Making Possibilities for Students of NE Indiana
The What:
As education continues to transform in an effort to prepare students for a 21st century economy, it is imperative that we provide students key knowledge, understanding, and success skills (21st century). In this process, it is important that students be encouraged to think critically while developing important skills allowing for creativity, communication, and innovation. It is these skills, going beyond key knowledge, that will facilitate the future demands of college and career readiness while preparing tomorrow’s graduates for the world beyond the classroom walls.
Through the generous support of the Schwab Foundation, Region 8 is facilitating a Makerspace educational program supporting current and past STEM and PBL efforts in the region. This program will have the potential to serve thousands of students and educators in over fifty of the Region 8 member school districts and beyond. Makerspaces in schools are an offshoot of the popular Makerspace movement taking place across the country. Already, Makerspaces are making a difference in schools from coast to coast, allowing students to develop skills important to college and career readiness which include, but are not limited to, deep understanding, entrepreneurship, technology, computational thinking, innovation, metacognition, and design thinking. In this grant,
A Makerspace in Education program provides students the opportunity to take ownership of their learning by studying, processing, and creating in areas of their interests. This is a natural opportunity to provide students an avenue to immerse themselves into their passion while providing experiences along an essential college and career pathway. A Makerspace can be provided during the school day or as an afterschool program. Components of a Makerspace can include robotics, coding and app development, electronics and components, computational thinking, architecture, 3D printing and modeling, artistic expression, scientific practice and theory, mathematics, and entrepreneurship.
A major portion of this grant will include in-servicing and providing professional development to educators, building a collection of resources that can be loaned to districts, providing a collaborative and informational website that will connect Makers in education across NE Indiana, building a network and partnership between business, nonprofits, government, and education to support, sustain, and grow the initiative while planning for future possibilities. The ultimate goal, as the title of the grant states, is “Making Possibilities for Students of NE Indiana"
Through the generous support of the Schwab Foundation, Region 8 is facilitating a Makerspace educational program supporting current and past STEM and PBL efforts in the region. This program will have the potential to serve thousands of students and educators in over fifty of the Region 8 member school districts and beyond. Makerspaces in schools are an offshoot of the popular Makerspace movement taking place across the country. Already, Makerspaces are making a difference in schools from coast to coast, allowing students to develop skills important to college and career readiness which include, but are not limited to, deep understanding, entrepreneurship, technology, computational thinking, innovation, metacognition, and design thinking. In this grant,
A Makerspace in Education program provides students the opportunity to take ownership of their learning by studying, processing, and creating in areas of their interests. This is a natural opportunity to provide students an avenue to immerse themselves into their passion while providing experiences along an essential college and career pathway. A Makerspace can be provided during the school day or as an afterschool program. Components of a Makerspace can include robotics, coding and app development, electronics and components, computational thinking, architecture, 3D printing and modeling, artistic expression, scientific practice and theory, mathematics, and entrepreneurship.
A major portion of this grant will include in-servicing and providing professional development to educators, building a collection of resources that can be loaned to districts, providing a collaborative and informational website that will connect Makers in education across NE Indiana, building a network and partnership between business, nonprofits, government, and education to support, sustain, and grow the initiative while planning for future possibilities. The ultimate goal, as the title of the grant states, is “Making Possibilities for Students of NE Indiana"
The Goals and Objectives
Project Goals/Objectives
The grant “Making Possibilities for Students of NE Indiana” will implement the following key goals and objectives:
Objective: Provide a catalyst to build, support, and sustain a Makerspace program for educators and students in NE Indiana. In the process, students and educators will achieve the following goals:
Goals: Students will participate in activities that facilitate:
● critical thinking and problem-solving skills
● collaboration skills
● agility and adaptability
● initiative and entrepreneurism
● effective oral and written communication
● ability to access and analyze information
● curiosity and imagination
● college and career pathway possibilities
● connections between the real world and classroom content
Objective: Create meaningful opportunities for all stakeholders (including education, nonprofits, business, industry, government) to collaborate and network on the Makerspace concept in education.
Goals: Teachers will participate in activities that facilitate:
● support of Makerspace ideas in classrooms, other school venues, and after-school
● collaboration with other educators in regards to Makerspace ideas
● in-service and PD to educate and support Makerspace
● membership in a Makerspace Resource Collaborative
Sub Goals for these opportunities include:
● collaboration between above named stakeholders on the value of Makerspaces
● Planning to support and sustain Makerspace in education.
