Newsworthy
Stay up to date with the latest Technology & Innovation news.
Awards & Honors |
Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Recognition
Classroom of the Future: Honorable Mention Innovate Award
The Technology and Innovation department was presented with the Honorable Mention Innovate Award at the 20th Annual Classroom of the Future Foundation (CFF) Innovation in Education Awards ceremony. The award recognized the innovative support for PUSD teachers and students in the Voyager (grades TK-5) and ElevatED (grades 6-12) Programs. The Innovate Award showcases the creative innovations of the programs that facilitate enhanced teaching and learning. This award specifically focuses on the “uniqueness of the program actions that promote teacher innovation, increase student engagement, and drive performance.” This definition aligns closely with the goals of the Voyager and ElevatED programs.
Ken Wall, Top Tech Award Winner
California Pivotal Practice Award Winner
Edu Jedi Innovator Award
PUSD was officially recognized for the Edu Jedi Innovator Award 2021 by the Learning Counsel at the 9th Annual Edu Jedi Leadership Society virtual event. The District received this award for leadership and learning achievements during 2021. The work was showcased during the Learning Counsel’s virtual event where Dr. Phelps, Dr. Burks and Ed Tech Director, Lana Nguyen presented on “How PUSD Pushed Innovation Despite a Pandemic” this past September. The Learning Counsel recognized Poway Unified for our ongoing Ed Tech initiatives, distinguished schools, and the “Try Everything” music video, which highlights our personalized interests in supporting real world applications for all students. The Learning Counsel stated, “This kind of leadership is what other Districts should be doing.” A follow up press release is planned.
Pomerado Classroom of the Future Award
APSM (Association of Poway School Managers) Service Award Recipient
The Educational Technology Team was honored for their dedication to teaching and learning with technology. Over the past three years, the Educational Technology Team has launched multiple innovative initiatives, including the Voyager Program, Tech Cafes, and the Education Technology Webpage. The team offers learning opportunities Districtwide and has transformed educational technology. In March 2020, the team was abruptly tasked with switching gears to provide distance learning, coaching, and assistance. They quickly created a Virtual Teaching Website, video tutorials, professional development sessions, and quick guides. Coaches hosted online office hours to offer individualized support to teachers who needed one-to-one assistance. The team adapted seamlessly to their new role as distance learning coaches and has proved invaluable to teaching and learning both virtually and face to face. Watch the APSM virtual celebration highlighting service award recipients at the link.
Dr. Jennifer Burks, California Technology Administrator of the Year
Upon her arrival to Poway Unified in 2017, Dr. Burks created the District's new educational technology department from scratch. As the first-ever Associate Superintendent of Technology and Innovation for Poway Unified, she oversees both the Information and Education branches of technology. Her vision for creating future ready classroom learning environments has come to life in pioneer initiatives like the Voyager Program, Digital Citizenship Program, i-Ready, and the first Launch Lab at Pomerado Elementary School. “The fact that she accomplished so much in such a short period of time speaks to her incredible work ethic and commitment to professional growth,” Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps said. “Jennifer’s dedication to creating inclusive, innovative learning environments for all students is just one of the many reasons why she is deserving of this award.” Dr. Burks, in addition to the other 2020 recipients, was featured in EdCal Magazine and honored at the Leadership Summit Statewide Awards Ceremony in San Diego.
District of Distinction
FETC Award Video
PUSD was selected in the category of educational technology for its Districtwide Voyager Program. Launched in the 2017-2018 school year, the Program combines rigorous in-class professional development training for teachers, with revolutionary techniques for students to learn and engage with technology.
“We developed a system of support for teachers to learn how to integrate and use the latest technology in the classroom. Ed tech allows our students to connect with the world and engage with ideas that help them ask more organic questions,” Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps said.
The Voyager Program focuses on blended learning practices in the classroom to increase engagement and interest. Teachers who participate in Voyager learn best Ed Tech practices from District technology and innovation coaches, and begin to integrate these concepts into their lessons. This way, students can decide how and what they learn.
“We eliminated the top-down model where District leaders tell teachers what to do, so educators are encouraged to share ideas that they’re excited about,” Superintendent Phelps said. “Teachers feel more supported this way, and when you feel supported, you’re more inclined to try an untested, innovative approach.” Read more about PUSD’s Voyager Program at the link.
At the 2021 Future of Educational Technology Conference, Poway Unified was recognized as the District of Distinction winner in the Professional Development category for its excellence in innovation in K-12 education.
Accepted Into National Network of Innovative School Districts
“As Superintendent of Poway Unified School District, I am committed to ensuring that we are creating culture and conditions to support world-class learners. Partnering with the League of Innovative Schools will allow us to innovate through people-driven networks to promote positive changes in education and ensure that all children have access to an equitable and high-quality learning experience,” Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps said. “As a member, Poway Unified will bring research-based, cutting-edge initiatives, which drive innovative and unique learning opportunities for students to ultimately maximize each student’s potential for greatness. I believe in learning forward through a cycle of continuous improvement, and I am excited for the opportunity to learn from and with a network of forward-thinking leaders in education.”
Presentations & Publications |
SDCOE Learning and Innovation Summit Presentation Fall 2024
ASU+GSV AIR Show Conference 2024
Technology and Innovation Department’s Innovative Professional Learning Model Featured
San Diego Computer Using Educators (CUE) Powered Learning Fair 2022
League of Innovative Schools 2022
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2022
The Technology and Innovation team successfully presented four sessions at the 2022 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference in New Orleans during the last week of June. The team had the opportunity to speak on the following topics: collaborative protocols for equitable learning, reimagining professional learning models, best practices of virtual learning, and designing and implementing professional learning that is needs-based to build teacher capacity. Multiple participants enthusiastically thanked the team in-person and/or tweeted their appreciation for the information presented at the various sessions. ISTE had a plethora of sessions that included: implementation of augmented reality/virtual reality, digital literacy, computational thinking, etc. The Technology and Innovation team plans on sharing new topics, vendor resources, and additional information with the rest of the department.
Computer Using Educators (CUE) Conference 2022
Innovation Coaches Amy Fousek, Brenda Gillies, and Lauren Swissman presented two sessions at the CUE Conference on March 19 in Palm Springs. This annual event is an opportunity for coaches to learn from peers and experts on topics ranging from STEAM, diversity, equity and inclusion, thoughtful EdTech classroom integration and more. The first session, “Bulletin Boards 2.0,” focused on interactive learning walls and highlighted many of PUSD’s exemplary projects surrounding this topic. Participants engaged in an interactive wall protocol known as Vertical Learning. The second session, “What Did You Say?,” shared research based strategies and tools to improve student listening comprehension through technology.
California IT in Education (CITE) Conference 2021
InstructureCon 2021
Computer Using Educators (CUE) Conference 2021
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference 2020
San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Learning & Innovation Summit 2020
Grants |
Innovative Teaching and Learning Grant
Pomerado Elementary Receives OtterCares Inspiration Grant