From classroom teachers to network administrators and the CEO of one of the nation’s most innovative content organizations, individuals are exciting and inspiring their colleagues about the potential that technology holds to transform the learning environment. NSBA’s Technology Leadership Network (TLN)  has just released its 2009 list of “20 to Watch” educators.

Started in 2006 as part of NSBA’s T+L Conference’s 20th anniversary celebration, this annual recognition program accepts nominations of educators whose peers believe they are the emerging leaders that can help shape the local and national dialogue about technology’s role in the learning, operations, and communication strategies. Each of this year’s “20” was nominated for his/her unique accomplishments, yet as a group, they provide an even more impressive snapshot of the progress that is being made every day in our schools to ensure technology-infused solutions – in the hands of talented, passionate educators – can bridge the promise of technology’s potential to the reality of results.

Get acquainted with this year’s “20” , and plan to join them during NSBA’s T+L Conference in Denver where they will be formally honored at the October 29th General Session.

Evan Allred, Dysart Unified School District, Director of Information Technology – Surprise, AZ

Anne Smith, Arapahoe High School, Littleton Public Schools, Language Arts Teacher – Centennial, CO

Chris Moore, East Elementary School, Littleton Public Schools 5th grade Teacher – Littleton, CO

Dr. Barbara Kurshan, Curriki Executive Director – Washington, DC

Robert Miller, Port Orange Elementary, Volusia County Schools, 4th & 5th grade Teacher – Port Orange, FL

Elisabeth D. Babin, Dowdell Middle Magnet School, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Teacher – Tampa, FL

Kevin M. McGuire, Michigan City Area Schools, Director of Technology – Michigan City, IN

Dyane Smokorowski, Andover Middle School, Andover Public Schools, 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher/Instructional Tech – Andover, KS

Vaudene  Field, Geary County USD 475 Instructional Technologist – Junction City, KS

Lisa Johnson, Jefferson County Public School District, Technology Resource Teacher – Louisville, KY

Joseph Orlak, Pascack Valley Regional High School District, Supervisor of Social Studies – Hillsdale, NJ

William L. Bean, Newark High School, Newark Central School District – Biology Teacher, Newark, NY

Andrea Page, Cosgrove Middle School, Spencerport Central School, 6th grade Teacher – Spencerport, NY

William Fritz, Sycamore Community Schools, Director of Technology – Cincinnati, OH

Michael Baker Jr., South Side Area School District, Online Learning Coordinator/ CFF Coach/ Tech. Teac – Hookstown, PA

Mary Beth Clifton, West Chester Area School District, Instructional Technology Coordinator – West Chester, PA

Brian Seaman, Western Wayne School District, Network Administrator – South Canaan, PA

Teryl Magee, Knox County Schools, Co-Teaching Coach – Knoxville, TN

Jaime Arizaleta, Garland ISD, Facilitator for Online Education – Garland, TX

Brian Nichols, Newport News Public Schools, Principal – Newport News, VA

I am What I Learn Contest – Open to students 13 years or older – Create a video about why education is important to fulfilling your dreams and the steps you will take to make your dream a reality.  The Department of Education is looking for creative and inspiring videos up to 2 minutes long answering the age old question: Why is your education important to your future?

On November 9th the judges will pick 10 finalists, the public will vote for their 3 favorites and the winners will be announced the week of December 1st.  The best part of this contest – 3 winners will each be awarded $1,000!  Deadline for entries is November 2, 2009 so encourage your students to get their video cameras out and start filming!

Educators planning to attend NSBA’s T+L Conference in Denver have the opportunity to book a visit to the same district that President Obama included in one of his campaign stops last fall.   The Mapleton Public Schools and their innovative small school initiatives offer an interesting alternative to past T+L conference site visits.  No doubt that technology is essential to their programs, but it serves in a supporting role to the real star of the show, improved student achievement. If you’re not familiar with Mapleton’s Reinvention Campaign, check out this Business Week story from 2006 or listen to the district’s teachers and administrators tell you why they embarked on this journey to change the educational experience for their students. If you care about kids, you owe it to yourself to visit a district that has actually put ideas into practice that are often just the subject of conceptual debates. Whether or not you agree with all of their decisions is irrelevant.  What is important, however, is how their work can inspire you to think differently about the educational alternatives your own district is providing.Mapleton – Building on Choice

The last of the blue conference bags have left the Seattle convention center, the busy chatter between workshop sessions has ended, and the long escalator rides mimicking the climb of a rollercoaster are in the past but the message, the inspiration, the connections, and the excitement remain. Paul Saffo opened the first general session by igniting a forest fire of excitement throughout the attendees. As it can best be summed up in the words of a woman I passed on the escalator, “it was just mind blowing. I mean, just amazing!” After starting T+L out with such a visionary and inspirational message it isn’t any wonder that the buzz and excitement grew exponentially for the next two days!

Presenter’s came from across the country from local Seattle to Canada, and with attendees from Australia to India and the majority from the US…. the flattening world of education technology continues to dissolve into one common mission, using technology to enhance learning environments for children. Key notes, featured speakers, and education leaders used white boards, Second Life, Moodle, Twitter, ipods, and one-to-one devices to bring their messages to life. NSBA’s very own Senior Staff Attorney, Tom Hutton, addressed common legal issues and tough uncharted questions of education and the technology that continues to transform the boundaries of the classroom. Leading school districts from around the country presented on web-based collaboration, open source, increasing student achievement, the new definition of 21st Century learning environments, their own pilot programs that have impacted their school districts, partnering with their communities and the importance of PR, professional development, assistive technology, writing and getting grants, and the list goes on and on.

The excitement, buzz, and collaboration that was occurring during sessions, between sessions, over lunches and dinners and at networking events was immeasurable. The experience is noteworthy and we can’t wait for 2009! Denver here we come!

Be sure to log in to two online discussions that will take place during the T+L Conference. These hot topic discussions are sure to get tongues wagging (or fingers typing, at least), so don’t forget to tune in!

It’s not all fun and games!
How schools can harness educational games for learning
It’s no secret that kids love video games. And even an recent article in the New York Times has highlighted the advantages that some games can present. But how can your school district find the best way to use these games? Log in and learn from expert Julie Evans, CEO of Project Tomorrow, the educational benefits of using gaming in the classroom. Submit your questions now for this online discussion which will take place during NSBA’s T+L Conference, October 28, 1:00 p.m. PT.

Yours, Mine, and Ours
Ways school districts can make it work with students’ personal technology devices
With all the talk of one-to-one computing, school districts are working hard to find ways to put technology in every student’s hands. Why not let students use their own devices – laptops, ipods, voice recorders – in school to enhance their learning? Kathy Rains, Director of Technology, in the Madison (AL) City Schools will discuss the ups and downs, the challenges and opportunities, of these options and how school districts can make it work. Leave a question for Kathy or tune in live on Wednesday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m. PT.

And don’t forget, we’ll be on the west coast, so be sure to tune in during Pacific Time. We hope to see you (and your questions) there!