Z, and Shake Up Learning, blogger at ShakeUpLearning.com, and host of The Shake Up Learning Show Podcast.

💡Kasey’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: It’s never about the technology. It’s about the LEARNING. And… Always have a plan B!

21. Monika Katkute

As a founder of Teachers Lead Tech, Monika is building a new way to teach Computer Science through teacher support and student curiosity-led pedagogy.

💡Monika’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Play the long game.

22. Débora Garofalo

Débora Garofalo, an accomplished educator, and author with a solid academic background, has pioneered the Robotics with Scrap Metal teaching methodology, implemented as a state policy. Garofalo has shaped the Brazilian public educational system through innovative and impactful programs and publications. Currently Director of Pedagogical Innovation at MultiRio/SME RJ, she received international recognition and prizes, including the MIT 2019 Creative Learning Challenge and the 2019 UN Peacekeepers Medal. Named one of the Top 10 Teachers in the World by the Global Teacher Prize in 2019, she is also an active member of São Paulo’s Human Rights Commission.

💡Débora’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: EdTech needs to be used with pedagogical intention. Therefore, it is essential to understand its role as an object of knowledge and as a teaching tool to awaken and involve students in relevant actions.

23. Denise Dujmic

Denise is a former mechanical engineer with an inherent passion for positively impacting lives, now an EdTech enthusiast with international experience. Currently serving as a Partner Business Manager, Denise is dedicated to shaping a worldwide impact on lifelong learning. Contributing to Constructor for Schools, she focuses on innovative solutions for math, reading, and writing skills backed by neuroscience and pedagogical expertise. In this dynamic international setting, she discovers personal and professional growth opportunities. She’s committed to transforming lives through research-backed and inclusive education, supporting children with dyslexia and dyscalculia, as well as gifted learners. Eager to make Constructor solutions globally accessible, Denise engages with business owners or decision-makers who could see added value for their business in distributing our solutions. Finally, as she is aspiring to be a future mom, she loves keeping up with the latest in education to ensure she’s well-prepared for what’s available on the market.

💡Denise’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Remember who you are as an educator, and stay true to your passion, motivations, and values. Your authenticity shapes a positive learning environment, impacting students beyond the curriculum.

24. Shirley van Heijningen

Shirley is a teacher, Google Trainer, Innovator, and co-founder of Digital Skills. In her role as a GEG Leader for the Netherlands, she inspires fellow educators to get the most out of Google for Education in their classrooms. Shirley brings together teachers with eye-opening classroom solutions using Google products.

💡Shirley’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Be a member of an edtech community to follow along with updates and have a space where you get inspired and ask questions. For example, become a member of a GEG (Google Educator Group) in your country.

25. Victoria Thompson

Victoria Thompson, M.S. is a K-12 Education Strategist at CDW Education leading the Southeastern US. With experience as a former K-12 educator, instructional coach, and member of school district leadership in South Carolina and Washington state, and experience as an Education Industry Executive and Customer Success Account Manager at Microsoft Education, she is known for bringing enthusiasm and industry expertise to education and technology communities. She works alongside school leadership and technology professionals to bring viable strategy and business solutions to the forefront. In 2023 she won the title of one of the Top 10 Most Visionary Leaders in Education by CIO Look Magazine. Additionally, she was awarded the title of one of the top 30 K-12 IT influencers in 2021 by EdTech Magazine and one of the ISTE Top 20 to Watch in 2023. She lives in Winter Garden, FL with her wife, Kourtney, and their dog, Ren.

💡Victoria’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: When implementing a new tool, device, program, or platform, explore it yourself before you use it with colleagues and students! When you do this, you’ll discover what you like about what you’re using, the features that can enhance your instruction and workflow, and even how you can use it more in the future.

Find Victoria at ISTELive 2024: I’ll be giving a presentation on “5 Ways to Leverage AI to Improve Your Wellbeing as An Educator” on Wednesday, June 26th from 10:30 - 11:30 AM MT, as well as facilitating a panel on “Equity and Access in Educational Technology” on Wednesday, June 26th from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MT. Otherwise, folks can find me in the CDW booth!

