2013 Cohort

I have been in education for 13 years as an elementary education teacher and, most recently as an elementary assistant principal and early childhood administrator. I have taught 3rd grade in Vermillion, SDand 4th and 1st grade in Storm Lake, IA. I then decided to pursue an administrative career in Spencer, IA. I will be starting my 5th year as an administrator during the ’13-’14 school year.

I earned my BA at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. Upon moving to Vermillion, SD for my first teaching job, I earned my MA from the University of South Dakota in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading. Following my move back to Storm Lake from Vermillion, I earned my English as a Second Language Endorsement through William Penn University, as we had a very diverse population in Storm Lake, and I wanted to develop more strategies and skills to better meet their needs daily. After teaching for 7 years, I decided to pursue my administrative degree through the Iowa Principal Leadership academy. This program aligned closely to the Iowa Leadership standards and action research was utilized to further my own development as a future administrator. I look forward to continuing my learning with a cohort of peers with similar educational interests. 

I do enjoy reading, both novels and current research in education. My two kids, husband and I like to travel at least once a year to take time away to be together.


Robert Appino is an enthusiastic educator and learner. He enjoys teaching the middle years and has taught Humanities (Lauguage Arts and Social Studies), Writing and Technology. Currently Robert is theMS Technology Learning Facilitator at Saigon South International School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He is also very involved in the Global Issues Network (GIN), a UbD Trainer, SUNY COETAIL instructorand passionate about game-based learning. Robert has presented at many regional conferences in Asia. You can find Robert on Twitter @rappin01 or read about his thoughts at www.rappino.com.


Taylor grew up in the central Kentucky area and is now a high school math teacher in Kentucky. He received his B.S. Mathematics and a Music Minor with an Honors Diploma from Murray State University. Directly following his undergraduate degree, Taylor completed the GSky Teach program (Cohort II), thereby earning a M.A. in Education through Western Kentucky University. Outside of the classroom, Taylor is a visual/musical technician for the Eastern High School Marching Band in Louisville, KY. He is also a drill writer/designer for various marching ensembles.

Taylor lives in Louisville, KY with his wife (and fellow math teacher), Elizabeth, and their daughter Abigail. His passions include playing trumpet, playing racquetball, running, Drum and Bugle Corps, and technology in education.


Leigh is a web services manager for Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio. She has worked in higher education for over 17 years in the field of information and instructional technology. She directed the development and implementation of the university’s initial distance education initiatives and currently leads the planning, production and activities of the university’s web systems.

Leigh holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems and is an adjunct faculty member in the university’s Department of Business Administration.


Sara is a Special Education teacher at Centennial School of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She integrates technology with iPads, SMARTBoards, and other web tools in the classroom. Her students have presented at a state technology conference and entered a film festival. Sara’s role as a lead teacher allows her to mentor teachers, chair committees, and lead school-wide professional development. She has presented at numerous conferences and provided teacher in-service trainings. 

Sara holds a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from East Stroudsburg University and a M.S. in Instructional Technology from Lehigh University . Recently, Sara completed her Special Education Supervisory Certification program. Her research interests include: active engagement, special education and technology integration, data analysis, and professional development. Find her on Twitter @saraheintzelman.


I am currently the school technology coordinator at Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Additionally, I teach chemistry courses as well as duel-credit chemistry classes through Spalding University. I have been working on integrating new technology and research based technology practices into the science program, and other programs at Ballard. I am also the Debate Coach and our team went to Nationals this year during our first year of competition.

I graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Chemistry. I then attended Old Dominion University and obtained by M.S. in Chemistry. I was an adjunct faculty member at East Tennessee State University before completing my M.A. in Education from Western Kentucky University. My research interests include: using e-readers to improve literacy in 9–12 grade science courses, improving assessment with new technologies in the science classroom, increasing effective pedagogical practices with technology integration.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my twin boys and new born baby girl. I love tossing new ideas around with my lovely wife and coworkers. Nothing can be better than a good cup of coffee in the morning. I love my debate team and enjoy celebrating their successes.


Marrkus Marshall is a high school teacher who presently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He has taught several subjects in his content area including AP World History, Economics, Personal Finance, and U.S. History. He currently serves as Academy Lead Teacher and Chair of the Social Studies Department.He started his teaching career in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Georgia State University and earned a B.A. in History. He subsequently earned a M.S. in Secondary Social Studies Education from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and his Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. 

Marrkus is interested in exploring the interplay between education policy and technology, as it relates to maximizing student learning and achievement. In his spare time he enjoys watching movies, reading, music, and coaching high school basketball.


With over 15 years of experience as an educator and administrator, Jason has a dynamic and engaging perspective regarding education in rural schools. Over the course of his career, Jason has taught at a variety of grade levels in different contexts. He has been a curriculum coordinator of Social Studies and Aboriginal Education, a school Technology Leader, principal of an Outreach School, and is currently the principal of Youngstown School. A graduate of the University of Alberta with his Bachelor in Education degree, Jason earned his Masters Degree from the University of Calgary majoring in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning in 2005.

Jason believes in creating positive and engaging learning environments for students. With a strong history of supporting and encouraging academic achievement, Jason also focuses on providing opportunities in the fine arts, career and technology studies, and athletics to create well-rounded students. Jason believes in the viability of rural schools and views part of his role as connecting with community. He strongly supports the value of bringing community into the school and tapping into the expertise of individuals in the community to enhance student learning. As well, a strong focus throughout his career has been on finding ways to leverage technology tools to enhance the learning of all students.

Jason has a wide range of interests from wood working to motorcycles and their maintenance. On top of that he is an avid learner, always seeking for ways to learn something new and then pass that learning on to his students and the staff he works with. He is very excited to be a part of the School Technology Leadership program and is hoping to expand his skills as a researcher and move into that role in his career as well.


Ryan Schubart began his teaching career in 2002 at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After teaching in the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial for eight years, Ryan began serving as an Assistant Principal at Princess Anne High School, also in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership both from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Throughout his career, Ryan has sought out new ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. He developed a senior project class for the Legal Studies Academy with a digital portfolio component. In addition, he taught one of the first on-line courses offered to high school students in Virginia Beach.

As an administrator, Ryan seeks to further integrate technology into education to ensure all students thrive as 21st century learners, workers and citizens. He focuses his energy on assisting students to become effective communicators, critical thinkers, innovators and problem solvers.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife Tamara, his two boys Maxwell and Harrison, and his golden retriever, Millie. He was raised a Wildcat basketball fan and is passionate about education and technology. He is excited about the opportunity to attend the University of Kentucky.


Tyler Watts is the Associate Dean of Learning Resources at Broward College’s international center located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He oversees the school’s instructional technology initiatives, provides faculty support and training and is administrator for blended learning programs offered through Moodle.

Tyler also teaches management and first year college skills courses, preparing Vietnamese students for the academic and cultural challenges of an American Degree program, of which technology plays an integral role.

His professional interests include learning management systems and their movement towards greater collaboration and connectivism and the development of open education resources.

In his free time, Tyler enjoys exploring back alley coffee shops with his family and delving into Saigon’s history. Feel free to connect via Twitter @wattsedtech.