Expect the Unexpected: How to Prepare for and Embrace Change in Your District
Change is inevitable, and many educators are resistant to change. However, it is important to shift the narrative from resistance to response. Often, this requires being proactive through aligning technology and teaching goals to empower staff and students to embrace change in the classroom.
In this session we will discuss:
- How to shift the narrative from “resistance” to “response”
- Best practices and change management processes with examples to help teachers and students embrace change
- Tips to encourage collaboration between IT and Academic departments during the implementation of change
- Strategies to reduce educator fatigue and burnout
Presenters
Dr. Kathleen Grigsby is the Elementary Assistant Superintendent for Jackson County Public School District. As a former teacher, coach and principal, she has over twenty years of experience in education. In her current role as assistant superintendent, she leads fifteen schools with a clear focus on student achievement. Throughout the course of her career, she has transformed school communities to increase overall student support and drive student success. Dr. Grigsby’s academic credentials include a doctorate and specialist from Mississippi College in Educational Leadership, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Her personal philosophy of education and teaching, her community involvement, along with her contributions and accomplishments have changed the lives of many students and educators.
My name is Evan OBranovic and I am the Director of Technology for Traverse City Area Public Schools in Traverse City, MI. I'm currently in my 4th year with TCAPS prior to which I was a classroom teacher and Technology Integration Specialist in Aspen, Colorado for 11 years. I promote the integration and use of technology in education in order to successfully help teachers and students meet their academic needs. I supported the evolution and adaptation of how curriculum was delivered remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic including the vetting and implementation of D2L: Brightspace as our feature LMS.
Dr. Brittany Singleton is the Academic Affairs Manager at D2L. In this role she provides strategic leadership, guidance and support for the development of innovative programs in the teaching and learning realm in both the K-12 and Higher Ed verticals. Dr. Singleton is an effective and resourceful education professional with over 14 years of experience in holistic student development, instruction, mentorship, and programming for diverse student populations. She also has extensive leadership skills evidenced by complex critical reasoning, collaborative strategic planning, and effective community engagement. Dr. Singleton also has a plethora of experience in curriculum planning, education administration, inclusive teaching, clinical supervision, conflict resolution, presentation facilitation, and higher education. She has served in several roles in the realm of online learning while working within graduate teacher education programs that focus on teacher preparation. She also has done extensive research on the implementation of effective instructional strategies to increase student achievement, and teacher preparation in teaching diverse student populations. Dr. Singleton received her degree in English from Tougaloo College and her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration Pre K-12 from Tennessee State University. Dr. Singleton also holds a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.