26. Helen Newies

Helen is the Director of Product and Services at Maths Circle. When she was a child, her hobby was writing revision guides! She earned her EdTech stripes during her 11 years as Director of Operations at the award-winning secondary resource GCSEPod. Supporting thousands of teachers to roll out and embed EdTech was her mission and passion. Fast forward a few years, and she is now a part of the epic Maths Circle team, helping over 1 million kids each week to improve their numeracy through Times Tables, Rock Stars, and NumBots. Oh, and the kids get to become Rock Stars, too! Win, win!

💡Helen’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Make the tech ‘visible’ in your classroom and school. Most EdTech resources are exclusively online, so to keep them in pupils’ minds and make them a go-to resource, it’s crucial to make their presence not just known, but felt in your physical space (or, IRL, as the cool kids say)! Build up a buzz of excitement even before you roll out new EdTech by creating a promotional poster campaign around school with phrases like “It’s coming!” and “The wait is over…”. Recruit your most artistic pupils to design eye-catching displays in your classroom. Build regular award ceremonies with certificates of achievement into assemblies, cementing good use of EdTech as a core part of pupil achievement. Have a physical stall showcasing your EdTech resources at parents’ evenings. In short, bring the technology to life by embedding it into school life and your classroom environment.

27. Kim van Veenendael

Kim is a passionate educator with over 15 years of experience in the EdTech field, specializing in integrating technology into the classroom. She is a community leader, a Google Certified Trainer and the founder of the EdTech Way. The EdTech Way is a company dedicated to helping teachers effectively utilize technology to enhance learning experiences for their students. With a deep understanding of both the Google and education landscape, Kim brings a unique perspective and commitment to improving education through technology.

💡Kim’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Try to transform your classroom into a dynamic learning environment where technology serves as a catalyst for creativity and innovation. That are most likely the skills your students will need in their future jobs. It’s helpful and time saving to use tech for students to practice reproducing the correct answers. But how valuable would it be to enable and inspire students on how to find new questions to ask, new ideas to be wondering about… Let’s enable student-driven projects, collaborative learning activities, and digital storytelling to help students be creative and innovative.

28. Tahra J. Tibbs

Tahra, currently the Senior Manager of the Educators Community at ViewSonic, is an accomplished, results-oriented professional with extensive experience in curriculum development, instructional design, go-to-market plans, project/program management, and corporate training.

💡Tahra’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Use myViewBoard software to create engaging, interactive lessons tailored to individual student needs. With features like digital whiteboarding, multimedia integration, and easy access to cloud storage, you can design personalized learning experiences that cater to different learning styles. The platform also allows for seamless integration with Google Classroom, enhancing your ability to meet students where they are and provide targeted feedback.

Find Tahra at ISTELive 2024: In the ViewSonic Booth!

29. Ann Kozma

Ann is passionate about empowering others with technology. She is an Educator Innovation Lead at Microsoft Flip, a former 1st Grade teacher, K-8 Innovation TOSA, and an Apple Distinguished Educator 2015 Alumni. Find her on social at @annkozma723 or visit Flip to learn more.

💡Ann’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Play to learn! Seriously! I always want learning to come alive for the students and educators I work with. Play based experiences are great ways to explore possibilities for using technology in class to transform teaching and learning. If we step out of our comfort zones and try something new, we are more likely to build that kind of safe space for our learners. Learning by doing helps foster active engagement, piques interest, sparks new learning connections and yes, can make learning even more fun and enjoyable.

Find Ann at ISTELive 2024: I’ll be doing a “Creativity jam with the Flip Camera” Monday, June 26, 12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. and another session to “Foster an inclusive and accessible classroom with Flip” Tuesday, June 27, 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

30. Claudia Fisanotti

Claudia is an enthusiastic EFL teacher with a fervent commitment to fostering digital intercultural communication in the classroom. Always eager to expand her skill set, she embraces continuous learning and thrives on discovering new educational techniques. Beyond her role as a teacher, she is deeply engaged in teacher training, where she takes pleasure in sharing contemporary and creative digital ideas to empower fellow educators. Claudia’s passion lies in integrating digital applications seamlessly into the teaching environment, contributing to a dynamic and engaging learning experience for both students and colleagues alike.

