The Member Spotlight is a new way for CoSN members get to know each other and improve networking. Each month, CoSN will select a member who has volunteered to answer various questions about themselves, personal and professional, and then share their responses with our entire CoSN community.
October 2023 Member Spotlight
Amy L. Jackson, Ed.D., CETL®
Dr. Amy L. Jackson currently serves as the Supervisor of Educational Technology & Programs at Arlington Public Schools (APS) in Arlington, VA. In her capacity, she oversees a dedicated team of 40 Instructional Technology Coordinators, providing essential support to educators within APS. APS is dedicated to providing quality education to a diverse student body across its 42 schools, with an enrollment of approximately 27,000 students.
1. How long have you been a member of CoSN? Why did you join CoSN?
“Three years.”
2. Why did you join CoSN? What do you enjoy about being a member?
“My experience with CoSN started after being blessed with a scholarship from VSTE to complete the CETL® certification course and was wowed by all of the support that is wrapped around the members. I decided to join because I wanted to become more well-rounded in my professional endeavors and further build my professional network. I enjoy the opportunities for growth and the amazing networks that can be built."
3. What Committee do you currently volunteer with?
"I am currently on the Advisory Board and the Professional Learning Committee."
4. What does your daily work entail?
"I am housed in the Office of Academics, so my daily work is built around integrating digital tools and resources into curriculum and instruction. Although the greatest work I do each day is leading a team of 40 Instructional Technology Coordinators who support the educators of APS daily. They are my greatest gift, leading and coaching them makes me better."
5. How did you get into the field of educational technology?
“I love all things tech, I’m the kind of person that will read a technical manual because I want to know how things work. I am a career switcher, so I felt behind when I started teaching in 2008. I had students on all levels and knew that I needed help in my classroom to support all of them. I started reading research about the impact technology could have in the classroom on engagement and student growth, so I wanted to try it. At the time, I taught in Fort Worth ISD and they had tech incentives tied to training, so I went to every training I could go to and got a class sets of iPads and a Flip Camera (which I still have). I used the technology to my advantage and saw how it helped me differentiate and support all my student needs. I was hooked, I started presenting for FWISD at their tech conference and the Advanced Academic conference on how technology impacts instruction for both students and educators. I haven’t looked back since."
6. What’s one thing - either industry-related or not - you learned recently?
“As a leader, I want to consistently make the space I work in safer for everyone, so I have been reading Dr. Carey Yazeed’s work on workplace trauma, vulnerability, and psychological safety in the workplace. Her work has definitely allowed me to see how some of the practices we consider “best practices,” can be unintentionally harmful."
7. What are working on right now?
“Finishing my ISTE Certification and writing a journal article on pretty privilege and leadership.”
8. If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
“Photographic Reflexes because it allows you to see something and learn how to do it instantly and it allows you to recall any detail or scene from your memory perfectly."
9. What is your favorite movie or T.V. show?
“My favorite TV Show and Movie is Scooby-Doo! I love mysteries, so this was always my go to as a child."
10. Who inspires you the most?
“This is a hard question, because so many people inspire me. I will say that I am truly inspired by people who are unafraid to live their authentic selves. I think in a world full of respectability politics and “towing” the line, everyone is scared that being authentic will knock them out of the running for greatness. I think it is the opposite, being your true self shows people that you are in fact human, raw, imperfect, vulnerable, and able to change. So, to everyone who is striving to be authentic and relatable, keep going, I need the daily inspiration.”
11. What is your favorite Fall activity?
"Making stews and soups and watching football, Go Cowboys!"
Nominate yourself or another member by filling out the questionnaire.
