Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
West Chester School District hires new Instructional Technology coordinator
WEST CHESTER >> The West Chester Area School District is expanding its team of Instructional Technology Coordinators. At the June school board meeting, the Board of Directors approved transferring Christopher Cromwell from his current role as a math specialist at Fugett Middle School to his new position of Instructional Technology Coordinator. He has been with the District for the past 13 years.
The move enables the District to offer greater support to staff in their efforts to combine instructional practices with purposeful technology integration in the classroom.
Cromwell joins existing Instructional Technology Coordinators Dr. Mary Beth Clifton and Jennifer Southmayd.
“Similar to how a coach designs practices to build skills, facilitates scrimmages, and monitors games with athletes, the role of Instructional Technology Coordinator is a coach for all participants in the educational system. The Instructional Technology department works with teachers, principals, and administrators to design professional development, modeling the best practices for incorporating technology into innovative teaching and learning,” said Cromwell.
Cromwell’s focus will be on grades 6-12.
“Students and teachers learn best when they are engaged with content, presented with clear and consistent expectations, and given a variety of ways to demonstrate their knowledge. Technology is not a ‘magic wand’ to increase success in education, but when used correctly, it clearly increases success in all areas. Every aspect of today’s world is being modified and adapted by advances in technology, so in order to prepare our students to achieve their personal best, we have to infuse technology into the school experience.”
Michael Wagman, WCASD Director of Technology, said Cromwell is a welcome addition to the team. “We are pleased to have Chris on our team of instructional technology coordinators. He has been an advocate for teacher professional development in the effective use of technology in teaching and learning. This new position is the next logical step in his career. As a math coach and tech liaison, Chris has been a teacher-leader at Fugett Middle School and has worked with the instructional technology team based at the Spellman Education Center in the delivery of our summer professional learning opportunities and new teacher orientation.
The West Chester Area School District uses a number of different digital platforms, programs, and other resources to help students develop the skills needed for success in the 21st century.