● connecting support for PBL and STEM in NE Indiana
● presentations at various venues including conventions and to area stakeholders
● creation of a website to support initiative
● networking and connection to other Maker third parties (Science Central, IPFW, St Francis, Indiana Tech, ACPL, TEKVENTURE Fort Wayne)
The grant “Making Possibilities for Students of NE Indiana” will implement the following key goals and objectives:
Objective: Provide a catalyst to build, support, and sustain a Makerspace program for educators and students in NE Indiana. In the process, students and educators will achieve the following goals:
Goals: Students will participate in activities that facilitate:
● critical thinking and problem-solving skills
● collaboration skills
● agility and adaptability
● initiative and entrepreneurism
● effective oral and written communication
● ability to access and analyze information
● curiosity and imagination
● college and career pathway possibilities
● connections between the real world and classroom content
Objective: Create meaningful opportunities for all stakeholders (including education, nonprofits, business, industry, government) to collaborate and network on the Makerspace concept in education.
Goals: Teachers will participate in activities that facilitate:
● support of Makerspace ideas in classrooms, other school venues, and after-school
● collaboration with other educators in regards to Makerspace ideas
● in-service and PD to educate and support Makerspace
● membership in a Makerspace Resource Collaborative
Sub Goals for these opportunities include:
● collaboration between above named stakeholders on the value of Makerspaces
● Planning to support and sustain Makerspace in education.
● connecting support for PBL and STEM in NE Indiana
● presentations at various venues including conventions and to area stakeholders
● creation of a website to support initiative
● networking and connection to other Maker third parties (Science Central, IPFW, St Francis, Indiana Tech, ACPL, TEKVENTURE Fort Wayne)
The ANTICIPATED Outcomes
Outcomes are best defined by opportunities for student learning and opportunities for enhancing their college and career pathways. In the space below, note these student outcomes and also the overarching program outcomes.
Outcomes for students:
● promotion of student intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning
● facilitation of the idea of entrepreneurship through innovation
● greater connections with college and career skills and opportunities
● better understanding of STEM disciplines and area STEM industry
● ability to see connection toward the facilitation of the 4 C’s
● more engagement with significant content by allowing for connections to curriculum
● immersion in experiences that promote the idea of flow
● improvement of student literacy through writing, reflecting, and journal writing while
making in specific subject areas
● increased engagement through relevance and connections in authentic learning
● promotion of student service learning by identifying and inventing solutions to local
and world problems
● promotion of the importance and value of the arts
● increased partnerships between school, home, and community
● increased opportunities for students to be producers of content and products
● increased mentorship among students and also between community and
students
● opportunities to learn through kinesthetic activities
● increased understanding of the iterative process for problem solving
● support of inquiry by relaying the importance of good questions and continued
questioning
Overarching program outcomes include:
● greater awareness and collaboration for the Maker Movement through the building of
a network for Makers by interested stakeholders
● increased teacher awareness and ability to connect Makers ideas to the curriculum
through professional development for teachers
● a collection of loanable resources through the cooperative opportunities made
available through Region 8
● promotion of the Makers idea, STEM, and PBL that results in future funding and
sustainability
● visibility of Northeast Indiana as a leader in the advocacy of STEM, PBL, and
Makers towards the promotion of College and Career pathways
Outcomes for students:
● promotion of student intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning
● facilitation of the idea of entrepreneurship through innovation
● greater connections with college and career skills and opportunities
● better understanding of STEM disciplines and area STEM industry
● ability to see connection toward the facilitation of the 4 C’s
● more engagement with significant content by allowing for connections to curriculum
● immersion in experiences that promote the idea of flow
● improvement of student literacy through writing, reflecting, and journal writing while
making in specific subject areas
● increased engagement through relevance and connections in authentic learning
● promotion of student service learning by identifying and inventing solutions to local
and world problems
● promotion of the importance and value of the arts
● increased partnerships between school, home, and community
● increased opportunities for students to be producers of content and products
● increased mentorship among students and also between community and
students
● opportunities to learn through kinesthetic activities
● increased understanding of the iterative process for problem solving
● support of inquiry by relaying the importance of good questions and continued
questioning
Overarching program outcomes include:
● greater awareness and collaboration for the Maker Movement through the building of
a network for Makers by interested stakeholders
● increased teacher awareness and ability to connect Makers ideas to the curriculum
through professional development for teachers
● a collection of loanable resources through the cooperative opportunities made
available through Region 8
● promotion of the Makers idea, STEM, and PBL that results in future funding and
sustainability
● visibility of Northeast Indiana as a leader in the advocacy of STEM, PBL, and
Makers towards the promotion of College and Career pathways
The Population Served
Initially, the population served would include students and teachers in districts that make up the Region 8 Education Service Center area. This encompasses 15 counties in Northeast Indiana: Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Grant, Huntington, Jay, Madison, Noble, North Miami, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley. It also serves public, private and parochial schools. As the program outlined in this grant grows, other districts outside the service area and non-members could be included. At this phase, other agencies could be considered including nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Junior Achievement, and YM/YWCA’s. The program would serve all demographics and genders within the Northeast Indiana community.
