Westfield Teacher Named Among '20 to Watch' Ed Tech Leaders

Westfield Public Schools master technology teacher Jeanine Gottko was recently named among the National School Boards Association's (NSBA) Technology Leadership Network (TLN) “20 to Watch” Leaders Advancing Education Technology for 2012-2013.

Education leaders from across the country were recognized for their ability to "inspire colleagues to incorporate innovative technology solutions that contribute to high-quality learning environments and more efficient school district operations," according to the NSBA's press release. 

Gottko began her career in Westfield in 1998 as a Franklin Elementary School teacher. Last year, following the roll out of the district’s $1.2 million technology upgrade, Gottko applied for and was appointed to the K-5 Master technology teacher position.

“The job description written for this position was ambitious: provide staff training that turns walls into windows and establishes creative and collaborative 21st Century learning environments," said Paul Pineiro, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Programs. "While this transformation requires ongoing commitment from all stakeholders, Jeanine Gottko has done her part to get the paradigm shifting here in Westfield’s public schools. And she’s done so in award-winning fashion. We are so excited that Jeanine has received this prestigious recognition and we know she will well-represent the vision of her elementary colleagues and administrators as well as the district, Board of Education and of our community.”

As one of the district's two master technology teachers, Gottko offers assistance and ongoing education for teachers to make the most out of the district's resources. She also maintains a blog, Blue Devil 2.0 Teachnology K-5, which offers innovative teaching tools and best practice tips covering topics such as best iPad apps, social media uses in the classroom, presentation tools, cloud storage and much more.

"It is a great honor to be recognized by the National School Boards Association for the work I and the district have done this year," Gottko said. "The fact that our initiative and the work of the teachers and administrators is being recognized on a national level makes it even more worthwhile," she said. "Our Board has done a great job to support technology and continues to help provide resources for teachers."

“The '20 to Watch' honorees offer school board members and other leaders real-world stories that help them evaluate the intersection of policy and practice when it comes to today’s emerging technologies,” said Ann Flynn, NSBA’s Director of Educational Technology in a press release. “These early adopters are naturally curious about technology’s potential to help transform learning and exhibit traits that inspire and motivate their colleagues to join them on the journey. Their voices and experience will inform local, district, and state approaches to education technology decisions for years to come.”

NSBA established the “20 to Watch” program in 2006. This year’s honorees will be recognized at 2013 Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Conference on March 11 in San Diego and also at TLN-hosted luncheon at NSBA’s 2013 Annual Conference, also in San Diego, this April. TechSmith Corporation is sponsoring the “20 to Watch” celebration events and is providing software scholarships to the honorees.

"As Chairman of the Technology Committee I was so excited, yet not surprised, to hear about Jeanine being named one of the top 20 to watch," said Board of Education member Mitch Slater. "Her energy and passion and enthusiasm for her new role has been exciting to watch. Westfield is very lucky to have her on our team. She is truly 'State of the Art!'" 

Going forward, Gottko said she hopes to continue to help teachers implement new and innovative ways to enhance the curriculum through the use of technology. 

"I would love to focus further on our STEM initiative, collaborative learning, and 21st century skills," she said. "I am hoping that this award serves as an opportunity to make connections with other leaders in educational technology and to bring back the most innovative ideas to our district."

To view Gottko's blog, visit http://jeaninegottko.edublogs.org/ and to follow her on Twitter, visit https://twitter.com/JeanineGottko