💡Claudia’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Explore Tools Gradually! Introduce new tools gradually to avoid overwhelming yourself and your students. Start with one or two applications that align with your teaching goals and progressively incorporate more as you become comfortable! One more thing… use creativity with no moderation!

31. Aileen Wallace

Aileen has been a secondary school teacher in Falkirk, Scotland since 2005, but only got into edtech in 2023. Now as an enthusiastic edtech amateur, proud cofounder of the Eduguardians, and ambassador for Curipod, SchoolAI and Quizizz, Aileen has presented at virtual and in person conferences on how to get started with edtech and shares additional encouragement via her blog for techophones to give edtech a go.

💡Aileen’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Get yourself a good PLN. Start with one thing to tackle one issue and don’t feel you have to be perfect.

32. Katie Nieves Licwinko

Katie Nieves Licwinko is currently the Teacher/Coordinator of Educational Technology Integration for the Wayne Township Public School District, where she provides technology professional development and support for fifteen schools. She started her career as a middle school special education teacher. Katie has an Ed.D. in Educational Technology Leadership and is a Google Certified Innovator and Trainer. She is the founder and host of Assembling Inclusion, a podcast and eLearning platform centered on disability inclusion and accessibility. Katie is dedicated to using technology to support and empower all learners.

💡Katie’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Always start with the needs of the learner. Once that need is identified, then you can start thinking about possible technology option to better support them in the classroom. When thinking about integrating technology, identify how the tool or strategy can be used to eliminate barriers, increase access and opportunity, and empower your learners.

Find Katie at ISTELive 2024: “Designing Engaging, Self-Paced E-learning Courses for Continued Professional Learning” (virtually) on Saturday, June 22 at 2 PM MT and “Artificial Intelligence and UDL: Leveraging AI Tools to Support Student Learning Needs” (virtually) on Sunday, June 23 at 8 AM MT.

33. Megan Marcum

Megan Marcum is the digital learning coach for Bowling Green Independent School District in Bowling Green, KY. Before taking on this role, she taught for 10 years in the elementary classroom, where she discovered slightly obsessive passions for history and educational technology.

💡Megan’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Ultimately, tech is not the answer, teaching is. If the tech helps the teacher and students accomplish their learning goals, then use it. If it does not, simply don’t. Align yourself with people who use technology to reach new heights, rather than as a toy or teacher-replacer. We are in a culture of consumption & speedruns. In that landscape, you must have students of all ages use technology to create rather than just click & consume. Creativity thrives with parameters, so don’t ever assign a project without a template and a model. Don’t have time for all that? Call in your tech coach! Canva is always open on my device!

Find Megan at ISTELive 2024: Join the fun at TeachMeet ISTE Sunday morning or swing by the poster session: “Teach2Transform: A Field Guide to Building Better PD!” on Tuesday, 3:30 – 5 p.m.

34. Christie Cloud

Christie Cloud is a virtual teacher with 23 years of experience in education. She was recognized in 2022 as both a GaETC Rising Star and the Nearpod North Star Educator of the Year. Christie was named the 2023 Empower Teacher of the Year; additionally, she is an adjunct professor at Thomas University where she teaches the Integration of Classroom Technology to tomorrow’s teacher candidates. Christie has spoken at and hosted various edtech conferences and is a founding member of the EduGuardians.

💡Christie’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: The vast number of edtech tools available can be daunting for many teachers. It isn’t necessary to master every tool available. Focus on becoming proficient with a select few, ideally 3 or 4, that both you and your students feel comfortable using. This will ensure that you don’t feel overwhelmed and the tools work to boost student productivity and learning. Develop a strong Professional Learning Network (PLN) to elevate your teaching with edtech insights and support. My PLN, the EduGuardians, has been instrumental in providing valuable resources, fostering collaborations, and facilitating my growth as an educator. A robust PLN is key to navigating the evolving landscape of educational technology.

Find Christie at ISTELive 2024: “From Script to Screen” on Tuesday, June 25, 5-6 pm and in the Genially Booth 916, “Picture This: AppSmashing with Interactive Images”.