THE Phases
Several phases would be important in initiating these amazing possibilities in the Making Possibilities for Students of NE Indiana Grant. These phases would be:
Introduction and Think Tank – This includes establishment of a steering committee made up of area stakeholders, Region 8, and several consultants. It would also involve the creation of a network of interested schools willing to create a Makerspace. Region 8, along with consultants, will need to find necessary resources and interested vendors. Along with this, area consultants will need to build a PD curriculum and a resource website. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education.
Implementation of Think Tank’s recommendations and work – This will include the scheduling of necessary PD, communication with schools in the network, and the providing of professional development. It would also allow for essential networking and meetings between participants and stakeholder partners. Equally important will be the gathering of artifacts in order to promote the project to area stakeholders for future sustainability. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education.
Sustainability and Promotion – This will occur during and after implementation. It will focus on the steering committee as they engage community support through industry, government and business. At this phase, evaluation will take place, a presentation will be created, and future planning for growth will be prioritized. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education
As stated above, the project has the potential to serve all students throughout Northeast Indiana in the development of a Makerspace program. The program will foster important 21st century skills (creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communications), important STEM concepts, support of fine arts, along with connections between real world and school curriculum. Through the process, students will better realize possible career pathways and community connections. Other benefits will include professional development toward transformational teaching for educators and furthering important connections between education, business, government, industry, and community organizations.
Introduction and Think Tank – This includes establishment of a steering committee made up of area stakeholders, Region 8, and several consultants. It would also involve the creation of a network of interested schools willing to create a Makerspace. Region 8, along with consultants, will need to find necessary resources and interested vendors. Along with this, area consultants will need to build a PD curriculum and a resource website. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education.
Implementation of Think Tank’s recommendations and work – This will include the scheduling of necessary PD, communication with schools in the network, and the providing of professional development. It would also allow for essential networking and meetings between participants and stakeholder partners. Equally important will be the gathering of artifacts in order to promote the project to area stakeholders for future sustainability. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education.
Sustainability and Promotion – This will occur during and after implementation. It will focus on the steering committee as they engage community support through industry, government and business. At this phase, evaluation will take place, a presentation will be created, and future planning for growth will be prioritized. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education
As stated above, the project has the potential to serve all students throughout Northeast Indiana in the development of a Makerspace program. The program will foster important 21st century skills (creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communications), important STEM concepts, support of fine arts, along with connections between real world and school curriculum. Through the process, students will better realize possible career pathways and community connections. Other benefits will include professional development toward transformational teaching for educators and furthering important connections between education, business, government, industry, and community organizations.
The Strategies
:
● Building a community consortium: This will include education, business, government, industry, and community organizations through the networking abilities of Region 8 (Northeast Indiana). This network will be a resource and catalyst to build out a Maker’s Education Program that is committed to supporting 21st century skills, important curricular concepts, PBL, and STEM (STEAM efforts) in Northeast Indiana.
● Professional Development: This strategy will provide opportunities for professional development for educators to learn how to build and sustain a Makerspace in their school. This will be accomplished through the resources and networking ability of Region 8. It will also include presentations at conferences both inside and outside of the region. Additionally, there will be opportunities to open up professional development to other community organization serving students before and after school.
● Communication: A web page will be built to support Maker’s ideas for schools and community organizations. The site will provide a wealth of resources, tools, professional development, and will have networking and event posting capabilities.
● Resource collection: This will include the building of a resource collection that can be loaned out to schools to provide a start for a building or classroom. It will also allow for the creation of a vendor consortium that can be used to support schools at discount prices as vendors are able to build markets. This will be housed at Region 8 and will provide a mutual benefit for education and vendors.
