The CTO Academy For K-12 Early Career and Aspiring CTOs is a program to address the needs of education technology leaders who are new (less than four full years) to their CTO or Technology Leadership position or aspiring CTOs and EdTech leaders currently working in a technology department. Participants will have the opportunity to develop EdTech leadership skills including; managing diverse teams, leading a variety of projects simultaneously, and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders. Academy participants make a positive impact on student-centered and digital learning in their school district and enhance their career trajectory.

Scholarships may be available for EdTech Leaders from underrepresented populations in the education technology community. Please indicate in the application if you are interested.

This program was developed through public and private sector leaders, district CTOs and EdTech leaders to address current professional development needs and thought partner support for aspiring and early-career CTO and EdTech leaders.

If you have any questions, please email: Jill Brown, jbrown@cosn.org, CoSN Director of Professional Learning, or Donna Williamson, donna.davis.williamson@gmail.com, Project Facilitator.

Note, the application uses a Google Form. If your school blocks access, please use a personal account or email us for other options.

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Applications for the National Cohort are DUE September 1, Each Year

The national cohort is capped at 40, with a waitlist if applicants cannot accept. All waitlist applicants will be considered first for the next year's cohort. If you have questions about New York or Georgia cohorts, email jbrown@cosn.org.

CoSN’s Early Career K-12 CTO Academy for Today's EdTech Leaders

Do you have, or know of, an early career CTO with less than four full years of experience? CoSN has a unique professional development opportunity for new technology directors, the Early Career K-12 CTO Academy. The year-long program builds a support system where new CTOs have access to resources and support that meet their unique needs. We also accept aspiring EdTech CTOs. Email Jill Brown, jbrown@cosn.org, or Donna Williamson, donna.davis.williamson@gmail.com, for more information.

This blended learning model consists of:

  • Mentorship – a thought partner/mentor to match your specific needs
  • Two virtual events per month beginning in October that include deep dive discussions and practical activities
  • Capstone project (select projects may be featured at the CoSN Conference)
  • Private online community consisting of past and current cohort members and mentors
  • Event at the CoSN Conference that will acknowledge participants' completion of the program

CoSN's Framework

The content is aligned with CoSN's Framework of Essential Skills and to the immediate needs of an early career K-12 CTO. Topics includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • Leadership and Vision
  • Finance and Budgeting
  • Communications with an emphasis on soft skills
  • Partnering with Curriculum and Learning
  • Infrastructure
  • Data Privacy and Security

Deep Dive Discussions

The Deep Dive Discussions include but are not limited to the topics below:

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in EdTech
  • Data Privacy Follow-up and AUP Policies and
  • Enforcement
  • Managing People: IT and HR (Motivation, Vision & Buy-in)
  • Finance and E-Rate
  • Project Management
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Long Range Planning
  • Technology Plans
  • Cybersecurity

CoSN’s Early Career K-12 CTO Academy prepares new technology directors with fewer than four full years of experience to:

  • Lead the creation of a culture of innovation in their school district.
  • Build a Professional Learning Network (PLN) of EdTech experts and other new CTOs through face-to-face and virtual meetings.
  • Understand best practices to build diverse teams that include under-represented populations in the edtech industry including African Americans, Latin, and Native Americans, Pacific-Islanders, and females.
  • Benefit from the experience of veteran tech and curriculum leaders in the areas of supporting student-centered learning, technology budgeting, technical support strategies, infrastructure, effective strategies for communications, and more.
  • Be part of discussions centered around new strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners.
  • Improve the soft skills necessary to work effectively with others in the culture-specific to their school district.
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CoSN Welcomes the 2023-2024 Cohort

CoSN 2022-2023 Past Cohort

DEI Scholarship Opportunity

The CTO Academy tries to secure five Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Academy Scholarships every year for CTOs from underrepresented populations in the education technology community. As part of the application process, you may request to be considered for one of these scholarships, if they are available.

"The work of a District Technology Leader can be lonely at times. The Early Career K-12 CTO Academy brings value and partnership to the daily work of a CTO. With a focus on leadership and vision, finance and budgeting, communications, infrastructure, and data privacy and security, this unique learning opportunity provides timely support both in resources and thought partners to those new to technology leadership."

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Amy Sterckx
Sturgeon Bay School District
Wisconsin

"The CTO Academy is absolutely the most valuable resource I have available to me! The modules are relevant and the learning coincides with what is current in my work life. Despite the variety of skill sets, the academy design supports all new CTO’s, and the course facilitator was very conscious of meeting me at my level, which ensured a quality experience."

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Tony Alvarez
Governor Mifflin School District
Pennsylvania

Thank you to our 2024/2025 Sponsor:

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