During the months of March and April, SVRTC divisions were invited to participate in strategic planning sessions for their division regarding their school technology. Since the increase of devices in divisions and many 1:1 computing environments, there is a need to strategically address sustaining the model (e.g., device collection, break/fix, infrastructure, security, budgeting, etc.). The workshop series was attended by participants from 13 SVRTC school divisions (Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Danville, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Petersburg, Pittsylvania, and Sussex).
Dr. Tara Nattrass, currently serving as Senior Education Strategist at Dell Technologies, led the two planning sessions through various activities to help eliminate opportunity gaps and ensure engaged, meaningful, healthy, safe, and supportive digital learning environments. In the first session (March, 2, 2023), participants worked with their colleagues to identify their desired vision for technology and assess the reality of current technologies in divisions. Teams from divisions were challenged with creating action steps with metrics and implementation plans.
In the second session (April 26, 2023), teams from divisions returned to participate in activities and reflections with the leadership of Dr. Nattrass. This session focused on developing or refining an implementation plan that focused on the sustainability of these 1:1 computing environments. The session also addressed the impacts of computing in regard to digital acceleration (e.g., ‘going viral’) and workforce trends. Dr. Nattrass also facilitated a Q&A session with Timothy Ampy, Director of Technology, Dinwiddie County Public Schools (the recipient of the SVRTC Division Leadership 2022-2023 award). This provided an opportunity for additional discourse around the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of 1:1 implementations, which fostered the final activities on implementation plans that included areas of focus (device management, teaching and learning, etc.).
Dr. Nattrass’ presentations and work sessions in strategic planning were also supported by Dr. Susan Clair, Learning Infrastructure Coordinator – Virginia Department of Education, who also attend both work sessions and participated in the presentations and activities. Drs. Nattrass and Clair will continue to be an asset to SVRTC divisions as strategic planning is put in place and implemented for the increased number of devices in our divisions due to pandemic funding.