Justin Lascsak
940-325-6404
Intro: Justin is the Technology Director with Mineral Wells ISD located in Mineral Wells, TX. Mineral Wells ISD is a Medium (2,401-9,999 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: 2 years
Professional Background: 21 years of experience in IT with the past 11 years being in K12. Entered the IT field upon completion of an AAS degree in computer maintenance. Attended college and earned three more degrees culminating in a MBA. Enjoys learning and researching best practices and then adapting those to his environment.
During the Academy he hopes to learn the following:
- best practice scenarios while expanding his PLC and receiving input from new colleagues.
- practical applications of classroom technologies that can further shape the learning environment for the ever-changing needs of students.
- methodologies and communication skills that can assist in managing a personality-diverse technology team as well as customer base (district and campus personnel).
- strategies to improve project and budget management.
Non-Professional Activities: Hiking (especially highpointing), DIY home projects, gardening
603-279-3958
Intro: Mark is the Director of Technology with Inter-Lakes School District located in Meredith, New Hampshire. Inter-Lakes School District is a Small (under 2,500 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: less than 1 year
Professional Background: Education. Classroom teacher for 18 years. AP for 4.
Academy Goals: Learn more about what the position encompasses to better support and help students and colleagues.
Non-Professional Activities: Anything outdoors (hiking, mountain biking, paddling)
Lakisha Brinson
615-259-8456
Intro: Lakisha is the Director of Instructional Technology and Library Services with Metro Nashville Public Schools located in Nashville, TN. Metro Nashville Public Schools is a Very Large (50,000+ students) size district.
Time in Current Position: 1 year
Professional Background: Currently serves as the Director of Instructional Technology and Library Services for Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). In this role, she oversees the supports and use of instructional technology and online learning across 150 schools.
Academy Goals: By participating in this Academy, she hopes to accomplish her personal goal of growing as a leader and learner through networking, continuous professional learning, and self-reflection. As a younger leader in a large urban school district, she desires to contribute to the cohort by sharing lessons learned and successes from her district while in turn learning from others then sharing the work during the academy in her district. Additionally, by participating in this Academy she desires to learn more about how to sharpen her own skill sets in the areas identified in the framework of essential skills in the K-12 CTO Framework.
Non-Professional Activities: Reading, Bowling, Walking, Spending with family, eating
Michelle Watt
Intro: Michelle is the Chief Systems Officer with Scottsdale Unified School District located in Scottsdale, AZ. Scottsdale Unified School District is a Large (10,000-49,999 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: less than 1 year
Professional Background: Her professional background is in education, IT, and leadership. She has worked in the classroom and in IT in both K12 and higher education organizations, and has worked in both the public and private sectors.
Academy Goals: Although she brings a lot of knowledge and experience to this position, she is new to this role. She hopes to build relationships with a mentor and peers and to learn from their perspectives, environments, successes, and failures. She also looks forward to learning about new resources, or revisiting useful resources with a new perspective, and using the experience to be a better contributor in her district. Ultimately, she wants to improve how technology is used as a tool for learning, productivity, and communication in alignment with our strategic plan.
Non-Professional Activities: I love to read a variety of genres (though mostly through audiobooks), play PokemonGo, and travel; although, the last 18 months has also helped me appreciate spending time at home and connecting with the external world using technology. I also serve on the board for an education foundation to help raise funds for college scholarships.
Angie Gaylord
214-663-4477
Intro: Angie is the Deputy Chief, Transformation and Innovation with Dallas Independent School District located in Dallas, TX. Dallas Independent School District is a Very Large (50,000+ students) size district.
Time in Current Position: 3 1/2 years
Professional Background: Her professional background includes 25 years in public education with the last 10 in educational innovation and digital development. This includes leading the Instructional Technology work in two urban districts and now leading the second largest school district in Texas' innovation office redesigning schools of the future.
Academy Goals: She hopes that by participating in this cohort she can align with other "big thinkers" redesigning systems that currently slow down innovation. As COVID has showed up, she believes we have a new opportunity to re-prioritize digital learning, gaming and the future of innovation in K-12 school. She believes this work is exciting but will take all of us learning together to move this work around access and equity forward. She is a goal driven, outgoing and people centered leader hungry to rethink problems and challenges within our field.
Non-Professional Activities: Fishing, Camping, Traveling, Boating, Jet Skiing
Tiffany Norton
760-771-8577
Intro: Tiffany is the Chief Innovation and Information Officer with Desert Sands Unified School District located in La Quinta, CA. Desert Sands Unified School District is a Large (10,000-49,999 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: less than 1 year
Professional Background: Education, specifically as a Classroom teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal.
