Brandon Petersen – Cherry Creek School District – InnEdCO Board 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. Follow on Twitter: @denpetersen
Linda Horne – Tech Coach D27-J (Brighton) – InnEdCO Board Vice President
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. Follow on Twitter: @lindaphorne
Kay Davidson – Chemistry Teacher & 1:WEB TOSA at Broomfield High School – InnEdCO Board Co-Secretary
Kay is currently a chemistry teacher and 1:WEB TOSA at Broomfield High School. She also works as a cross country coach at the high school.One of her proudest accomplishments at Broomfield High School was setting up a Genius Bar made up of a dedicated student-run tech team who repair school-issued Chromebooks, assist teachers with technology questions, and support classmates with technical issues. She is responsible for Chromebook distribution and management in addition to being a science and technology nerd.
A transplant from Chicago, Kay lives in downtown Denver with her husband, Jim, who is also a teacher and soccer coach at Broomfield. She is also a dog mom to Dodger and Marty. Kay is an avid marathon runner having completed the Boston, Chicago and New York marathons to name a few. Follow on Twitter @kpmdavidson
Tara Laughlin – Education Designer, Micro Credentialing at Education Design Lab – InnEdCO Board Co-Secretary
Tara Laughlin is a mom, educator, dog lover, live music enthusiast, road tripper, and craft beer connoisseur. She currently serves as Education Designer, Micro Credentialing at Education Design Lab. Prior to joining the Lab, Tara was the Competency-Based Learning Specialist at Denver Public Schools, as well as the Director of Curriculum and Training for a Denver startup, PAIRIN, developing personalized, competency-based curriculum and professional development focused on social-emotional and soft skills. Tara also spent a decade as an educator and teacher leader for school districts in Colorado and South Carolina. In 2014, Tara earned an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Innovation, during which she researched and developed an instructional framework for the systematic integration of essential soft skills into the K12 classroom. Tara’s educational passion centers around helping youth and adults develop the skills needed to thrive in the future of education and work. Follow on Twitter @DrTaraLaughlin
Sarah Weeks – Impact and Education Director for OtterCares Foundation – InnEdCO Board Treasurer
Sarah S. Weeks is a lifelong learner and advocate for reimagining education systems. Her most recent public school teaching experience was eight years as the K-5 Media Technology and STEM specialist at Lopez Elementary in Poudre School District. She currently spearheads philanthropic and entrepreneurial education programs as the Impact and Education Director for OtterCares Foundation. A professionally licensed Colorado teacher, Sarah is passionate about coaching and collaborating with teachers, parents, industry leaders and nonprofit partners to identify ways of bringing innovative education to life, with the goal of preparing students for our ever changing workforce needs and instilling within them a desire to create value for our world.Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Computer Information Systems from the Indiana Kelley School of Business. After a brief stint as a consultant and software trainer in Chicago, she earned a Master of Science in Elementary Education from the Indiana University School of Education before moving to Colorado 15 years ago. Since then she’s been a classroom teacher, horsemanship program director, outdoor education facilitator, teen programs director, PSIA kids ski instructor, and now a professional philanthropist and edtech advocate. Although, she’ll tell you her favorite role is that of “Aunt Sarah” to her nephews and niece! In her home life, Sarah has a home with her husband, dogs and chickens, where they garden, read, practice yoga and enjoy outdoor activities in the foothills of Northwest Fort Collins. Follow on Twitter @sarahs_weeks
Katie Gambardella – 3rd Grade Teacher, Ryan Elementary STEAM School in Lafayette – InnEdCO Board Member
Katie Gambardella is a creative sherpa and an innovative technologist who strives to make the world of education better. Katie is an elementary teacher who is passionate about creating sustainable systems that allow for increased student outcomes. Katie focuses on inquiry based learning infused with authentic and meaningful learning opportunities for students to discover and nourish their passions. She strives to move education forward and reimagine learning environments for students and teachers. Katie was the 2017 ISTE Making IT Happen award winner for the state of Colorado. She is Google Level 1 and Level 2 certified educator and has been a SMART Exemplary Educator. Katie has been a mentor for teachers in inquiry based learning, Project Based Learning and effective technology integration and has presented at ISTE and InnEdCO. Katie is currently a 4th grade teacher at Ryan Elementary STEAM School in Lafayette. She has taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th grades in various school districts in Colorado. She has a MA from the University of Colorado Denver in Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies. In all her free time she enjoys paddleboarding, playing golf, traveling, hiking with her Golden Retriever Huckleberry, and visiting MLB parks around the country. Follow on Twitter @kgambie
