Innovation Insights by Kevin Hogan

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Whatever it takes: How one underserved district continues to make it through the pandemic

January 25, 2023August 24, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

A superintendent forges a path for her district—a path that highlights student voice and community

Listening to Alena Zachery-Ross, Superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools in Michigan, managing her district through this pandemic almost sounds like a positive story.

District Management

Why districts need to think creatively–inside the box

August 10, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

A district superintendent details how his leadership team used the pandemic to expand learning opportunities for all students.

Scott Bailey, Superintendent for Desert Sands Unified School District (CA), didn’t let the pandemic get in the way of his team’s plans. Instead, he used the disruptions as…

District Management

Onwards and upwards: How one district not only survived, but thrived, through the pandemic

July 6, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

A small Georgia district saw an opportunity to completely revamp outdated practices and policies during the pandemic

In this episode of Innovations in Education, Superintendent Kristie Brooks, Ed.D., describes how they were able to grow their student body, provide improved personal and professional development, and…

COVID-19 Update

Making a post-pandemic promise

June 15, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

A district superintendent shares advice and insight for other district leaders hoping to make a strong start in the fall post-pandemic.

Vicksburg Warren School District (VWSD) Superintendent Chad Shealy is irrepressible. Whether you are talking about COVID response, CTE strategies, or curriculum content, Chad not only makes you feel…

District Management

Changing learning for the better after COVID

May 18, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

Discover how COVID prompted one district to adjust to more flexible learning methods

For Rick Cave, Director of Technology at West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District in New Jersey, the biggest challenge to pivoting during the pandemic wasn’t the platforms, but the…

District Management

No going back: Why schools need to keep some pandemic techniques

April 27, 2021April 27, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

With a pandemic-induced move to virtual comes increased access to online PD events and a greater chance to share best practices.

District Management

Professional development should remain a pandemic priority

April 13, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

For Diane Lauer, Assistant Superintendent of Priority Programs and Academic Support at St. Vrain Valley Schools in Colorado, COVID couldn’t stop teacher training. In fact, her work became…

COVID-19 Update

How using data during COVID becomes more important than ever

March 22, 2021March 22, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

Data is an integral part of this district’s operations, from student engagement to staff vaccinations

For Matt Reynolds, Assessment and Data Officer for the 64,000+ students that attend Douglas County School District in Colorado, running the usual assessment numbers was obviously useless last…

COVID-19 Update

Special education success, even during a pandemic

March 2, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

The move to virtual learning hasn’t impeded this district’s special education process

When it comes to integrating technology into the day-to-day workings of special education, even during rolling lockdowns and remote instruction, there is no longer a question of either/or…

District Management

Be prepared: It’s a cliché for a reason

February 22, 2021February 16, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

A district's new AV implementation positioned it to be uniquely situation to handle learning changes when COVID-19 emerged

According to Tony Spence, for a district to be ready for everything, it has to constantly be preparing for something. And maybe be a little bit lucky. In…

District Management

Leading in this time of crisis

February 9, 2021February 2, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

Henry (Hank) Thiele, Superintendent for Community High School District 99 in Thorndale (IL) can’t stop looking forward. Despite the current, daily chaos of re-opening and lockdowns, hybrid and…

District Management

How one district supports STEM during COVID

December 15, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Across this district, educators are stepping up to ensure STEM learning is on track and engaging for students

Like every educator, Frank Pileiro has had to pivot. As Supervisor of Technology at Linwood Board of Education in South Jersey, he has the added pressure of overseeing…

District Management

Looking for the little wins during COVID

December 1, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

How one district manages the new remote school year by focusing on social-emotional learning first

Everyone has a crazy COVID story. For Brigantine, NJ Superintendent Glenn Robbins, it goes something like this—lead a school district through a global pandemic having hardly met the…

District Management

These schools are thriving during COVID–all due to hard work

November 24, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

How one district changed the rules to not just survive, but thrive, in “the new normal”

Eileen Belastock has been waiting for this moment, just not under these circumstances. As Director of Academic Technology for Mount Greylock Regional School District, which serves 1,250 students…

Digital Innovation

Keeping COVID innovations even after the pandemic passes

December 7, 2022November 17, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

One district is hoping to preserve new technologies and innovations it adopted this year—even once COVID lockdowns are a thing of the past

Hoover City Schools in suburban Birmingham, AL, was already one-to-one when the pandemic struck in March. And while its transition to remote learning in the spring was relatively…

District Management

How automation keeps bullying in check—both in-person and remote

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Student bullying has, in some cases, become worse with the move to online learning during COVID-19--here's how to keep tabs on it

Even a pandemic won’t stop bad student behavior--and in many cases, it inflames bullying. In this conversation with eSchool News, Laura Lockhart, director of student services of Keller…

COVID-19 Update

Running an esports program in a remote learning model

November 3, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Learn how one district is using gaming--and esports in particular--to build community and serve student well-being

James O’Hagan is not playing around. As Director of Digital and Virtual Learning for the Racine Unified School District in Wisconsin, his job entails not just managing the…

COVID-19 Update

How COVID put a spotlight on equity

October 27, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

For Todd Dugan, superintendent of Bunker Hill CUSD #8, a small, remote district in southern Illinois, issues surrounding back-to-school COVID-19 style are not abstract but all too real.…

District Management

Putting a device in every hand during emergency learning

October 20, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

For Sandra Paul, Director of of Information Technology at the Township of Union Public Schools in Northern New Jersey, the goal is simple—every one of the 7,200 kids…

District Management

STEM in the time of COVID: How one district keeps innovating in “The Weirds”

October 13, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Like every educator, Frank Pileiro has had to pivot. As Supervisor of Technology at Linwood Board of Education in South Jersey, he has the added pressure of overseeing…

District Management

Dealing with data during COVID-19

October 6, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Through mapping software, this district tech leader is finding the most appropriate blended learning solutions for this fall with data.

