NCCE recently elected two new board members, Rena Clark, and Diane Marsh. Both bring a wealth of knowledge to our board and we wanted to provide an opportunity for the entire NCCE community to get to know Rena and Diane a bit more. Help us welcome Rena and Diane to the NCCE board!
Rena Clark
Rena, what is something you are looking forward to being on the NCCE Board?
I am looking forward to helping and supporting NCCE to enact its vision of leading, engaging, and assisting educational communities to reach higher levels of student and educator success through the use of 21st century technology. I am also looking forward to my own continued growth and development as I learn with and from all of the amazing people that are part of NCCE.
What is something memorable about attending NCCE 2023 in Tacoma?
I always enjoy the 30 in 50. This year in particular I really enjoyed learning more about how AI can be used by teachers and students to increase learning. I appreciated how AI can push on students creativity and assist them in being producers rather than just consumers.
What are some books that you are currently reading?
For educational knowledge I recently finished “Stuck Improving: Racial Equity and School Leadership” by Decoteau J. Irby, “The PD Book” by Elena Aguilar & Lori Cohen, and “Street Data” by Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan
This summer I plan to read Christopher Emdin’s “STEM, STEAM, Make, Dream: Reimaging the Culture of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.”
For pleasure I just finished “Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld and I just started listening to “Outlawed” by Anna North.
My favorite for pleasure book I have read this year is “The Measure” by Niki Erlick.
What are some podcasts that you are currently listening to right now?
I listen to my own podcast, “Unpacking Education”, which releases new full episode’s every Wednesday.
Sample: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/embracing-your-holiday-break/id1528044370?i=1000545748469
I also listen to “Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators”, “The Bright Morning Podcast”, “The Assistant Principal Podcast”, and for fun I love listening to “Outlander Cast: The Outlander Podcast With Mary & Blake”.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Pizza, especially pizza my husband and I make with our outdoor pizza oven. My favorite toppings are goat cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and blueberries!
Have you tried something new in the last 12 months?
I started taking tap lessons again as an adult. I just performed in my first Dance Recital in many many years.
Would you please list a favorite quote?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”
Maya Angelou
“Be Curious, not judgmental.”
Ted Lasso
Diane Marsh
Diane, what is something you are looking forward to being on the NCCE Board?
I am looking forward to working with an extremely talented group of educators who truly care about the future of education. With the advancement of AI, it is so much more important to be involved with technology integration into the classroom.
What is something memorable about attending NCCE 2023 in Tacoma?
While attending NCCE 2023 in Tacoma, a colleague and I came up with a flex period to accommodate seniors who needed a more flexible schedule. This idea grew from several classes we attended at the conference. The flex schedule is being implemented next year and this opportunity for students would not have existed without what we learned through NCCE.
What are some books that you are currently reading?
Educator Guide to Using ChatGPT and Student Guide to Using ChatGPt by Jon Fila, I am following him on Twitter and LinkedIn.
The Boys from Biloxi: A Legal Thriller by John Grisham, simply because I use to live in Biloxi.
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover, part of a book group I do every summer to stay connected to colleagues.
What are some podcasts that you are currently listening to right now?
Shake Up Learning with Kasey Bell
What is your favorite comfort food?
Anything Mexican and Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
Have you tried something new in the last 12 months? IF yes, please list.
I started teaching Cybersecurity online. I have learned so much and as a result I use a Secure VPN on all my devices, all of my Google and Microsoft accounts have a two-step authentication, and I don’t use public wifi.
I am also starting two new classes in the fall and have been learning and writing curriculum for those classes: Marketing Fundamentals and Social Media Marketing.
Learning how to Paddleboard, but I fall all the time. I think I am going to stick with kayaking.
Would you please list a favorite quote?
Technology is awesome. Teachers are better.
~ Weston Kieschnick