Overview

The Center for Digital Education (CDE) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA) are excited to introduce the second annual Innovative Technology Integration Award for School Districts and The LEADER Award! The Innovative Technology award celebrates districts that are leading the way in transforming education through technology. It provides school leaders the opportunity to showcase innovative practices, share successes, and gain national recognition for their district’s commitment to advancing student learning through effective technology integration. The LEADER award highlights exceptional district leaders who champion innovation, foster collaboration, leverage data and digital tools, and build sustainable, scalable models that can inspire other districts.

Join us for the award program kickoff webinar, where we will walk you through the application process, highlight what’s new this year, and share strategies for putting together a strong submission. Past winners and education leaders will also join to discuss how recognition has supported their districts, offering tips and best practices for success.

During this session, we will cover:

Award categories and judging criteria
How to complete and submit your application
Key deadlines and recognition opportunities for winners
Live Q&A with presenters

Speakers

Brian Cohen

Vice President, Center for Digital Education

Brian Cohen is the Vice President of the Center for Digital Government and Center Digital Education. Prior to joining the Center, Brian served for 30 years in IT leadership roles with the City of New York and most recently with the City University of New York (CUNY). As the Vice-Chancellor and University CIO at CUNY, Brian directed the Office of Computing and Information Services (CIS), developed, and managed the enterprise IT vision, strategy and day-to-day technology operations of the University. His areas of focus included academic and business systems, cloud strategies, IT policies and procedures, Cybersecurity, project management, IT resiliency and disaster recovery, and network and telecommunications. During his time with the City of New York, Brian developed the City of New York’s E-Government strategy, implemented the City’s award-winning nyc.gov website, and managed the City’s effort to address the Y2K technology challenge.

Rachel Eckert

Director of Market Intelligence, e.Republic

Rachel Eckert is the Research Director for the Center for Digital Government, a division of e.Republic. She is responsible for the Custom Research team and comes with over 15 years of experience conducting research and market intelligence on the public-sector market. She has helped a variety of technology and services firms understand what's driving technology and procurement in the market and how to target their business development efforts more effectively. Rachel graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business.

Kris Hagel

Executive Director of Digital Learning, Peninsula School District, WA

A veteran K-12 education technology leader with over 25 years of experience, Kris Hagel serves as CIO of Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, WA, overseeing IT, communications, and school safety. He specializes in architecting technology solutions that support Universal Design for Learning and align with pedagogical best practices. As a recognized thought leader in Generative AI for education, he frequently speaks on its applications in K-12 settings. His focus is on leveraging emerging technologies to create inclusive learning environments while guiding strategic digital transformation in schools.

Chris Turner

Chief Information Officer, Washoe County School District, NV

Dr. Chris Turner is a 31-year educator, currently serving as Chief Information Officer for the Washoe County School District. His career reflects a deep commitment to student success, faculty innovation, and institutional improvement, particularly for administrative operations. Chris has been actively engaged in addressing systemic information technology challenges, with his work highlighting a proactive approach to navigating disruptions in educational services, emphasizing resourcefulness, and dedication to supporting teachers, students, and families amid evolving resource landscapes.

Webinar

Announcing the Innovative Technology Integrations Awards!