OSPI Presents: Addressing Digital Equity Across WA State
Seattle Convention Center - 613
Join OSPI’s Educational Technology panel featuring districts participating in the digital Equity & Inclusion grants. Hear highlights from districts that received OSPI funding on how they implemented their 1:1 initiatives, and/or their adaptive and inclusive technology. Districts will share how they planned and implemented their grants as well as highlight the impacts of implementation, and how the DEI grants fostered inclusivity and equity in districts and classrooms. Panelists will also highlight best practices around equity planning as well as conversations around future planning with a focus on the power of advocating for educational technology. Panelists will highlight: • Short-term and long-term impacts of Digital Equity funding initiatives • Successes and pitfalls around these grants (Implementation, deadlines, buy-in or roadblocks, obstacles, etc.) • Best practices around reaching all students around digital equity & inclusion • Supporting staff around equity initiatives, including how to support faculty and staff on DEI initiatives • Districts will also host a show-and-tell station for Q&A and highlighting their district.
Panel
1:1, Accessibility, IT, Other
All Audiences
All levels
All Grade Levels
Presented by
Director or Educational Technology
Port Angeles School District
Technology Director
PROSSER SD DISTRICT OFFICE
Shawn Cook is a dedicated professional who has been an integral part of the Prosser School District since 2012. Serving as the Technology Director since 2016, Shawn has been a driving force behind the district's technological advancements. Shawn's passion for education is evident in her ongoing efforts to improve and integrate technology within the district, ensuring that all students and educators have access to various tools and resources to be successful in the classroom.
Director of Technology
Nooksack SD
Owen Craig is a technology leader is Nooksack, Washington, where he serves as the Director of Technology for the Nooksack Valley School District. In this role, Owen has significantly contributed to the integration of technology in education and spearheading initiatives that help prepare students for careers in tech. His personal favorite achievement is founding an Esports and Technology club at the High School that includes over 30 students, highlighting his ability to inspire and mobilize youth into technology-related endeavors.
Technology Coordinator
Naselle-Grays River Valley School District
With over 20 years of experience as a Technology Coordinator, Karl strives to help staff and students take full advantage of the tools and supports that technology provides to adapt to our ever changing world. Karl has been involved in NCCE and ISTE for years including a time on the SIGTC Board.
Digital Equity and Inclusion Program Supervisor
OSPI
KC Merchant is the Digital Equity & Inclusion Program Supervisor at OSPI, working with districts on bridging the digital divide and supporting and recommending adaptive and inclusive technologies to school districts across Washington State. By providing equitable access to over 23 million dollars in state grants towards 1:1 devices and adaptive and inclusive technologies, KC Merchant has over 20 years of experience in Education, as a certified classroom teacher, Director of Technology, and OSPI employee under the Educational Technology Department, KC has a passion towards supporting special Education, especially adaptive 3D printing, VR for accessibility and technologies that support student learning.