35. Alexis Moretti

Alexis is currently a Sales Executive to Cignition, a K-12 High Impact Tutoring Program aimed to build conceptual learning amongst students. Alexis has 9 years of tech sales experience, 7 of them being in Edtech. Her passion for education evolved after hosting summer coding classes for kiddos during her time at Microsoft. She is new to Colorado but not new to the beauties of the state and its surrounding areas. In her free time, she is out exploring the great outdoors; hiking Colorado’s famous 14ers & off-roading in the backcountry. Alexis also has the notoriety of being one of Kate Baker’s stand-out former students.

💡Alexis’ Ultimate EdTech Tip: Think outside the box & try new things. There’s so many tools and resources out there, which can be quite overwhelming. Think about how you can be innovative in how these tools are used. Your students recognize passion; be creative! Make learning as fun and engaging as possible. Work with your vendors in creating a successful implementation. We’re all in it to help students and want to ensure your kiddos are optimizing the usage of an evidence-based program for the best results. Keywords- Evidence-Based! Many of the Client Success Managers, Program Managers, Implementation Specialist, etc. reaching out were former educators. They are rooting for you to succeed!!!

Find Alexis at ISTELive 2024: Walking around and checking out sessions.

36. Oona Abrams

Oona Marie Abrams is a district curriculum administrator in northern New Jersey. Most recently, she has written for English Leadership Quarterly, the journal of the Council on English Leadership (CEL). She is an active member of NCTE, CEL, ASCD, and the Paramus Summer Literacy Institute. Currently, she is pursuing her Ed.D. at Seton Hall University. Follow her on X @oonziela or Instagram @mrs._abrams

💡Oona’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Productivity tools help teachers get better at their craft and make better choices about instructional design. You know you have a great edtech tool when you feel as if using it has been an investment, not an expense.

37. Erin Dowd

Erin Dowd has been an educator, education consultant, writer, and presenter for almost two decades. She holds a master’s degree in Global and International Education from Drexel University and was named an ASCD Emerging Leader in 2017. A veteran classroom teacher and curriculum director in the Netherlands, US, India, and Honduras, Erin has spent her career working to provide equitable education for students all over the world. Currently, she serves as the Program Manager for the ISTE Seal.

💡Erin’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Educators have the power to demand better products. If it’s not easy to use the first time, let the company know! You shouldn’t have to design “workarounds” because the product doesn’t do what it’s supposed to. Tech should make it easier to meet students where they are and make your life easier. When you use tech, ask yourself, how is this tool helping me do something I couldn’t do otherwise? Ask students to co-design learning experiences with tech that are meaningful, relevant, and connected to standards.

Find Erin at ISTELive 2024: Learning Lab R&D booth and a session called Empowering Learning with Technology, Your Guide to Choosing Quality Edtech on Tuesday at 1:30 Colorado Convention Center room ¹⁰⁷⁄₉.

38. Jessica L. Williams

Jessica L. Williams is the Community Lead at mmhmm, a video recording and conferencing software that helps people make elevated and engaging speaker-led videos quickly. She has a passion for helping individuals become stronger, more intentional trainers, presenters, and communicators. Prior to that, she was a Technology Integration Specialist and co-teacher for the IMS News class for Illing Middle School in Connecticut. She has presented at numerous conferences all over the world on how to effectively integrate technology in meaningful ways.

💡Jess’ Ultimate EdTech Tip: When it comes to students and technology, it’s a toy before it’s a tool! Give your learners the time to play and familiarize themselves with that new platform with a low-lift, fun activity before you require them to demonstrate their knowledge on a specific topic. When you introduce a new project or tech tool to your learners, show them that you’re learning too! Make your own teacher-created exemplar. Not only does this demonstrate to your students that you are learning alongside them, but it will also elucidate the expectations for the assignment.

39. Stephanie Howell

Stephanie has been in education since 2014. She has spoken at conferences around the globe and her most recent achievements are being apart of the team named ISTE’s Distinguished District, WOSU Leadership Award, a Google Innovator, and PLSD’s Innovative Leader award. Stephanie is one of the founding members of Global GEG and Gold EDU. Stephanie has a masters in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership.

