Conference Committee

  • The Annual Technology in Education Conference is the work of a committee that meets and plans throughout the year to bring you the best conference experience possible.



    Rhonda Miller

    Instructional Technology Specialist, Linkhorne Middle School in Lynchburg City Schools for the past 16 years. Middle school math teacher for the 20 previous years.

    VSTE Board of Directors from 1990 to 1997, President in 1996, member of technology conference committee from 2000 to present, and co-chair for past 4 years.

    Served as Manuscript Referee and Software Reviewer for NCTM, member of VA Educational Technology Advisory Committee to develop the 6 year state tech plan, and member of VA Task Force to identify Tech Standards for Instructional Personnel. Piloted Internet Certified Trainers Program and served on LCS Technology Leadership Team for past 10 years.

    Accomplishments include: LCS Middle School Teacher of the Year, VCTM Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year, BRCTM Teacher of the Year, Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Teaching for the State of VA, twice named LCS Teacher of the Year, GTE GIFT Fellowship winner, VQuest Lead Teacher, VA Region V Teacher of the Year, American Association of University Women Educator of the Year, six time winner of Lynchburg Education Foundation Grants, Best Buy Te@ch Award, Michael Jordan Foundation Grant, and Discovery STAR Educator


    Craig Spraggins

    Craig Spraggins is a Senior Instructional Technology Coordinator for teachers and students alike in Arlington County Public Schools where he develops, plans, and implements the effective use of instructional technology in the 21st century classroom. He is the 2010 – 2011 E-Scale Support Staff Employee of the Year for Arlington Public Schools where he’s been dedicated in providing exemplary service for all those who he works with. In his spare time, Craig coaches rowing for the Walt Whitman Rowing Team in Bethesda, Maryland. There, he is charged with the responsibility of teaching novice women the art of rowing. Serving as a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Craig enjoys the community service projects that his chapter performs on a regular basis. Craig is a devoted husband and father of two daughters of whom he cherishes greatly. Lastly, Craig looks forward in embracing his expanded role for the Virginia Society for Technology in Education conference.




    Peggy Powell

    I've been involved with VSTE for 30 years serving on the Conference Committee. I retired in 2006 after 35 years with the University of Virginia as an Administrative Assistant at the Curry School of Education. For the past 4 years I have been serving on ISTE"s Conference Committee as part of the Volunteers Coordination area.



    Tim Owens

    Tim Owens is an instructional technology specialist working in the Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies at the University of Mary Washington. This is his second year working on the conference committee. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors for the past 2 years and has attended VSTE as a member for 5 years now. Before joining DTLT, Tim worked as a computer technician for 5 years at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. When he's not playing with technology he spends time at home in Fredericksburg with his wife and 2 year old daughter.



    Tracy Volz (chair)

    Tracy is currently a Math Specialist for Mayfield Intermediate School in Manassas, VA. She has been in education for the last 26 years and has held a variety of positions - middle grades (5th -7th) teacher, Instructional Technology Training Specialist, as well as Instructional Technology Resource Teacher.

    She holds both B.A. and M.A. degrees in Education from Virginia Tech and has also received a Certificate in Technology Integration in Schools from George Mason University. She has taught graduate courses for George Mason University in the areas of Technology Integration and Mathematics Instruction.

    Tracy has been involved with VSTE since 1999, starting out as a volunteer and then joining the Conference Committee in 2002.
    She has worked in Support, Presentations, as well as Volunteers and Onsite Registration.

    Tracy is a Discovery Star Educator. She has participated in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Master Teacher Program, and was named Manassas City Outstanding Technologist in 1999 and Manassas City Teacher of the Year in 2008.

    Sharon Cox-Ponder

    I recently retired from Chesterfield County Public Schools where I worked the last eleven years as a Technology Integrator, training teachers, students, administrators and staff. I also worked with students assisting classroom teachers incorporate technology into the curriculum. I was a Speech Language Pathologist for eleven years in several elementary schools in Chesterfield County. I have attended many VSTE conferences and joined the conference committee in 2009.

