BCPS Superintendent Dallas Dance named among nation’s top “tech savvy” educators
National publication cites system’s ongoing digital conversion
TOWSON, MD— BCPS Superintendent S. Dallas Dance has been named one of the nation’s eight most “tech savvy” school superintendents byeSchool News, a leading publication for educators.
In its February issue, the magazine cites Dance’s emphasis on digital learning as a pathway to ensuring that every student has the 21st-century skills needed to compete in a global marketplace.
“Since assuming leadership of the country’s 26th largest school district in July 2012 at the age of 30, Dance has focused on giving students a high-quality, comprehensive classroom experience,” the magazine states. “(He) places learning and curriculum first and aims to use technology as a tool to enhance teaching.”
Last spring during his “State of the Schools” address, Dance called on the school system to undertake a multi-year “digital conversion” that will equip every student with a digital learning device by 2017. To support that effort – called S.T.A.T. for Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow – the school system is adapting curriculum and providing educator development to reflect the classroom’s move to a digital learning environment.
“Technology has always been a revolutionary force in society, and now digital technology has brought a revolution in learning to our school houses,” Dance said. “This recognition from eSchool News is a great affirmation of the work that so many administrators, teachers, students, and other members of Team BCPS are doing every day to take part in that revolution and to make sure our students graduate as full digital citizens of the world.”
As a recipient of the magazine’s 14th annual awards, Dr. Dance will participate and be honored in a series of webinars in March. The Bethesda-based eSchool News, which is published 10 times per year, has about 93,500 subscribers.
Added Lawrence Schmidt, president of the Board of Education of Baltimore County, “Baltimore County is fortunate to have a visionary and dynamic leader in Dr. Dance, and he is so deserving of this honor. As Board members, we understand the importance of moving our schools into the digital era, and we support the comprehensive, thoughtful, and energetic leadership Dr. Dance is providing for this initiative.”
As part of the school system’s focus on the new technology initiatives, Dance last year created a Department of Digital Learning, led by Executive Director Ryan Imbriale.
“Our students are ‘digital natives’ – they are growing up in a fast-paced, information-rich world,” Imbriale said. “So to have a superintendent like Dr. Dance, one who is attuned to that reality and who understands the immense potential of digital learning, is invaluable.”
The eSchool News may be viewed at http://www.eschoolnews.com/.