March 2025 Member Spotlight

Summer Dail

Summer Dail is the Director of Technology at Beaufort County Schools in North Carolina. She oversees technological initiatives across a district serving approximately 5,800 students in 13 schools. The district has been an active CoSN member for three years.

1.  Why did you join CoSN? What do you enjoy about being a member?

“I joined CoSN when I moved into a district level leadership role. I felt that by joining CoSN I would gain access to a large professional network with a vast array of experiences and expertise. I had a desire to learn more from these professionals so that I could deepen my understanding of educational technology in order to best serve the staff and students of my district."

2.  What CoSN Committee are you a part of?

I serve on both the Membership committee and the Belonging and Inclusion Committee.

3.  How did you get into the field of educational technology?

"I began my career as a classroom teacher. After working with the media coordinator in my school I realized I had a desire to obtain a Library Science degree and become a media coordinator. When I stepped into that role I found that I was most fulfilled when I was hands-on with teachers and students incorporating technology. This commitment to educational technology led me to pursue my current position of Director of Instructional Technology. As a district level leader I get to interact with more staff and students than I did as a school level leader. This exposure to more schools, more staff, and more students has deepened my passion for educational technology."

4.  What does your daily work entail?

"My daily work allows me to work with district leaders, teachers, and students to leverage technology for the purpose of engaging students in instruction. I provide professional development on the integration of a variety of EdTech tools, introduce colleagues to emerging technologies, and troubleshoot instructional tech issues that could provide a barrier to learning. The best part of my day-to-day workload is watching both teachers and students become engaged with new technologies so that they are able to capitalize on learning opportunities.  Seeing their excitement as they learn and master new skills is so rewarding."

5. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you see in the future of educational technology?

"One of the largest challenges I see with the future of educational technology includes equitable access. As a person that serves a medium-sized, rural district with limited funding sources it is not easy to provide access for everyone to the same resources. For example, many of the students in my district do not have access to internet in their homes. Many of them live in remote areas where internet is not available at all. We are a one-to-one district, but with no internet access a Chromebook still cannot connect a student to educational resources.

One of the greatest opportunities that I see with the use of educational technology is that we have a way to engage students and prepare them for their future in the most exciting ways. Using technology to enhance teaching and learning can excite students for learning in new ways. Utilizing educational technology purposefully, empowers students for their futures."

6. What is something you are excited to be working on right now?

"There are two areas of my current work that excite me. I feel like everyone is talking about AI right now and I would be remiss to not discuss it, too. It is thrilling to be able to be immersed in this technology and to see how it impacts the educational landscape. I have been working with teachers in my district to utilize AI for planning and resource creation. I LOVE to see their faces light up when they discover a tool that directly impacts them and their practice in a positive way.

Secondly, together with the technology department and some out of district organizations, we are creating ways for our students to grow their technology skills. We have established student tech teams, summer internships, a digital ambassador program, apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships. These programs not only help our students acquire basic tech skills, they also get to practice soft skills in a professional setting. It is extremely rewarding to see the impact these experiences are having on our students’ lives."

7.  What is your favorite book and/ or TV show you've enjoyed recently?

"I recently read The Midnight Library and Lessons in Chemistry. I highly recommend both. I’m not much of a TV watcher but enjoyed the Martha Stewart Documentary on Netflix. I also loved the Judy Blume documentary."

8.  What hobby(s) do you enjoy doing outside of work?

"Outside of work I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my family. We especially enjoy going to escape rooms and trying new foods and restaurants."

Nominate yourself or another member by filling out the questionnaire.