Robert Allen is the technology TOSA in Carlsbad Unified School District this year. He taught middle school for seven years, during which time he began a Masters in Instructional Technology and used his classroom as the petri dish for ed tech. His grand vision for tech in the district is to empower teachers and students to develop a fluency with tech to the degree that they can pursue more personalized learning modalities in their daily work.

Estephany Conlon has been a teacher and assistant principal in the Sweetwater Union High School District for over 10 years. She taught middle school English for six years and served as a district-wide academic support teacher for three years. She is currently the assistant principal at EastLake Middle School. Estephany’s work as a resource teacher included both curriculum development and coaching teachers in the classroom. Her role in the district’s iPad Technology Initiative allowed her to collaborate with teachers and administrators on effective practices for technology integration, as well as train hundreds of teachers on the use of iPads and adopted programs. She is also an Apple Certified iPad Trainer. As an assistant principal, she has effectively implemented the use of technology at her site, which has over 1,700 students. This job included providing classes and resources for students, parents and classroom teachers.

Assistant Superintendent, Integrated Technology Services, San Diego County Office of Education

Karen Connaghan is a K-12 educator with 28 years of experience. She has served 16 years as a teacher and 12 years as a technology leader in both Pennsylvania and California. Beginning her career in Pennsylvania, Karen taught multiple subjects at elementary and secondary levels. Beyond teaching, Karen served as technology instructional specialist at Cornwall-Lebanon School District, technology coordinator at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, director of technology at Kutztown Area School District and currently as the assistant superintendent of Integrated Technology Services at the San Diego County Office of Education. In her role as director of technology at Kutztown Area School District, Karen had oversight of one of the first (2004) 1:1 high school laptop programs in Pennsylvania and participated in Pennsylvania’s Classrooms For the Future initiative. In the area of innovation, Karen has conducted research on innovation and entrepreneurship in education as part of her doctorate dissertation.

Reuben Hoffman is a digital learning coach for the Grossmont Union High School District. He is recognized as WeVideo Ambassador, CUE Rock Star Teacher, Google for Education Certified Trainer and Google Certified Innovator. Reuben is also the vice president of San Diego CUE (SDCUE), where he helps organize the annual SDCUE Tech Fair. More information about Reuben can be found at reubenhoffman.com.

Daniel Winters has been an educator for 29 years, beginning his career at Castle Park High School where he served for 17 years as an English teacher, attendance coordinator and assistant principal. He served as principal of Halecrest and Salt Creek Elementary in the Chula Vista Elementary School District and opened Camarena Elementary in 2013, the largest school opening (940 students) in Chula Vista Elementary’s history. He currently serves as the director of research and evaluation and educational technology for the Sweetwater Union High School District.