    I am currently working at Pamplin Historical Park as an educator and conducting tours for school groups.

    Ruth Dixon

    Ruth has been a Network Administrator in Manassas City for fourteen years, working at the elementary and intermediate levels. She currently works at Mayfield Intermediate School where she has been for the past six years. Ruth is a one-stop shop. She is responsible for maintaining the wired and wireless networks, fixing classroom and administrative hardware and software problems, as well as the installation and reimaging of equipment. She has served on both the school and district technology committees. Ruth has been a member of the VSTE organization since 2007, attending conferences, and volunteering. She is excited to be joining the VSTE Conference Committee.

    Gina Powell

    Gina has been an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher in Essex County Public Schools for the past 2 years. Library Media Specialist for 10 years at Tappahannock Elementary School and in Newport News Public Schools. She was previously a Reading Specialist and English Teacher in Hampton, VA and New York City.

    Gina is a National Board Certified Teacher and was the York Regional Library Media Specialist of the Year in 2006. She has served on the Scholastic Publishing Library Advisory Council and the Gareth Stevens Publishing Council. She was a Book Reviewer for School Library Journal Magazine and published a lesson plan in School Library Media Activities Monthly. She was a recipient for the National Endowment for the Humanities We the People Bookshelf grant, has been recognized in the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers for two consecutive years and she is also a Discovery STAR Educator.



    Karen Busher (chair)

    Job: Gifted Specialist, Botetourt County Public Schools
    Bio: Born in Hempstead, NY
    Married to John Busher and have 2 children
    Education: B.S. James Madison University, M.Ed. University of Virginia, Ed. S. Virginia Tech
    Teaching experience: (25 years) Physical Education K-3 Madison County/Albemarle County, 3rd Grade Teacher Albemarle County, Physical Education/Health 6-8 Franklin County,ITRT Franklin County, Gifted Specialist Botetourt County, Coordinator, Instructional Technology Teacher Learning Lab at Ferrum College
    VSTE member since approx. 1998 and a volunteering since the days of VSTE in Crystal City
    Dream Job: Philanthropist
    Book I am currently reading: Look Me in the Eyes, John Elder Robison
    Favorite Weekend Activity: Visiting Virginia wineries
    Bucket List Item I'd Like to Accomplish Next: See the Monarch Migration in Mexico
    Computer Preference: Mac or PC as long as it works and the connectivity is fast

    Tim Harazin

    Current Job: Elementary Science Specialist with Fairfax County Public Schools (2003-present).
    Past Experience: Elementary Science Teacher and Middle School Science Teacher (1986-1993); School-Based
    Technology Specialist (1993-2001); Videoconference Coordinator (2001-2003).
    Education: B.S. in Elementary Education, Illinois State Univ.; M. in Science Education, Johns Hopkins Univ.
    VSTE Experience: conference attendee since 1995; conference committee member since 2001
    Personal: Born and raised in Western Springs, a suburb of Chicago, IL.
    Married to Diane (19 years) with two children, Jen (18) and Mike (13).
    Favorites:
    Movie—It’s A Wonderful Life; Book Genre—science fiction; Music—80’s; Game—poker;
    Drink—Coke (or Newcastle beer); Food—Chicago deep dish pizza (Giordano’s).

