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Helen Mowers

Edublogger, podcaster, lifelong learner

    Work experience

    2009Present

    Leadership Dev/21st C Learning Specialist

    Academic Services Department
    20062009

    Professional Learning Specialist

    Professional Learning Department
    20052006

    Instructional Technology Specialist

    Instructional Technology Department
    19982005

    Instructional Technology Specialist

    Montague Village Elementary
    19941998

    Pre-AP Physical Science Teacher

    Killeen High School 9th Grade Center

    Education

    2010

    Alternative Principal Certification, Region 12

    1997

    Masters of Science in Education Human Resource Development

    Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
    1995

    Alternative Teacher Certification, TMATE

    Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas
    1994

    Bachelor’s of Science in GeneticsB.Sc

    Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

    Contract Employment

    2009 & 2010         teacher2teacher ConferenceMedicine Hat, Canada
    2009Emerge Summer InstituteEdmonton, Canada
    2008

    Region VIII Podcasting and Digital Storytelling

    		ESC, Region VIII, Mt Pleasant, TX
    2007Region VI iPod & PodcastingApple, Inc
    2005Region XII Technology Instructor for Pre-service teachers             ESC, Region XII—Waco, TX
    2003-05Professional Development Killeen ISD – Killeen, TX
    1998-01Technology Trainer School Vision – Austin, TX
    1997-98Consultant, Center for Distance Learning ResearchTexas A&M University – Bryan, TX

    Exellent Communicator

    • Co-creator TechChickTips (http://techchicktips.net) – podcast and blog supporting the role of technology to transform learning and teaching
    • Maintain and contribute to my PLN as an active participant of a variety of social networks specifically for educational technology and teaching, learning, and leading (e.g. Twitter, Ning, LinkedIn, etc.)
    • Created and maintain a number of online spaces to facilitate communication among central office support and campus personnel (professional development materials, discussion boards, collaborative learning, etc.)
    • Proven track record of designing and delivering content and motivating employees in capacity building sessions covering a wide variety of topics (most recently Podcasting for the Fine Arts – a 12 hour workshop series)
    • Presented at numerous local, regional, state, national, and international conferences, including Texas Computer Educator’s Association (state and regional), National Education Computing Conference (NECC/ISTE), teacher2teacher, Texas Distance Learning Association, and Texas Women’s Business Association (most recently a Spotlight Panel at NECC ’09: Podcasting and Podcatching for the Absolute Beginner and a Spotlight Panel at Tech Forum Southwest ‘09: Beyond the Hype: Focusing on What Really Matters)
    • Authored multiple articles featured in School Library Journal (latest May, 2008 http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6555562.html)
    • Collaborated to serve as a proposal reviewer for ISTE 2010
    • Contributed to iTunes U Continuity of Learning Project
    • Leadership role in numerous district initiatives including:
      • Schlechty Center for Leadership in Reform—Working on the Work:
        • served as Design Fellow at Leadership and Design Team Conferences
        • successfully completed Coaching for Design, Level II
      • Textbook adoptions technology consultant
      • District technology plan committee (2000, 2005, 2007)
      • Curriculum writing (multiple subjects and grade levels)
      • Emotional Intelligence trainer
    • Consulted in numerous Texas school districts covering a wide variety of topics, including technology integration, critical thinking skills, distance learning, and alternative assessments

               

    Exemplary Leadership

    • Support numerous district-wide events, to include logistical coordination, content design, and facilitation (district wide learning experiences, design conferences, presenter broadcasts, etc)
    • New Professional Induction: facilitate multiple Induction sessions throughout the year for over 600 new professionals annually - prepare content and supporting materials, coordinate facilitators for training and technology support, helped to create/maintain database to track attendance, communicate with district and campus staff to sustain support for new professionals
    • Facilitate mentor training and induction (over 200 mentors and 600 new professionals annually)
    • Awarded Apple Distinguished Educator, Class of 2007, and Google Certified Teacher, 2010, for educational technology leadership
    • Coordinated district-wide Young Author’s Conference, co-sponsored by the Bell County Reading Council: promoted, acquired authors/presenters/speakers, garnered community support, and registered and scheduled over 300 participants, parents and volunteers.

    Exceptional Thinker

    • Seeker of creative solutions for challenges presented
    • Designed district-wide Design Academy, Digital Literacy, and Digital Leadership learning experiences
    • Collaborated to help design district-created professional learning registration and tracking application (LEARN: Learn ~ Engage ~ Apply ~ Review ~ Network)
    • Collaborated to create and maintain a campus database that teachers use to track early attendance, tardies, discipline and other student-related issues
    • Created template for curriculum writers to use that could be imported directly into district curriculum database
    • Created curriculum for Physical Science (now called IPC) and coordinated and setup multiple science labs when 9th Grade campuses opened

    Evolving Skills

    • Experience using Macintosh and Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office products, visual mapping, multimedia production and productivity, and Web 2.0/Internet applications
    • Thinkfinity Field Trainer of the Month for June, 2009
    • Challenge-based Learning and Personalized Learning at Apple Distinguished Educator Summer Institute, July, 2009
    • Live-blogged multiple events from Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development annual conference (March 6-8, 2010)