Ana Valencia, Board President; Hasmik J. Danielian, Superintendent; Ernesto Centeno, Instructional Technology Coordinator; Patricio Vargas, Assistant Superintendent Ed. Services; Tim Scholefield, Chief Technology Officer; Kelly Baker, Lauren Goodner and Jim Speth, TOSA Technology
All schools are investing in classroom technology and online tools to prepare students for college and careers. However, most teachers have been trained to teach in non-digital classrooms. A new model for professional development is required to help teachers develop the skills needed to use student data, lead connected classrooms and prepare students to thrive and be safe in the Google age. Norwalk-La Mirada USD held its first annual Blended Learning Summit in 2015 to support teachers as they began integrating technology in the classroom. The Blended Learning Summit is a multi-day conference offering hands-on workshops for all grade levels and content areas. Fellow teachers lead the workshops, using curriculum and technology that teachers have in their classrooms. Teachers develop a personalized learning plan, choosing workshops that meet their interests and needs. Personalized professional development gives teachers first-hand experience for developing personalized learning and 21st-century classrooms.