    Joe Harden

    Current Position: Principal – Botetourt Technical Education Center
    Born in Charlottesville, VA; Raised in Staunton, VA; Live in Franklin Co.; Work in Botetourt Co.
    Married to Laura Harden, a first grade teacher in Franklin County and have two daughters, one son, a daughter-in-law, two Golden Retrievers and a cat
    Education: A.A.S. Mental Health Technology, Blue Ridge Community College; B.S.W. Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University; M.S. Special Education, Radford University; Postgraduate work Administration and Supervision of Instruction, Radford University
    Work Experience: Counselor and Social Worker in the mental health field (7 years); Special Education teacher for Roanoke City and Roanoke County (7 years); Educational Administrative experience in many areas including elementary principal, high school assistant and principal and central office coordinator, supervisor, and director in Craig County, Franklin County and Botetourt County (24 years)
    VSTE: Attending conferences since Virginia Educational Computing Association days with regional conferences at Patrick Henry High School and if memory serves me, what may have been the first state conference held in the basement of either Hotel Roanoke or the Patrick Henry Hotel in Roanoke. Served on conference committee since 2006.
    First computer used in my classroom: Vic 20
    Interests and obsessions: Whitewater canoeing, playing the banjo, Old time music and its connection to Celtic music
    Future Goal: To retire and sit on my front porch, all day playing music, with my dogs lying by my side



    Heather Hurley (chair)

    Heather Hurley is the Instructional Technology Coordinator at Arlington Traditional and Glebe School in Arlington, VA. She has been in education for 20 years and is a former elementary, middle school teacher and director of professional development. Heather is certified in elementary, special education, instructional technology, administration and supervision. This is Heather's first year as the VSTE presentation chair.

    Professionally, Heather is involved in many different organizations. She is a SMART Exemplary Educator, STAR Discovery Educator and a Rising STAR Mentor for Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council. She also writes web reviews, moderates and conducts online webinars for TeachersFirst. In her free time she mentors young girls, is active in her church, loves to cook and is an avid crafter.

    Sharon McGlone

    Sharon has worked for Norfolk Public Schools since 2007, as an ITRT and a District Instructional Technology Specialist. As a military spouse, Sharon has taught in several school districts, from New Jersey to Alabama. For ten years as an educator with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Sharon was recognized with several “Apple” awards for outstanding educator.

    Sharon has been on the VSTE Conference Committee for 4 years. Her “can do” attitude makes her a hard working member of the presentation committee. Sharon has presented and volunteered at ISTE (Washington, DC, 2009); VEMA (2010, 2011), ETLC (2008, 2009) and NCETC (1999, 2000). She is a SMART certified Trainer and attended the James Madison University Cyber City Summer Program.

    Sharon graduated from ODU with a Bachelors of Science and UNCC with a Master of Education. Sharon’s endorsements from NC and Virginia include Curriculum Instructional Specialist, Computer Education and Special Education- Learning Disability.

    Sharon and her husband, Craig met at Old Dominion University and are avid Monarch fans. They have four adult children and 2 beautiful granddaughters.

    Kelly Miller

    I began my teaching career in Virginia Beach as an elementary school librarian and eventually transitioned to middle school. As a librarian, I used every opportunity to integrate technology into my lessons and saw the effect it had on student achievement. This past school year, I become a computer resource specialist at a Virginia Beach high school. In my current position, one of the biggest challenges is to ensure that our students, many of whom do not have access to technology outside of school, develop the 21st century skills they need in order to compete in the global economy of their future.

    Heather Causey

    Heather Causey M.Ed. works as an ITRT for Hanover County Schools and also as an adjunct online professor for VCU. She is a Google Certified teacher who has served education for 22 years. She is known for her high energy and passion for emerging technologies and all things Edtech.




    Laura Briggs (chair)

    Laura Briggs is a Technology Resource Teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools. Being dedicated to enthusiastic and dynamic education as a means of creating and nurturing a lifelong love of learning for students and teachers is her mission.

