META Awards 

Nominations for open for the 2023 META Awards!  The Nomination Deadline is Friday, February 17, 2023.  Follow the links to submit a nomination:


2022 National Withrow CTO of the Year Award

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Carol Phillips, District Technology Director at Elder Grove Schools in Billings, was awarded the Withrow Outstanding CTO of the Year Award, on April 12 in Nashville during the CoSN 2022 Conference. The award is sponsored by ClassLink and named after long-time edtech leader Frank Withrow and recognizes an individual who has been a key education innovator. This award is the highest honor CoSN gives to an individual district technology leader.

 


2022 META Technologist of the Year  

The Montana Educational Technologists Association (META) presents the Montana K-12 School Technologist of the Year Program. This award is established to recognize the fine achievements and successes of a Montana K-12 School Technologist (Tech Coordinator, Tech Director, Tech Specialist, etc) at the State level. Eligible candidates for this award must be META members.

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Al Simons
Technology Director, Bonner School District

 


2022 META Empowered Superintendent of the Year 

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Wade Johnson
Superintendent, Cut Bank School District

The Montana Educational Technologists Association (META) presents the first META Empowered Superintendent of the Year Award Program (not to be confused with the MASS/AASA Superintendent of the Year). The META Board of Directors felt this type of award should be established to recognize a school superintendent who consistently and passionately provides educational technology leadership, support, understanding and guidance in working with their school technologist(s) to create a successful and efficient system of technology supported education.

In order for the superintendent to be considered for this award, he/she should demonstrate the following criteria:

1. Must be a current Superintendent in the State of Montana and be a member of the Montana Association of School Superintendents (MASS).

2. Has worked to effectively integrate the use of technology in the day-to-day operation of their educational organization.

3. Ensures that technology resources are equitably distributed among students and staff.  Works hard for adequate funding for instructional technology.

4. Has worked to develop professional development as a component of every technology initiative as well as working to adequately fund that professional development into the future.

5. Demonstrates exceptional Leadership and vision in the development and implementation of a district-wide technology plan.  Follows up on the progress of that plan.

6. Exhibits a thorough understanding of the role of technology in education and can articulate that understanding to all school district stakeholders. Continues to seek out new ways of integrating instructional technology by working with teachers and staff.

7. Provides exceptional leadership in supporting the integration of technology into the curriculum and is always looking forward for new integration paths.

8. Demonstrates exceptional vision in employing technology to streamline school district business operations.

9. Demonstrates curiosity and open-mindedness in considering emerging technologies and weighing non-traditional solutions to traditional problems.  Works with all stakeholders on possible new innovations in instructional technology.

10. Thinks creatively and strategically about the long-term challenges and opportunities of technology in the school district and in education at large.


 Past META Technologists of the Year

Carol Phillips, Elder Grove School District 2021
Brad Somers, Bozeman Public Schools 2020
Kelly Veis, Havre Public Schools 2019
Brian Norwood, Lolo Public Schools 2018
Russ Hendrickson, Missoula County Public Schools 2017
Mindy Obert, Sweet Grass County High School 2016

  

Past META Empowered Superintendents of the Year 

Heather Davis Schmidt, Target Range Elementary 2021
Nathan Schmitz, Elder Grove Schools 2020
Laurie Barron, Evergreen Elementary 2019
Jim Howard,  Bonner Elementary 2018