Lipstick on a Pig

If you put lipstick on a pig - does it get noticed more?

I have been given the awesome opportunity after 7 years to design, develop, and implement a department in our agency focused on learning and technology for ALL learners - early childhood to post retirement. So exciting, and so intimidating at the same time.

Over the last seven years, I have been working with school districts in our region wearing many different hats. At-Risk programs, teacher training and licensure, grants, curriculum and instruction, 21st century skills, communications, consulting, transformation and innovation in redesigning public education, and internal agency technology oversite .  Technology, whether it has been online learning, technology infrastructure, systems, or leadership has been one of my "other duties as assigned" and something that I have continued to work on and keep up with as it is my personal passion.

The rock and hard place at this point is image and delivery. For 7 years my internal and external clients have worked with me while I have expended time and energy beyond the demands of my "day job" or "infected" my areas of work with technology to move them forward. 7 years of colleagues having some interaction with learning and technology with me, but never a full implementation or focus - mostly an add on or support, a tweak, a frill. To them - there has always been education technology and it has been associated with me and my leadership. And yet, it has only been a sideline activity.

The news that our Board of Control has set a new organizational structure that now enables a full focus on what they have named Education Technology has been received as nothing new. Our board is wonderful and supportive in their vision and direction. They have given me a clear path to make a difference. I do not want to miss that mark. They are correct in that now is the time and there is a need.

Challenges include reasserting and realigning as a full participant in technology related systems transformation. Actively participating in work and leadership in:

• areas of systems for productivity (SIS, CMS, LMS, hardware and software) for the business and management side of education.
• Using technology in K12 learning - how do we move beyond just tech integration and create the transparent use of tools. We know how, but now to scale and implement.
• How does technology catapult personalized learning - for all learners K-Retirement
• Educator training - talking about good teaching and learning with technology and not how to use technology
• Building the networks and supports to maximize social networks, online resources, digital tools for students and adults.
• Establishing the culture and environment to adapt to the constant changes as a matter of fact instead of great stress.

So I need a marketing strategy and a way to help others know - we are able to make this a priority. If you thought we were doing well before - that was when we were just tinkering and had a hobby. We are now focused and prioritized and looking for your engagement and the opportunity to move districts forward in a way we have never been able to participate or support in the last 7 years.

So yes - the pig has new lipstick -but it is just to draw your attention to take a closer look and advantage of our good work together now becoming great work together.