● Support and Idea Incubation - This strategy will provide support to Region 8 and participating consultants. It will allow for the purchase of texts and manuals to support a Maker’s program, and will also include a travel budget for attending conferences and events.
● Committee and Consultant(s) - This strategy allows for the building of a committee and the payment of consultant(s) to advance, promote, and support the grant.
These Strategies will be made possible by:
● Building a community consortium: This will include education, business, government, industry, and community organizations through the networking abilities of Region 8 (Northeast Indiana). This network will be a resource and catalyst to build out a Maker’s Education Program that is committed to supporting 21st century skills, important curricular concepts, PBL, and STEM (STEAM efforts) in Northeast Indiana.
● Professional Development: This strategy will provide opportunities for professional development for educators to learn how to build and sustain a Makerspace in their school. This will be accomplished through the resources and networking ability of Region 8. It will also include presentations at conferences both inside and outside of the region. Additionally, there will be opportunities to open up professional development to other community organization serving students before and after school.
● Communication: A web page will be built to support Maker’s ideas for schools and community organizations. The site will provide a wealth of resources, tools, professional development, and will have networking and event posting capabilities.
● Resource collection: This will include the building of a resource collection that can be loaned out to schools to provide a start for a building or classroom. It will also allow for the creation of a vendor consortium that can be used to support schools at discount prices as vendors are able to build markets. This will be housed at Region 8 and will provide a mutual benefit for education and vendors.
● Support and Idea Incubation - This strategy will provide support to Region 8 and participating consultants. It will allow for the purchase of texts and manuals to support a Maker’s program, and will also include a travel budget for attending conferences and events.
● Committee and Consultant(s) - This strategy allows for the building of a committee and the payment of consultant(s) to advance, promote, and support the grant.
These Strategies will be made possible by:
- Making Possibilities for Students of NE Indiana Committee Meetings (face to face and virtual…monthly)
- Professional Development at Region 8
- Professional development off site from Region 8
- Creation of a PD program by Region 8 and consultants
- Networking meetings with area stakeholders by consultants and Region 8
- Conference attendance and presentations
- Meetings and consultations with interested vendors
- Building and creation of resources, tools, and text-based library
- Building of a website for support, networking, public relations, and resource connections
- Creation and management of appropriate social media site (Twitter)
- Creation of a presentation to be shared to portray grant achievements
- Planning meetings including any consultants and Region 8
- Creation of a resource loan system
- Promotion of a larger committee including stakeholders from all areas
The Timeline
The timeline for the grant (Making Possibilities for Students of NE Indiana) would begin upon project approval and would encompass the phases described in the Project Description section above as follows:
(Months 1 – 5) Introduction and Think Tank – This includes establishment of a steering committee made up of area stakeholders, Region 8, and several consultants. It would also involve the creation of network of interested schools willing to create a Makerspace. Region 8, along with consultants, will work to find needed resources and interested vendors. Along with this, area consultants will need to build a PD curriculum, and a resource website. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education.
(Months 6- 17) Implementation of Think Tank’s recommendations and work – This will include the scheduling of necessary PD, communication with schools in the network, and the implementation of professional development. It will also allow for essential networking and meetings between participants and stakeholder partners. Equally important will be the gathering of artifacts in order to promote the project to area stakeholders for future sustainability. As part of this, a shareable resource area will be created at Region 8. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education. This phase will also include phase 1 and will culminate at phase 3.
(Months 12 – 24 and beyond) Sustainability and Promotion – This will occur during and after implementation. It will focus on the steering committee as they engage community support through industry, government, and business. At this phase, evaluation will take place, a presentation will be created, and future planning for growth will be a priority. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education. This phase will also include phases 1 and 2.
(Months 1 – 5) Introduction and Think Tank – This includes establishment of a steering committee made up of area stakeholders, Region 8, and several consultants. It would also involve the creation of network of interested schools willing to create a Makerspace. Region 8, along with consultants, will work to find needed resources and interested vendors. Along with this, area consultants will need to build a PD curriculum, and a resource website. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education.
(Months 6- 17) Implementation of Think Tank’s recommendations and work – This will include the scheduling of necessary PD, communication with schools in the network, and the implementation of professional development. It will also allow for essential networking and meetings between participants and stakeholder partners. Equally important will be the gathering of artifacts in order to promote the project to area stakeholders for future sustainability. As part of this, a shareable resource area will be created at Region 8. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education. This phase will also include phase 1 and will culminate at phase 3.
