CoSN Honors EdTech Champions Driving Innovation in U.S. School Districts During 2023 Annual Conference

Withrow CTO of the Year Award: Susan Moore, Director of Technology, Meriden Public Schools (CT)

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The Withrow Outstanding CTO of the Year Award, named after long-time edtech leader Frank Withrow, recognizes an individual who has been a key education innovator. This year, CoSN is honoring Susan Moore, Director of Technology, Meriden Public Schools (CT). Susan has driven the district’s digital transformation, providing equity for all, promoting technology integration and ensuring improved academic results. She has expanded opportunities for students, staff and families by building digital connections. She has also spearheaded 1:1 environments where students and staff have access to educational technology and resources to be successful.

CoSN & AASA EmpowerED Digital Superintendent of the Year Award: Jim Roberts, Superintendent, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (IN)

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The EmpowerED Digital Superintendent of the Year Award, sponsored by ClassLink, honors a specific leader who has championed the use of technology to enhance learning. This year, CoSN & AASA, The School Superintendents Association, are celebrating Jim Roberts, Superintendent, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (IN). Jim has transformed Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation through innovative educational technology initiatives that have shaped the district’s culture. He has created a learning environment framed around Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Technology has been pivotal in the district’s efforts to have universally designed learning environments, and Jim has led the district in implementing these designs, including large digital interactive displays, amplified sound and flexible seating. All resources go through a rigorous adoption process where they are evaluated based on how well they support UDL. One of the most impactful changes has been communication with all stakeholders. Jim took the district from one with no social media presence and a very rudimentary alert system to a state leader in communication. The district system’s built-in, two-way translation has engaged parents in ways never done before.

Community Leadership for Digital Equity Award: Corpus Christi Independent School District (TX)

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CoSN created the Community Leadership for Digital Equity Award, sponsored by Kajeet, to encourage and recognize districts that are working to minimize the Homework Gap. Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) in Texas has prided itself on providing equitable access to students. It’s a one-to-one device district and helps support families in obtaining discounted Wi-Fi access based on need. CCISD has embraced blended learning, which fully integrates relevant technology into lessons, and utilizes learning management software to provide uniform, one-stop digital access to the learning experience so students, parents and teachers may collaborate.

District Team Leadership Award: Berkeley County School District (SC)

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The District Team Leadership Award honors a district leadership team for its transformative impact on student learning with technology. This award emphasizes CoSN’s belief that the district leadership team is crucial to the digital transformation. The 2023 award goes to the team at Berkeley County School District (SC). The Berkeley County School District Technology Team shares common goals and leverages the unique strengths of its members for success. The makeup of the team combines information technology and instructional technology leaders to increase opportunities and accessibility for student learning. This winning combination has provided students with a flexible space to engage in inquiry and creation. The shared space increases access to innovative technologies for all students in a school. Together, the team planned, designed and created Maker Spaces in schools across the district.

Hurley Private Sector Champion Award: Monica Cougan, Senior Strategic Relations Manager, ENA by Zayo

The Hurley Private Sector Champion honor, named after edtech leader Kathy Hurley, annually recognizes one person who has had an outstanding impact on the education technology community outside of the confines of his or her job. The 2023 Hurley Private Sector Champion Award is going to a leader who has tremendously helped facilitate collaborative opportunities with CoSN that advance its mission: Monica Cougan, Senior Strategic Relations Manager, ENA by Zayo.

Volunteer of the Year Award: Rod Russeau, CETL, Director of Technology and Information Services, Community High School District 99 (IL)

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes the achievements of one CoSN member who has provided exemplary support to the organization over the past year. This year’s award goes to Rod Russeau, CETL, Director of Technology and Information Services, Community High School District 99 (IL), for his commitment to education technology and being a leader within CoSN. This past year, his district earned CoSN’s Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal, and he was previously Chairperson for the CoSN Cybersecurity Initiative.

Excellence in Public Service Award: Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)

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The Excellence in Public Service Award recognizes national, state or local officials who have promoted the use of safe and secure technology as a tool to improve teaching and learning, strengthening CoSN’s nationwide advocacy efforts. This year’s winner is U.S. Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY). Congressman Garbarino has said “…[c]yberattacks are the preeminent threat of our time…” and made preventing them a significant focus of his work in Congress. Earlier last year, he wrote an op-ed for The Hill about K-12 cybersecurity and the cybersecurity workforce. He was reelected to serve in the 118th Congress and is a strong voice for K-12 cybersecurity on the Homeland Security Committee.

Seymour Papert Lifetime Achievement Award: Sheryl Abshire, CoSN Leader

This special award recognizes lifelong contributions to technology and education named in honor of Seymour Papert, considered the father education technology. The Papert Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Sheryl Abshire, CoSN’s longest serving past Member of the Board. Sheryl has been a key CoSN leader for the last 25+ years, including two terms as Chair of the Board, the long-standing chair and member of CoSN’s policy committee, active volunteer organizer of CoSN’s advocacy fundraiser, founder of CoSN’s Louisiana chapter, a thought partner on CoSN’s Early Career Academy, and a member of the Awards Committee.

2023 Partnerships That Matter Award: National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA)

The Partnerships That Matter Award honors partner organizations who work with CoSN in making a difference in transforming learning with technology. In 2023, CoSN partnered with NSPRA on groundbreaking work around social media and K-12 education institutions. The NSPRA team has been generous in supporting this joint effort and has provided critical expertise on how social media is used in school districts and the challenges associated with the lack of verification and a system for educators to report problem posts.