Academy Goals: Her hope for participating in the Academy is to build her PLN and learn from those individuals who are new to the position and who have successfully served in this position. She is a true believer in building a team to support the work she does and is excited to gain additional knowledge on how to manage diverse teams learning new tools/ideas/systems that will have a positive impact on student-centered and digital learning across the district. She truly wants to be the best she can be in this role and truly believes that the Early Career K-12 CTO Academy will support this goal.
Non-Professional Activities: Traveling, reading, and is attempting to become a knitter:)
Dannielle Lord
704-658-2501
Intro: Dannielle is the Director of Technology with Mooresville Graded School District located in Mooresville, North Carolina. Mooresville Graded School District is a Medium (2,401-9,999 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: 1 year
Professional Background: IT, management and leadership
Academy Goals: Become stronger on the instructional side and increase leadership capacity and ability.
Non-Professional Activities: Sports, outdoors, being with family and friends
Cedar Kraus
239-377-0437
Intro: Cedar is the Assistant Director of Technology with Collier County Public Schools located in Naples, FL. Collier County Public Schools is a Large (10,000-49,999 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: 15 years
Professional Background: IT Professional
Academy Goals: Further develop abilities to manage multiple projects simultaneously and manage diverse teams of individuals.
Non-Professional Activities: Travel, Photography
Dustin Shadbolt
765-379-2990 x308
Intro: Dustin is the Director of Technology with Rossville Consolidated School District located in Rossville, IN. Rossville Consolidated School District is a Small (under 2,500 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: 3 years
Professional Background: IT and EMS before K12.
Academy Goals: Dustin is looking to create a strong foundation that he can use to support his small district. He wants to be the best that he can be for the district and and he knows the Academy would be a great start.
Non-Professional Activities: Gaming, Programming, Hiking, Fishing, and Reading :).
Amanda Davis-Summerville
936-276-2510
Intro: Amanda is the Director of Technology and Digital Learning with Montgomery ISD located in Montgomery, TX. Montgomery ISD is a Medium (2,401-9,999 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: less than 1 year
Professional Background: Education, IT
Academy Goals: Gain an ability to lead by example for her team, making thoughtful decisions that focus on long-term goals for the needs of the organization, and networking to gain perspective
Non-Professional Activities: reading, painting, home remodels
Fiona Guina
307-332-2380
Intro: Fiona is the Technology Director with Fremont County School District #21 located in Fort Washakie, Wyoming. Fremont County School District #21 is a Small (under 2,500 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: less than 1 year
Professional Background: Fiona predominantly come from an information technology background. She's tried other fields but has always been drawn back to the IT world. She's been in the support role over the years and recently moved into a director position.
Academy Goals: I would like to experience growth and skills to be more effective in my new role. My main goal is to make a difference and create an efficient work environment for all.
Non-Professional Activities: None Listed
Teri Nash
205-870-8451
Intro: Teri is the Technology Coordinator with Homewood City Schools located in Homewood, AL. Homewood City Schools is a Medium (2,401-9,999 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: 1 year
Professional Background: Education -former English teacher turned computer applications teacher then transitioned into the role of Technology Specialist.
Academy Goals: Teri wants to strengthen her personal vision for herself and her department by developing a network of other CTO professionals. She also wants to continue to develop her leadership skills and be prepared for "tough conversations" and decisions that she has not previously had to make.
Non-Professional Activities: Fitness/weightlifting and fostering kittens 
Brendan Lovelady
205-962-1983
Intro: Brendan is the IT Systems Specialist with Vestavia Hills City Schools located in Vestavia Hills, AL. Vestavia Hills City Schools is a Medium (2,401-9,999 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: 1 year
Professional Background: Education Technology
Academy Goals: Brendan hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the CTO's role in K-12 Education. He hopes to be better equipped through this class to take on the challenge of being a Chief Technology Officer.
Non-Professional Activities: Worship Leading, pianist, camping, hiking
Gene Gilmore
334-887-1920
Intro: Gene is the Director of Information Technology with Auburn City Schools located in Auburn, AL. Auburn City Schools is a Medium (2,401-9,999 students) size district.
Time in Current Position: 1 1/2 years
Professional Background: Gene's primary professional background is in education along with healthcare (hospice)
Academy Goals: Gene would like to network with other like-minded people so that he can provide the best experience for his school system's students, staff, and stakeholders.
Non-Professional Activities: Hunting, sports, photography
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