(Months 12 – 24 and beyond) Sustainability and Promotion – This will occur during and after implementation. It will focus on the steering committee as they engage community support through industry, government, and business. At this phase, evaluation will take place, a presentation will be created, and future planning for growth will be a priority. This phase may also involve visits to existing Maker Sites and tradeshows, aligning other interested area stakeholders outside of education. This phase will also include phases 1 and 2.
The Who
Josh Wenning - Executive Director of Region 8
Project Administrator - providing Region 8 Level support including fiscal and organizational structure and communication of project to area Region 8 members
Experience - Josh Wenning is the Executive Director of the Region 8 Education Service Center and Indiana ASCD. With nearly 19 years of experience in K-12 education as a teacher, coach, and building/district/regional administrator he has developed diverse networks of professional peers and skills needed to lead and implement grants of this nature. Previous grant experience includes acting as the Program Administrator for Project Gear Up! (State-wide Gates Foundation grant to help implement the new college and career readiness standards from 2012-2014), and as the fiscal agent for the College and Career Attribute Development Program (regional initiative to create more college and career ready high school students through best practice funded by the Schwab Foundation in 2015). Josh has made presentations on various topics related to educational leadership at conferences such as the Global Education Forum in Anshan, China (October, 2015) and the Best Practices Workshop at the University of Saint Francis (March, 2015). Currently, Josh is in the dissertation phase of his Ph.D. in Global Leadership from Indiana Tech. with a focus on how international school principals impact student learning having previously earned Masters degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University in Curriculum Design and Instruction as well as from Michigan State in K-12 Educational Administration.
James Kowalski - District Technology Coordinator at Southwest Allen County Schools
Project Consultant - providing education expertise and perspective including district contacts, professional development, and program writing.
Experience - Jim Kowalski is the District Technology Coordinator for Southwest Allen County Schools. Prior to that position, he taught technology, project based learning, and language arts. Jim has presented at several conferences including HECC in Indianapolis. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from IPFW and is currently pursuing a PhD through Indiana State University.
Michael Gorman - CEO of 21centuryedtech,LLC
Project Consultant - providing overall project support including administrative functions, research, program writing, meeting chair, professional development, website and social media administration, and report presentations.
Experience - Michael Gorman, is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. He was one of the initiators of a one to one laptop program and digital professional development for Southwest Allen County Schools. He is a consultant for Discovery Education, ISTE, PBS Learning Media, and November Learning. He is also on the National Faculty for BIE (BUCK Institute) and an Advisor for Tech & Learning Magazine.
Mike’s awards include SACS district Teacher of the Year and Indiana Teacher of the Year semi-finalist. He has also been awarded Indiana STEM Educator of the Year, Advocate for Johns Hopkins University. and was recently awarded the honor of being one of Microsoft’s 365 Global Education Heroes. Mike has presented and provided professional development from coast to coast. He led an Indiana delegation on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, presented (with students) at the Indiana State Rotunda Day for technology, and participated in efforts to initiate a PBL organization for middle schools in Indiana. He was recently included in the book “Who Owns The Learning” authored by Alan November. Mike maintains his award winning 21centuryedtech blog and also posts articles at Tech and Learning Magazine and November Learning. He is the current past president for SIGOL (ISTE) and past communication chair for ICE in Indiana. Most of all, Mike is an advocate for teachers and students, concentrating his efforts on transforming education and bringing 21st century skills to every classroom.
Chris Riley - Independent Consultant
Project Consultant - provide organizational structure, curriculum writing, and professional development.
Experience - Chris Riley graduated from Indiana University with a BS and MS in Education, with a Reading Specialist endorsement. She has served as a classroom instructor and the Literacy Coordinator K-12 for Southwest Allen County Schools. She initiated and provided varied and on-going professional development opportunities to bring balanced literacy to the district K-8. She also assisted with initiating RtI and its implementation K-5 in the district. In addition, she provided literacy professional development and coaching for content area teachers . Past and current experiences include developing and writing district literacy curriculum and professional development in implementation of state standards. She worked to provide professional development to the district in the use of 1:1 laptops and Project Based Learning K-12. WIth Mike Gorman, she developed district in-service days for all secondary teachers. She currently serves as a SACS district consultant. In addition, Chris serves on the Executive Board of the Northeast Literacy Council and the Indiana State Reading Association. Both boards provide a variety of professional learning opportunities for teachers, and Chris has presented for both organizations. Chris has taught a variety of graduate level courses for Valparaiso University for teachers pre-K-12, and recently created, designed, and co-wrote the on-line secondary MAT for the University of St. Francis. She also designed and wrote placement tests for two initial courses. She currently teaches those courses and supervises student teachers for the university. Her awards include Southwest Allen County Teacher of the Year, and a scholarship to partner with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to bring Creating Original Opera with Children into the classroom. Currently the Embassy Theater hosts a summer camp (SCORE) that she helped initiate and served as an instructor for middle schoolers based on that project. Chris’ passion is bringing authentic learning experiences into the classroom that facilitate 21st century skills and hands-on, student empowering education.
