2007 Board Elections - Institutional Candidates

	Elections Information Marla Davenport Tony Korwin Ed Zaiontz Steve Zsiray

Marla Davenport

Personal Information

Intermediate Service Unit Member
Director of Learning and Technology, TIES (MN)
davenpo@ties.k12.mn.us

Experience and Educational Background

In my job as Director of Learning and Technology at TIES, a joint power cooperative of 38 Minnesota school districts, I supervise a professional staff of curriculum consultants, trainers, web engineers and teacher contractors, and coordinate professional development, technology assessment and planning activities with school districts. I’ve earned a Master of Arts in Education Degree from St. Thomas University and am pursuing a Doctorate in Education Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology. My areas of expertise include technology integration, technology planning and assessment and project development. I have been a member of the NCREL Blue Ribbon Panel, the Board of Directors for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and the National K-20 Advisory Committee for Internet2.

As a prospective member of the CoSN Board of Directors, what do you view as the top three priorities for improving K-12 information technology?

Priority One:

Sharing best practices and what works for students considering the changes in our students as they become part of a global society.

Priority Two:

Continuing to advocate for funding for technology for student learning nationally and locally.

Priority Three:

Building strong leaders in information technology to lead schools and districts to improve the opportunities for learning for students with technology tools.

I wish become a member of the CoSN Board of Directors because:

The CoSN organization has the opportunity provide leadership and to build capacity for leadership in information technology nationwide and even worldwide to improve student learning. Being a member of the Board of Directors means helping shape the direction of the organization. I would like to have the opportunity to work with this group of very talented people to build the vision for the future.

If elected, I bring the following skills to the CoSN Board of Directors:

As an active member of CoSN and former Board Member, I support the mission and goals of the organization and understand the issues that need to be resolved. My work with many school districts gives me a perspective to see needs and opportunities at the local, regional and state level.

I believe the most important goals for CoSN to achieve as a leading K-12 technology organization are:

1. Build leadership skills in district technology leaders.
2. Support national and state efforts to increase funding for technlogy in schools.
3. Share "what works" with schools nationally and world-wide.

Candidate Statement

I am excited to have the opportunity to run for election to the CoSN board representing institutional members across the nation. In my position at TIES in Minnesota, I work with many school districts and their CTO’s. This experience has helped me see the successes and challenges around using technology for student learning, professional development and managing the education process and how the CoSN tools can help. Participating in a number of CoSN committees and serving on the CoSN Board in the past has helped me understand the vision and goals, as well as the operating procedures of the organization. Visiting Capitol Hill through Ed Tech Action Network (ETAN), a CoSN partner, underscored for me the importance of advocacy at the national and local level to keep the need for technology funding on the radar of our decision makers. Participating in several national professional organizations has helped me value the unique role that CoSN serves ultimately shaping and supporting the use of technology to help students learn the skills they need to thrive in the evolving 21st Century. I would like very much to represent you and your district on the CoSN Board and appreciate your support.