Jennifer Frost – Executive Assistant for the InnEdCO Board of Directors
Jennifer Frost is the first and only employee of InnEdCO and is excited about her 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
Edwige Simon – Online Learning and Instructional Technology Director at the International Center for Language Studies, Washington DC – InnEdCO Board Member
Edwige is a mother, pioneer educator, avid gardener, and creative writer. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder (2012). Her research interests focus on teacher professional development and the preparation of educators to teach online. She worked at the University of Colorado, Boulder for 15 years, where she founded and ran a fully online professional development program for teachers on teaching with technology. In 2020, she took a position as Online Learning and Instructional Technology Director at the International Center for Language Studies located in Washington DC.Edwige served as the 2013-2015 Programs Director of the International Association for Language Learning Technology. She is the founding editor of the FLTMAG , a magazine dedicated to technology integration in the foreign language classroom. She is the 2019 recipient of the ACTFL/Cengage Learning Awards for Excellence in the Integration and Use of Technology in World Language Instruction at the Post-Secondary Level. Originally from France, Edwige moved around the country before settling in Colorado, where she lives with her husband and three children. When not working, you will find her reading, writing, or tirelessly pulling weeds in her garden.
Darrell Hopson – High School Social Studies Teacher, Denver Public School District – InnEdCO Board Member
Darrell is a fierce defender of young people and their fundamental right to access a quality education. Born and raised in the St. Louis metro area, it was his experience observing the discrepancies between students from different neighborhoods that incited a desire to transform education. Something as critical as a student’s future prospects, sense of self-worth, and access to meaningful opportunities could not hinge on area codes or be left to the bureaucratic musings of people in fancy suites.It is this belief that informs his core practices as an educator. A proud high school social studies teacher in Denver Public schools, everything Darrell does centers on empowering young people to harness their voices in service of themselves and the communities that support them. In doing so, students become active sculptures of their future and steer us closer to realizing what should be obvious: education should be done with students, not to them.
Tari Gant – Professional Learning and Technology Support Specialist at eDCSD Online – InnEdCO Board Member
Tari is a full-time learner and part-time wizard (at least in her mind), and a certified shopaholic. In her free time, Tari enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, her dog Cherry, exploring new restaurants, and all things related to Harry Potter! Currently, Tari serves as the Professional Learning and Technology Support Specialist at eDCSD Online in Douglas County.Tari hails from Houston, TX where she taught 10th and 12th grade English and also served as an Elementary School Librarian. Tari is passionate about Future Ready learning and preparing students for what will be as well as coaching/mentoring teachers to embrace the new innovative technology tools that will enhance student learning. Tari holds an MLS in Library Science from the University of North Texas and a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner)! She believes that literacy opens every door and she advocates for the voices of ALL to be heard to inspire others to live their most authentic lives! Tari believes that “The work will show you how to do it” and that Magic is REAL!!!
Kristin Kinner – Primary School Teacher, Douglas County School District – InnEdCO Board Member
Kristin Kinner is a first grade teacher who loves to create, build, and learn new things with her students. Her innovative classroom focuses on personalizing learning for students, incorporates design challenges, and builds on community. She has been teaching young learners for over 25 years.Kristin is a native New Yorker who moved to Colorado with her husband over 20 years ago. She is a mom to two daughters and a mini goldendoodle. She has been teaching for over 25 years and has a BA in Elementary Education, a Masters in Reading and Special Education, and a resume filled with professional development and research that is current with today’s practice. She loves to meet authors and illustrators of children’s literature. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her family.