    She has been a long time VSTE member and presenter, serves on the VSTE Conference Committee and is a VSTE Board Director. She served as the Chairperson of the VSTE Board of Directors, and is also serves as a VSTE Island Facilitator in Second Life. She has also serves as a VSTE webinar moderator and presenter. Laura has served as the VSTE Board Membership Committee Chair and is the VSTE Board Education Committee chairperson. Laura has worked as the VSTE/VA NECC09 ITRT Pavilion Team Coordinator and serves on the ISTE Mobile Learning SIG Steering Committee, and also serves on many Loudoun County Leadership Committees: TRT Advisory Leadership Committee, TRT Advisory Chairperson, Hardware Review Committee, Software Review Committee, and Communications and Web 2.0 Committees.
    She serves as a North Tier Consortium ETLO Online Course Facilitator and Designer, PBS Teacherline Online Course Facilitator, Course Instructor/Designer for George Mason University, and Course Instructor University of Virginia. She also serves on the VDOE RTI Pilot Leadership Team and LCPS RTI Leadership Team and leads several iPad User Groups. Laura has presented on various technology integration topics at State and National Conferences including VSTE, ISTE, VASSL, VCTM, and ETLC.

    In addition to collaborating to create fun VSTE events, she enjoys photography, gardening, and traveling.


    A. Ruth Okoye

    A. Ruth Okoye has been an educator for 20 years. For the last 8 years, she has been a Technology Resource Teacher for Portsmouth Public Schools. Currently, she leads the school division’s social media initiatives and Augmented Reality pilots. Prior to working in Instructional Technology, Ruth was a Reading Specialist and Educational Therapist.

    Ruth brings a number of professional experiences with her. She is PBworks certified and a Discovery STAR Educator. She has worked with the Virginia State Reading Association to plan a Technology & Reading strand at their annual conference for the last five years. As a member of the VSRA Governing council, she represents the organization for the VDOE VETAC committee. Ruth has presented regionally and nationally on instructional technology and edTech coaching at various conferences including VSRA, VSTE, and ISTE. She also coordinates Portsmouth’s annual instructional technology academy for public and private school teachers.

    When she is not immersed in an EdTech project, Ruth loves to bake, create rubber stamped cards, and read dystopian novels.




    Wanda Parker (chair)

    Micro-Computer Repair Technician (Lead Tech.) for Richmond City Public Schools in Richmond, VA where she supports technology within the classroom as well as administrative offices. With over 25 years in Information Technology in the K-12 environment she has proven herself dedicated to the mission of supporting emerging technologies. She serves on a team of lead technicians completing a number of special projects including SOL preparation, Thin-Client Implentation, Windows 7 and district-wide Active Directory.

    A proud member of VSTE for over 15 years serving on the Equipment and Networking Committee and recently serving as Chairperson, she continues to demonstrate her commitment of helping people in the area of technology support. Certifications include; Apple, Dell and Novell.

    Wanda enjoys community service projects supporting day care centers, and other various organizations in the areas of network, website and computer support. She serves as a youth mentor, youth scholarship and dance chairperson as well as vice president of finance at BRBC. Her philosophy is to educate while responding to computer needs, empowering budding technology enthusiasts... Favorite quote, “Each one teach one”

    Peter Martin

    Sean Campbell

    Tracey Coles

    I have been employed with Richmond City Public Schools for nine years. I was a Career and Technical Education teacher for the first three years before becoming an ITRT. I was an Elementary and Middle School ITRT for five years before transferring to High School this year. I have been a technology instructor for the Upward Bound program at Virginia Union University for the past two years. I am a graduate of Central High School which is part of Lunenburg County Public Schools. I joined the military while in high school and I am a 23 year veteran of the Virginia National Guard. I attended Southside Virginia Community College where I received an AAS degree in Business Administration. From there I attended Virginia Commonwealth University where I received a BS degree in Accounting. Then I attended Averett University where I received a MBA in Business Management. I currently hold a Post Graduate Professional Certificate from Virginia Commonwealth University with an endorsement in Technology Education and I am a certified SMART Notebook 10 Software Trainer. I have a passion for technology, education, and my students and colleagues; therefore, I am ecstatic about being a part of VSTE’s Equipment and Networking Committee.

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  • About VSTE

     

    VSTE is the premier professional development and advocacy organization for educators in Virginia. The Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) was founded in 1986 as the Virginia Educational Computing Association and is Virginia’s affiliate of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

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