Laura Smith - Independent Consultant
Laura is Independent Consultant providing project support, research, professional development. Laura has a varied background and has been focused on STEM throughout her career. She graduated from The Ohio State University, College of Engineering with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Laura worked in both the private and public sectors as a landscape architect and a designer and project manager. Additionally she owned a small landscape design and maintenance company. Laura went back to school to earn a teaching certificate and to complete a degree in Earth Space Science. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Indiana University. Laura taught science at Woodside Middle school where she was a Team Leader, Student Council Advisor, and Cross Country Coach. She served on district-wide committees including 1:1 technology, Portrait of a Graduate, Diversity, and eLearning. Laura designed the school’s Outdoor Classroom and was an Outdoor Adventure Leader. She was awarded Woodside’s Teacher of the Year. Laura has presented and provided professional development for her district of Southwest Allen County schools on topics such as Google Docs, Teachers on Social Media, Technology Integration, My Big Campus, and eLearning. She has also provided professional development to other districts including Technology Integration and Teaching Gifted and Talented Students. Laura led over 350 students in the STEM-focused competition Future City. Her students won the regional competition and represented Indiana at the national competition in Washington D.C. three years in a row. She also presented (with students) at the Indiana State Rotunda Day for technology. Laura continues to pursue opportunities to learn and is excited for the prospect to continue to share her passion for STEM and education
Amy Leeson - Program Director
Providing Region 8 Level support including district program structure and communication of project to area Amy is currently the members Program Director Region 8 ESC. She has served in this position since 2010. Prior to this Amy was the Curriculum Director at Northern Wells Schools for almost 23 years\
Project Administrator - providing Region 8 Level support including fiscal and organizational structure and communication of project to area Region 8 members
Experience - Josh Wenning is the Executive Director of the Region 8 Education Service Center and Indiana ASCD. With nearly 19 years of experience in K-12 education as a teacher, coach, and building/district/regional administrator he has developed diverse networks of professional peers and skills needed to lead and implement grants of this nature. Previous grant experience includes acting as the Program Administrator for Project Gear Up! (State-wide Gates Foundation grant to help implement the new college and career readiness standards from 2012-2014), and as the fiscal agent for the College and Career Attribute Development Program (regional initiative to create more college and career ready high school students through best practice funded by the Schwab Foundation in 2015). Josh has made presentations on various topics related to educational leadership at conferences such as the Global Education Forum in Anshan, China (October, 2015) and the Best Practices Workshop at the University of Saint Francis (March, 2015). Currently, Josh is in the dissertation phase of his Ph.D. in Global Leadership from Indiana Tech. with a focus on how international school principals impact student learning having previously earned Masters degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University in Curriculum Design and Instruction as well as from Michigan State in K-12 Educational Administration.
James Kowalski - District Technology Coordinator at Southwest Allen County Schools
Project Consultant - providing education expertise and perspective including district contacts, professional development, and program writing.
Experience - Jim Kowalski is the District Technology Coordinator for Southwest Allen County Schools. Prior to that position, he taught technology, project based learning, and language arts. Jim has presented at several conferences including HECC in Indianapolis. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from IPFW and is currently pursuing a PhD through Indiana State University.
Michael Gorman - CEO of 21centuryedtech,LLC
Project Consultant - providing overall project support including administrative functions, research, program writing, meeting chair, professional development, website and social media administration, and report presentations.
Experience - Michael Gorman, is a graduate of Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University. He has partnered with ISTE and various educational, governmental, and business organizations and foundations. He was one of the initiators of a one to one laptop program and digital professional development for Southwest Allen County Schools. He is a consultant for Discovery Education, ISTE, PBS Learning Media, and November Learning. He is also on the National Faculty for BIE (BUCK Institute) and an Advisor for Tech & Learning Magazine.
