January 27, 2010
| Contact: |
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Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator |
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(425) 702-3300
sparthemer@lwsd.org |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District Superintendent Chip Kimball has been named one of the top ten superintendents from around the nation who best exemplify outstanding leadership in the use of technology to further educational goals, as announced by eSchool News (eSN).
Here are the winners of the 2010 eSN Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards:
- Eric Conti – Burlington, MA
- Jan Harris – Cullman, AL
- Manuel Isquierdo – Sunnyside, AZ
- Chip Kimball -- Lake Washington, WA
- Pam Moran -- Albemarle County, VA
- Carolyn Ross -- Churchill County, NV
- Kim Ross-- Houston Public Schools, MN
- Amy Sichel – Abington, PA
- Gary Smuts -- ABC Unified, CA
- Craig Witherspoon -- Edgecombe County, NC
When asked about the award, Dr. Kimball said: “This award is really about how supportive our community is in creating an environment for 21st century learning, where technology is used to support all students’ learning. I am thrilled that LWSD is recognized as a national leader in this area, which would not happen without the support of our school board, staff and community.”
“Research shows that technology can facilitate better teaching and learning, but only when used judiciously,” said Dennis Pierce, editor of eSchool News. “And that starts at the very top, with strong district leadership. If you start with a clear vision for how to implement technology effectively, and you make sure your staff is well supported and trained, and you seek to change instructional practices to leverage technology’s potential, then technology really can empower education. And that’s what the winners of our annual Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards have done.”
The 2010 winners were selected based on 10 “Hallmarks of Excellence.” Each honoree:
- Must be a general superintendent.
- Models the effective use of technology in the day-to-day execution of the superintendency.
- Ensures that technology resources are equitably distributed among students and staff.
- Insists that adequate professional development is a component of every technology initiative.
- Demonstrates exceptional vision in leading the development and implementation of a district-wide technology plan.
- Exhibits a thorough understanding of the role of technology in education and can articulate that understanding to all school district stakeholders.
- Provides exceptional leadership in supporting the integration of technology into the curriculum.
- Demonstrates exceptional vision in employing technology to streamline school district business operations.
- Demonstrates curiosity and open-mindedness in considering emerging technologies and weighing non-traditional solutions to traditional problems.
- Thinks creatively and strategically about the long-term challenges and opportunities of technology in the school district and in education at large.
Recipients of the Tenth Annual eSN Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards Program are invited to an exclusive, private luncheon to be held on February 11, 2010, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel simultaneous with the annual American Association of School Administrators’ National Conference on Education.
Launched in 2001, the Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards (TSSA) Program honors K-12 chief executives who have displayed exemplary vision in the use of technology to further the goals of educating today’s students and equip them with 21st century skills. Initially, superintendents are nominated by their colleagues and peers. Once a field of hundreds of nominations are culled, the editors of eSN along with past-years’ TSSA recipients select the current cohort of ten winners.
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About Lake Washington: Lake Washington School District is a high-performing public school district serving Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish, Washington. It is the sixth largest district in the state of Washington, with 24,000 students in 50 schools.