AETA Winter Conference and ALCTO

It's always a great time for the Technology Directors to get together to learn from each other. These past few days, I had the privilege of meeting with our AETA group during our AL CTO training and Winter Conference. The AL CTO training for this week, actually tied into our Winter Conference message. Technology Directors in the Beta group had training on CTO Roles and Responsibilities, and Laws, Ethics, and Policies.

Both of these courses were great and it was definitely something we technology directors needed to talk about. The role of the Technology Officer has evolved over the years. What started out as probably a simple position, which was mainly given to a librarian or teacher with technology skills, has drastically changed. During the Winter Conference, AETA spoke of these roles and majority of the room agreed with those duties. "If it plugs into the wall, or powers on, we are responsible for", was the phrase that we agreed summed up our position. However, with the AL CTO training, we learn, that it's more than just that. Well, a lot more.

The goal of the training, was not to bash how much work we have as technology directors (well, yes it was, just a little), but it was to get an understanding of it and how we can help each other, when we are lacking in those roles. It's obvious, that the technology director position can become quite overwhelming. Those who have a technology background, struggles with understanding education; likewise, those with an educational background, has no clue about technology. That is why it has been extremely helpful that technology directors in the State of Alabama get together and work out these obstacles.

 #alcto #aeta17 #aeta

This year's Winter Conference, was also a celebration. We celebrated the technology directors who were certified in the CTO cohort. We celebrated the vendors, and thanked them on working with us on our needs and the needs of the students for our school systems. Without them, we wouldn't be able to get the devices or software we need for our students. We celebrated each other. Anything, small or large, that has happened in someone's district, we celebrated. From 1:1 initiatives, to upgrading network equipment, we celebrated. We especially celebrated our biggest accomplishment known in our AETA group; the Alabama Ahead Act or what's also known as the WIRED bill. This celebration is actually seen in the faces of students. Students who smile as they turn on their devices. Whether it's a tablet, a laptop, or chromebook, we are thankful for this Act. We are thankful to see the students when they are engaged and are learning from teachers in these classrooms. This Act, made it possible for majority of the school systems in Alabama, to upgrade existing network equipment and wireless. Also, schools were able to purchase devices for the students.

I, especially, am celebrating the committee who thought to make this possible. Speaking for my school system, in Troy, we are thankful. We have been able to advance our initiative at our school, and give the students and teachers the chromebooks they need to increase student achievement. With upgrading our network infrastructure and wireless, Troy City Schools now has the wireless capacity that we needed to move our initiative forward. So we say thank you, and we celebrate!