21-22 Academy Thought Partners

Sheryl Abshire served as CTO for Calcasieu Parish Public Schools in LA. Calcasieu Parish Public Schools is a Large size (10,000-49,999 students) district. Sheryl Abshire is currently serving as a Ed Tech Specialist and Strategist for various EdTech companies and groups. Sheryl Abshire is a veteran Thought Partner and proven CTO. She checks all the boxes for a great CTO but has a very deep understanding of Funding, Erate, and Leadership Strategies. Sheryl has served on the USAC Board, CoSN Board (2-time chair), and speaks at state, regional, and national conferences. Sheryl serves as a budgeting and ERATE content expert for the academy. Sheryl currently resides in Houstin, TX.

Eileen Belastock serves as Director of Technology and Information for Nauset Public Schools in MA. Nauset Public Schools is a Medium size (2,401-9,999 students) district. Eileen Belastock is a veteran Thought Partner. She is an experienced edtech leader with an extensive skill set and is CETL certified. Eileen does webinars, workshops and speaks on the local, state, and national level. Eileen also serves as a content expert for the academy on a variety of topics.

Keith Bockwoldt, CETL serves as the CIO at Hinsdale Township High School District 86 in IL. Hinsdale Township High School District 86 is a Medium size (2,401-9,999 students) district Keith Bockwoldt is a veteran Thought Partner and presenter. Keith has mastered all of CoSN's Essential Skills for a CTO but considers his best strengths to be his strong technical, communication and collaboration skills. Keith is currently serving on the CoSN Board as treasurer and assists with CoSN's Peer Reviews. Keith also serves as a networking systems content expert for the academy.

Idrissa Davis serves as the Executive Director of Technology Services at Saint Paul Public Schools in MN. Saint Paul Public Schools is a Large size (10,000-49,999 students) district. Idrissa Davis is a great new addition to our Thought Partner group. He excels in Strategy, Leadership Development, Budgeting, Cybersecurity, Project Management, and Building High Performing Teams. Idrissa is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) - The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) 9 Certified - ITIL 4 Foundation - ITIL Expert (Service Lifecycle Track) version 3 - Certified Support Center Director

Diane Doersch, a Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL), served as CTO at Green Bay Area Public Schools in WI. Green Bay Area Public Schools is a Large size (10,000-49,999 students) district. Diane Doersch is currently serving as a Director of Technology for Verizon Innovative Learning Schools at Digital Promise. Diane Doersch is a veteran Thought Partner and speaker. She is a content expert in Sustainability, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Attracting and Retaining a Diverse Staff, and Holding Difficult Conversations. Diane is currently serving on the CoSN Board and can be heard speaking at multiple national conferences.

Bill Fritz serves as Director of Technology for Sycamore Community Schools in OH. Sycamore Community Schools is a Medium size (2,401-9,999 students) district. Bill Fritz is also the Executive Director for Learn21. Bill Fritz is a veteran Thought Partner and Edtech Leader. He has a diversified background: 28+ years experience as Director of Technology, IT/Software development private sector experience, teaching computer science, and leading a K12 non-profit.

Rod Houpe is currently the National Director of Business Development for Education Networks of America (ENA). Rod has over 30 years of experience as an IT leader in K-12 and state government. Rod served in CIO positions at Columbus City Schools, Cleveland Public Library and most recently the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, a Large District with over 37,000 students. He has extensive experience creating the technology vision and leading the strategic IT initiatives of multiple large enterprise K-12 organizations. Rod has been an active member of CoSN and the Council of Great City Schools, presenting on best practices and serving on several peer review boards. He has been the recipient of numerous state and national awards, a featured speaker at various IT conferences, and published numerous articles on technology innovation in public education. Ron is currently serving on the CoSN Board of Directors and is an experienced addition to our Thought Partner group.

Vince Humes serves as the Director of Innovative Technology Solutions at Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit in PA. Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit is a Medium size (2,401-9,999 students) district. Vince Humes is a CETL having mastered all of CoSN's CTO Essential Skills and served on the CoSN Board. He is a veteran Thought Partner. Though Vince excels in all of the CoSN Essential Skills, he considers planning and leadership to be is greatest strengths. He also serves as a content expert for the academy in the area of long-term planning.

Frankie Jackson served as the CTO for Cypress-Fairbanks in TX. Cypress-Fairbanks is a Very Large size (50,000+ students) district. Frankie Jackson is currently serving as a CoSN Project Director and Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Texas Education Technology Leaders. Frankie Jackson is a veteran Thought Partner, presenter, and trainer. Though Frankie has mastered all of CoSN’s Essential Skills she believes her greatest strengths are in Leadership, Project Management and Team Building. Frankie is a CETL Instructor with 25+ years as a K-12 CTO. Frankie was also awarded the CoSN Withrow Award. CoSN's Withrow CTO Award recognizes an exceptional district CTO who serves as a true technology champion and whose leadership has been transformative for his/her school system.

John Lucero serves as the Deputy CIO at Worthington City Schools in OH. Worthington City Schools is a Large size (10,000-49,999 students) district. John Lucero is a veteran Thought Partner and Edtech Leader. John exhibits all of the characteristics of a great EdTech Leader but he believes his most important strengths are in Cultural Awareness, Historical Context Implementation, and Personal Leadership Development. John is an excellent contributor for practical solutions for complex problems. In addition, John serves on the Advisory Board for CoSN's Driving K-12 Innovation.

Alice Owen served as the CTO at Irving in TX. Irving is a Large size (10,000-49,999 students) district. Alice Owen is currently serving as a Executive Director for the Texas CTO Council. Alice Owen is a veteran Thought Partner and served on the CoSN board. Alice is a CETL but believes her greatest strengths are Leadership, Project management, Curriculum & Instruction, and Coaching.

Chris Smallen serves as CTO at Lenoir City Schools in TN. Lenoir City Schools is a Small size (under 2,500 students) district. Chris Smallen is a veteran Thought Partner and leader. He has a doctorate in Executive Leadership and a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction. He has been a CTO for the past 15 years and has seen about everything you can imagine in a small to medium sized school district.

Tim Smith serves as Supervisor of Instructional Practice & Technology Integration at Red Lion Area School District in PA. Red Lion Area School District is a Medium size (2,401-9,999 students) district. Tim Smith is a veteran Thought Partner. Tim is a Certified Education Technology Leader and a Google for Education certified trainer and has been asked to present to groups across the country and region, including the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo & Conference (PETE&C) and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference. Mr. Smith also serves as an adjunct professor at York College of Pennsylvania in the Education Department instructing courses in technology-enhanced pedagogies and education technology leadership. Though Tim exhibits all of the essential skills, he believes is greatest strength is Project Planning. He was a teacher and principal prior to moving into the tech director role.

Jennifer Wilson serves as Education Technology Coordinator at Lower Hudson Valley -- PNWBOCES in NY. Lower Hudson Valley -- PNWBOCES is a Medium size (2,401-9,999 students) district. Jennifer Wilson is a veteran Thought Partner. Jennifer has been a school administrator for over 20 years and is a CoSN CETL. Although Jennifer has a strong understanding of all of the essential skills, she believes her greatest strengths are learning culture and organization.

For more information about becoming a part of the CoSN Early Career K-12 CTO Academy, please reach out to Donna Williamson at the Contact information below.

Email: Donna.davis.williamson@gmail.com
Website: www.cosnacademy.com
Location: Hoover, AL, USA
Phone: 205-914-5226
Twitter: @dwmtnbrook