Mike’s awards include SACS district Teacher of the Year and Indiana Teacher of the Year semi-finalist. He has also been awarded Indiana STEM Educator of the Year, Advocate for Johns Hopkins University. and was recently awarded the honor of being one of Microsoft’s 365 Global Education Heroes. Mike has presented and provided professional development from coast to coast. He led an Indiana delegation on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, presented (with students) at the Indiana State Rotunda Day for technology, and participated in efforts to initiate a PBL organization for middle schools in Indiana. He was recently included in the book “Who Owns The Learning” authored by Alan November. Mike maintains his award winning 21centuryedtech blog and also posts articles at Tech and Learning Magazine and November Learning. He is the current past president for SIGOL (ISTE) and past communication chair for ICE in Indiana. Most of all, Mike is an advocate for teachers and students, concentrating his efforts on transforming education and bringing 21st century skills to every classroom.
Chris Riley - Independent Consultant
Project Consultant - provide organizational structure, curriculum writing, and professional development.
Experience - Chris Riley graduated from Indiana University with a BS and MS in Education, with a Reading Specialist endorsement. She has served as a classroom instructor and the Literacy Coordinator K-12 for Southwest Allen County Schools. She initiated and provided varied and on-going professional development opportunities to bring balanced literacy to the district K-8. She also assisted with initiating RtI and its implementation K-5 in the district. In addition, she provided literacy professional development and coaching for content area teachers . Past and current experiences include developing and writing district literacy curriculum and professional development in implementation of state standards. She worked to provide professional development to the district in the use of 1:1 laptops and Project Based Learning K-12. WIth Mike Gorman, she developed district in-service days for all secondary teachers. She currently serves as a SACS district consultant. In addition, Chris serves on the Executive Board of the Northeast Literacy Council and the Indiana State Reading Association. Both boards provide a variety of professional learning opportunities for teachers, and Chris has presented for both organizations. Chris has taught a variety of graduate level courses for Valparaiso University for teachers pre-K-12, and recently created, designed, and co-wrote the on-line secondary MAT for the University of St. Francis. She also designed and wrote placement tests for two initial courses. She currently teaches those courses and supervises student teachers for the university. Her awards include Southwest Allen County Teacher of the Year, and a scholarship to partner with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to bring Creating Original Opera with Children into the classroom. Currently the Embassy Theater hosts a summer camp (SCORE) that she helped initiate and served as an instructor for middle schoolers based on that project. Chris’ passion is bringing authentic learning experiences into the classroom that facilitate 21st century skills and hands-on, student empowering education.
Laura Smith - Independent Consultant
Laura is Independent Consultant providing project support, research, professional development. Laura has a varied background and has been focused on STEM throughout her career. She graduated from The Ohio State University, College of Engineering with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Laura worked in both the private and public sectors as a landscape architect and a designer and project manager. Additionally she owned a small landscape design and maintenance company. Laura went back to school to earn a teaching certificate and to complete a degree in Earth Space Science. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Indiana University. Laura taught science at Woodside Middle school where she was a Team Leader, Student Council Advisor, and Cross Country Coach. She served on district-wide committees including 1:1 technology, Portrait of a Graduate, Diversity, and eLearning. Laura designed the school’s Outdoor Classroom and was an Outdoor Adventure Leader. She was awarded Woodside’s Teacher of the Year. Laura has presented and provided professional development for her district of Southwest Allen County schools on topics such as Google Docs, Teachers on Social Media, Technology Integration, My Big Campus, and eLearning. She has also provided professional development to other districts including Technology Integration and Teaching Gifted and Talented Students. Laura led over 350 students in the STEM-focused competition Future City. Her students won the regional competition and represented Indiana at the national competition in Washington D.C. three years in a row. She also presented (with students) at the Indiana State Rotunda Day for technology. Laura continues to pursue opportunities to learn and is excited for the prospect to continue to share her passion for STEM and education
Amy Leeson - Program Director
Providing Region 8 Level support including district program structure and communication of project to area Amy is currently the members Program Director Region 8 ESC. She has served in this position since 2010. Prior to this Amy was the Curriculum Director at Northern Wells Schools for almost 23 years\
The Partnerships and Collaboration
Agencies at grant start:
- Region 8
- Region 8 School Districts
- Schwab Founda