When Mark Finstrom, Chief Technology Officer for Highline Public Schools (WA), first integrated data analytic mapping software into his district’s digital toolbox a few years ago, it was…

District Management

Looking for the little wins

September 29, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Everyone has a crazy COVID story. For Brigantine, NJ Superintendent Glenn Robbins, it goes something like this—lead a school district through a global pandemic having hardly met the…

District Management

Hard work is helping these schools thrive during COVID-19

September 22, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Eileen Belastock has been waiting for this moment, just not under these circumstances. As Director of Academic Technology for Mount Greylock Regional School District, which serves 1,250 students…

District Management

Game on: Esports in a remote learning model

September 15, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

James O’Hagan is not playing around. As Director of Digital and Virtual Learning for the Racine Unified School District in Wisconsin, his job entails not just managing the…

District Management

How COVID brought this district closer together–even when everyone was apart

September 8, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Jenith Mishne is a relentlessly positive person. Not even a global pandemic can dampen her enthusiasm when talking about her job as Director of Education Technology in the…

COVID-19 Update

Doing PD in a pandemic

September 1, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Learn how this district is prioritizing PD and prepping its staff for success during--and after--the COVID-19 pandemic

Jon Castelhano, Executive Director of Technology at Gilbert Public Schools in suburban Phoenix, Arizona, is making lemonade. Instead of stopgap measures to make it through the COVID-19 crisis,…

COVID-19 Update

Dealing with the intangibles of learning during COVID-19

August 25, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Forget about tech for a minute. For Adam Phyall, Director of Technology and Media Services for Newton County School System (GA), connectivity, communication, and emotional support are what…

COVID-19 Update

Flexibility is key when it comes to COVID

August 18, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

A longtime tech-enabled district shares its secrets for hybrid learning success

Joe Kuzo is as ready as he will ever be. As Tech Director for the Quakertown Community School District in suburban Philadelphia (PA), which includes nine schools, he’s…

District Management

The hidden benefits of a move to online instruction

August 11, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

That COVID “where were you when” moment from last March is still fresh in Paul Sanfrancesco’s mind. Watching neighboring districts ... Read more

District Management

Time to get real with equity

August 5, 2020August 4, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

For Todd Dugan, superintendent of Bunker Hill CUSD #8, a small, remote district in southern Illinois, issues surrounding back-to-school COVID-19 style are not abstract but all too real.…

District Management

A device in every hand during COVID-19

July 28, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

For Sandra Paul, Director of of Information Technology at the Township of Union Public Schools in Northern New Jersey, the goal is simple—every one of the 7,200 kids…

District Management

Feedback and flexibility: Two keywords for one district’s goal for fall

July 21, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

As the newly-installed Director of Student Information at Barrington School District in suburban Chicago (IL), a district with 9,000 students and 13 schools, Phil Hintz has an added…

District Management

Professional Development Pandemic Style—How one District Is Prepping Staff For Success

July 14, 2020July 14, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Jon Castelhano, Executive Director of Technology at Gilbert Public Schools in suburban Phoenix, Arizona, is making lemonade. Instead of stopgap ... Read more

District Management

Stepping back to succeed: How one district is dealing with the intangibles of the unthinkable

July 7, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

With fall decisions looming, learn how this district tech director is looking at some of the biggest COVID-related challenges for students, educators, and parents

Forget about tech for a minute. For Adam Phyall, Director of Technology and Media Services for Newton County School System (GA), connectivity, communication, and emotional support are what…

District Management

Data vs. COVID-19: How one district runs the numbers

June 30, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

When Mark Finstrom, Chief Technology Officer for Highline Public Schools (WA), first integrated data analytic mapping software into his district’s digital toolbox a few years ago, it was…

District Management

Now the hard work starts

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Eileen Belastock has been waiting for this moment, just not under these circumstances. As Director of Academic Technology for Mount Greylock Regional School District, which serves 1,250 students…

District Management

Whatever it takes: How this district pivoted with the pandemic

June 16, 2020June 16, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

When speaking with Andrew Wallace, Director of Technology, South Portland Maine Schools, two classic marketing slogans come to mind: “Think Different” and “Just Do It.” Whether it is…

District Management

How Newport-Mesa Unified School District became closer by being apart

June 11, 2020June 9, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

Jenith Mishne is a relentlessly positive person. Not even a global pandemic can dampen her enthusiasm when talking about her job as Director of Education Technology in the…

District Management

How Owen J. Roberts School District made the remote transition

June 3, 2020June 2, 2020 by Kevin Hogan

That COVID “where were you when” moment from last March is still fresh in Paul Sanfrancesco’s mind. Watching neighboring districts announce closures and realizing his own faculty would…

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Kevin Hogan

Kevin is a forward-thinking media executive with more than 25 years of experience building brands and audiences online, in print, and face to face. He is an acclaimed writer, editor, and commentator covering the intersection of society and technology, especially education technology. You can reach Kevin at KevinHogan@eschoolnews.com

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