Sheila Bowman, Weld RE4 School District – President
Sheila serves as a district-level Instructional Technology Specialist at the Weld RE-4 School District in Windsor, Colorado. After several years of elementary classroom experience, the draw to harness the power of technology and design thinking to engage and inspire students led her to seek a position where she champions educator excellence and creativity and empowered learning for students. Sheila holds a B.S. in Human Development/Family Studies, a minor in Early Childhood Education, and a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
Sheila has presented at ISTE, InnEdCO and Colorado Association of Libraries around Professional Development, Visionary Leadership, and Instructional Technology Pedagogy, and serves as a guest lecturer for pre-service teacher courses at the University of Northern Colorado. Sheila’s focus is on supporting educators and Learning Coaches, and developing fresh and relevant professional growth experiences for educators, administrators and their students at Weld RE-4. She is a happy wife and proud mom of three amazing young adults, and enjoys long walks and hikes, sunset paddleboarding and an occasional lazy day on any beach.
Email: sbowman@innedco.org. Follow on Twitter: @techimomma
Brandon Petersen, Cherry Creek School District – Vice President
Brandon is an admitted geek, pop culture junkie, and fan of learning all things techie. When Brandon gets the time he loves to see new movies, hang with friends, learn new things from colleagues, swim, and play games. Brandon currently serves as a Third Grade Teacher at Altitude Elementary for the Cherry Creek School District.
Brandon, as well, is co-founder, with Penny Potts, of #COllapporative – an educational network which provides free, year-round professional development opportunities focused on best practices for integrating digital tools into classrooms. Brandon has worked as a Learning Consultant for Microsoft in Education, a Field Support Specialist for Denver Public Schools, and a Teacher and Course Developer for Douglas County School District.
Over the past year, Brandon has developed a huge appreciation for Computer Science and the power it plays in a lot of jobs in our world. Brandon enjoys exploring that world and figuring out how to best prepare everyone for the skills needed to fill careers within Computer Science.
Email: bpetersen@innedco.org. Follow on Twitter: @denpetersen
Mia Williams, Program Coordinator, Learning Design and Technology at the Univeristy of Wyoming – Treasurer
Listed as one of the nation’s 50 top technologists, transformers, and trailblazers, Mia has served as secretary on the ISTE Board and has coordinated the University of Northern Colorado’s (UNCO) Educational Technology and Technology, Innovation and Pedagogy programs for the past 4 years, and also coordinated its EdD in Educational Studies program.
Mia looks forward to building partnerships between InnEdCO and higher education institutions throughout the state with the goals of disseminating and inspiring innovative practices, engaging in-service and pre-service teachers, and creating year-round learning opportunities for Colorado’s education community.
Email: mwilliams@innedco.org. Follow on Twitter: @mktechteach
Liz Walhof, Academy School District #20 –
Secretary
Liz comes to the InnEdCO board with a background as a secondary teacher, ed tech specialist, professional developer, director of IT and PD, and now as an Assistant Principal at Air Academy High School in Academy School District 20 (Colorado Springs). An 20-year veteran of public education, Liz has also presented across the country on using innovative technology tools to encourage students and staff to passionately engage in lifelong learning.
Liz is a member of the Colorado Association of Leaders in Educational Technology (CALET), the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).
Email: ewalhof@innedco.org. Follow on Twitter: @ejwalhof
Linda Horne, Tech Coach D27-J (Brighton) – Board Member
Linda has a passion for helping and supporting teachers. She is currently a Digital Learning Coach for the Brighton 27J school district. She serves two schools, Overland Trail Middle School and Brighton High School. As a Digital Learning Coach, she works with the teachers to help create digital learning experiences that engage students as well as provides PD for the teachers both in her schools and across the district. Linda has held many different positions in her 15 years in education including elementary teacher, middle school science and technology teacher, Professional Development Coach, ELD Coordinator, GT Coordinator, and Director of Educational Technology. She is a Google for Education Certified Trainer, Raspberry Pi certified, a Pear Deck coach, and was part of the first cohort to become ISTE certified educators. This will be her fourth year on the InnEdCO Board of Directors. She has also served on the executive board for the ISTE Digital Storytelling Network, and was a facilitator for the Code.org Discoveries program. Linda loves to learn new things and share her learning with others.
Email: lhorne@innedco.org. Follow on Twitter: @lindaphorne
Christine Funk, Douglas County Schools- Board Member
After teaching high-school kids science for 20+ years, Chris moved to a district level position working with teachers to develop a broader understanding of high-quality assessment practices before settling in as an administrator at a middle school in Douglas County Schools. Throughout this time, technology integration and innovative practices have been integral to her classroom, engaging learners on a personal level and connecting learning in new ways. In 2005, Chris earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. She has presented at a variety of conferences, locally and nationally, on technology, science, and assessment.
Chris loves “living on the farm” with her family, 3 pups, 2 llamas, and assorted chickens, rabbits, and deer. She has fun visiting new places, is an avid reader, and enjoys spending time in the mountains and under the Colorado sun. She is looking forward to learning and growing as a member of the InnEdCO Board.
Email: cfunk@innedco.org. Follow on Twitter: @cmfunk
Mattea Garcia, Schoology Product Manager for Denver Public Schools – Board Member
Driven by the pursuit of educational equity, Mattea began her education career as a math teacher, graduating from Michigan State University after a student teaching internship in Chicago Public Schools. After moving to the Denver area, she has taught math at various grade levels, from 8th grade math to AP Calculus. While teaching, she discovered her passion for leveraging technology to enhance student learning and promote equitable outcomes, especially for students from traditionally underserved populations.
In 2015, she obtained her Master’s Degree in K-12 Instructional Technology, receiving the Outstanding Graduate Award. Mattea has also spent much of her career supporting professional learning and technology-enhanced instruction. In her current role, Mattea serves as a Schoology Product Manager for Denver Public Schools, ensuring schools have supportive systems that accelerate innovation and provide meaningful communication and collaboration opportunities across school communities. In addition to her work in DPS, she assists with courses at the University of Colorado Denver focused on instructional design and digital teaching and learning.
Email: mgarcia@innedco.org. Follow on Twitter: @MatteaGarcia
Jennifer Frost, Executive Assistant for the InnEdCO Board of Directors
Jennifer Frost is one of the newest additions to the InnEdCO team and is excited about her new role as Executive Assistant. Prior to her role with InnEdCO, she was the Athletics Secretary/Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director at Castle View High School for 6 years.
A Colorado native, Jennifer was born in La Junta, CO and attended Rocky Ford High School home of the Meloneers! After high school Jennifer obtained her Business Administration degree through Adams State University while managing a Verizon Wireless retail store. In her free time Jennifer enjoys baking and family time with her three young children and husband.
Email: jfrost@innedco.org.