💡Stephanie’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Building a personalized learning network in education can greatly enhance your professional growth and teaching effectiveness. One key tip is to diversify your network by connecting with individuals from various backgrounds, roles, and expertise areas. This diversity can bring fresh perspectives and insights into your practice. Actively engage in online communities, attend conferences, and participate in workshops to expand your network and stay updated on the latest trends and research in education. Don’t underestimate the power of mentorship and peer support within your network; seek out mentors who can provide guidance and support, and collaborate with peers to exchange ideas and resources.

Find Stephanie at ISTELive 2024:

• June 23 & 26 Stop by the Kami Booth
• June 23 The EdTech Bake Off
• June 24 EdTech Coaches Playground Building Trust: The Foundation of a Safe Coaching Space
• June 24 Empowering Creative and Critical Thinking with PBL
• June 26 ISTE Making Thinking Visible: Strategies for Enhancing Learning

Our turn!

40. Lucie Renard

I’m Lucie Renard, head author of the BookWidgets Teacher Blog (the one you’re on right now!) and digital marketeer at BookWidgets - a content creation and evaluation tool for teachers.

💡Lucie’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: Push buttons!

• Push a tool’s buttons - Literally: The buttons won’t explode… Practice, try, fail, rise, do it again, learn. Only then will you figure out what a tool can do for you. Every tool will be new at the beginning. But, more important, every edtech tool is built to support and benefit teachers and students. If you don’t try, you’ll never find out.
• Push your administration’s buttons - Figuratively: Make waves and take action. If you want to use edtech in your classroom, you need to ask for it. Show them how a tool can help you, your fellow teachers, and your students. Make a case. The more teachers ask, the more you push the administration’s buttons to purchase. Here’s an interesting blog post that will help you with choosing the right tools. The more parameters you can check off, the easier it will be to convince your administration for a purchase.

Find Lucie at ISTELive 2024: You can find me at the “Chopped” Playground - Edtech Kitchen on Sunday, June 23 at 1 pm MT as a participant in the “Great EdTech Bake-off” and at 2:30 pm on stage 2 showcasing “6 Fun Recipes with Google Ingredients”. On Monday, June 24 at 10:30 am MT I’ll also give a Listen & Learn snapshot session: 4 Steps to Create Digital & Personalized Feedback Loops That Make Students Grow“

41. Kate Baker

And, I’m Kate Baker, one of the authors of the BookWidgets Teacher Blog and the Head of Community Engagement at BookWidgets. With over 24 years of experience in education as a high school English teacher, swim coach, professional developement consultant, and adjunct professor at The College of New Jersey, I have dedicated my career to elevating educator voices and empowering teachers to create classroom learning communities with their students by fusing educational technology and social emotional learning with human-centered design and flipped-blended instructional strategies.

💡Kate’s Ultimate EdTech Tip: As you explore new edtech tools, always remember that the teacher is the pilot, the students are the navigators, pedagogy is the driver, and technology is the accelerator to your learning goals. Embrace technology as a means to amplify your teaching effectiveness and inspire your students’ learning journey.

Find Kate at ISTELive 2024: Join me for “Exploring an ISTE Seal-Certified Tool: Elevating Learning Design for Student Success” on Monday, June 24 at 10 am MT on the Learning Stage, the “Base Camp for Creatives Playground” on Monday, June 24, 3-5 pm MT in Playground A, and “4 Steps for Supporting your Students’ Creativity with BookWidgets” on Wednesday, June 26 12-1:30 pm MT in the Bluebird Ballroom Lobby, Table 21. I’ll also be doing a guest spot in Genially’s booth, number 916, sharing “Interactive Magic: How to App Smash BookWidgets and Genially” on Tuesday, June 25 at 2 pm MT.

That’s it! We hope you got some great tips on implementing edtech in your classroom, or on a bigger scale, in your school. Give these fine ladies a follow on LinkedIn so they can keep inspiring you. ✨ And… When you visit ISTE Live this month, you know where to find us and the other ISTE-trotters. Make sure to swing by and connect in person!