Class+introductions

By **__January 30__**, please introduce yourself to your classmates by adding your name and text to the bottom of this page. Format your name like I did, then add your text after your name. The more you tell us about yourself, the more connections we will have to make with you!

===__**Scott McLeod**__. mcleod@umn.edu, [|www.scottmcleod.net/contact], [|www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org]===

I've been a professor of [|Educational Administration] for nearly 8 years now, six here at the U and two at the University of Cincinnati. I love anything to do with technology and leadership and am a self-confessed tech geek (e.g., I have six different computers). With [|Dr. Joan Hughes], I founded and direct [|CASTLE], the nation's only university center dedicated to the technology needs of school administrators. Our School Technology Leadership program was the first graduate program in the country based on ISTE's [|National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS-A)]. I also have a law degree and teach the College's school law courses. I do a lot of work with schools. Although much of my work has focused on helping educators with [|data-driven decision-making issues], more recently I have been working with school districts to help them think about [|what it means to prepare students for the 21st century] (rather than the 19th century!). I have a [|fabulous and highly-supportive family]. You can learn more about me [|at my home page] or by [|reading my vitae].

__**Monica Howell**__. howe0096@umn.edu
I work for an AmeriCorps program, the [|Minnesota Promise Fellows]. The Promise Fellows are tasked with helping to reduce the achievement gap, many of us with programs for tutoring, mentoring, etc. The site I work at is [|Great River School]in St. Paul. I'm also in the [|preK-12 administrative licensure program]here at the U. I'm doing my internship right now and will have my licensure panel late this spring. As if I weren't busy enough, I also volunteer with the local Sierra Club [|Inner City Outings]group. We partner with a few local agencies to take inner city kids on outdoors trips around the state. If you're interested, we're always looking for new volunteers! Other info: I lived in Japan for two years teaching English in junior high schools. I've recently gotten into blues dancing and am planning to start swing dancing too. You can find me on [|Facebook]if you want to see pictures of me or Japan.

__**John Bartucz**__**.** **bart0605@umn.edu, [|www.bartucz.com]**
I am in my last semester as a [|graduate student]in [|Computer Science]. I spend most of my time volunteering as the head coach of the [|Rochester Rowing Club]. I also enjoy playing [|soccer]. My long term plan is to get back into education after making [|50 billion dollars]with [|an internet startup]. If anyone has any [|brilliant ideas], please email me.

__**Roger Whaley**__. roger@rogerwhaley.com
I am Roger Whaley. I am a middle school band teacher out on the banks of senic Lake Minnetonka. I also help out with the tech issues in my building and the NCLB data for the district. I sometimes consult for MakeMusic! a music software company here in Eden Prairie. I am a member of the CASTLE summer 2006 cohort. My wife and I are raising 2 active kids, so I REALLY appreciate going to class on-line.

**__Cindy Walters__.** cwalters@cseced.org
I am Cindy Walters. I am the principal at an alternative school/career and techical center/special education cooperative in Chaska, MN. The name of my school is [|Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative]. I am in the 2nd year of my EdD program here at the U and Scott is my advisor. I am also a member of the CASTLE summer 2006 cohort. In my spare time I enjoy ??? spending time with my two boys (ages 13 and 11)! I enjoy these online classes and have really learned alot from everyone involved. I'm certain this class will not be an exception. See you on-line.

__**Dave Zukor**__. zukor007@umn.edu
I am an elementary technology teacher working with grades 1-5. I teach at two elementary schools in the [|Wayzata school district], [|Sunset Hill] and [|Plymouth Creek]. I work with students and teachers on projects from Internet research to multimedia presentation, podcasting, spreadsheets, databases, and anything else that pops up. I am currently learning how to integrate Moodle into my classes. I also am teaching an Academy class to elementary teachers in my district. This is a course on integrating technology into the classroom. We are covering Internet strategies, blogging, concept mapping, and much more! I am really excited about the progress so far. In my spare time, I enjoy getting wrapped up in the imagination of [|my two children, ages 2 and 5]. They are great fun! I love [|birdwatching], playing soccer, and eating out! I'm looking forward to a March birdwatching trip to Costa Rica.

**__Greg Rien__**
My name is Greg Rien. I am a teacher at S.H.A.P.E., an alternative school high school in Bloomington. I am also a social studies instructor for Northern Star Online, an online high school. Perhaps most importantly, I am “dad” to Mazi, a two year old Cocker/Caviler Spaniel mix who when not being my pride and joy spends his time trying to distract me from studying, working or sleeping. I just returned from Mexico where for the first time in many, many years the sun did not shine. Next year. I am looking forward to learning from all of you!

__Kevin Champney__. champ066@umn.edu
Hi my name is Kevin Champney and I am Director of Technology, Library and Media Resources at [|John Bapst Memorial High School], an Independent College Prep school in [|Bangor, Maine]. No, "Independent College Prep School" does not mean we have a huge endowment or any endowment at all. Just to clear that up. Because of the rural makeup of much of Maine the state has an unusual system whereby any student that lives in a town without a High School can choose to attend a number of public and private institutions (non denominational). 90% of our students have their tution paid for by the sending community which makes us quasi-private or quasi-public depending on your mood. We have more than fifty sending communities. I am a member of the summer 2006 CASTLE cohort. In my spare time I cook, garden, hike, bike, x-country ski and snow shoe right now (hooray for snow!), play music and play with my Springer Spaniel Jack.

**__Sharon O'Connor Riehle__**. rieh0023@umn.edu
I am Technology Director at [|Cretin-Derham Hall] High School in St. Paul, MN. Our school has an enrollment of 1320 in grades 9-12. I coordinate technology planning and implemention for the school with a staff of three others. I love my job and the students and teachers I work with. Like some of you, I am in a private school, which does not translate to unlimited funds! 60% of our students rely on financial aid. Fortunately our principal and board are very supportive of technology. I am married with four grown children ages 21, 23, 24 and 26; only the youngest is still living at home. We also have 2 dogs (tiny peekapoo and huge 5 mo. old golden retriever) and a cat. I am also a member of cohort 3 of the STLI/CASTLE program, and have learned so much through this program.

__Dusty Johnson__. johnsonjd@uni.edu
I am the elementary and middle school band director at Price Laboratory School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I also am the music director at First Congregational Church of Christ in Waterloo, Iowa. This course is actually the last one in my pursuit of a masters of music education degree here at the U...yea! I took Data Driven Decision Making II last summer with Scott and am enjoying the benefits of a better understanding of Excel; it makes a band director's job MUCH easier. I recently got married to our MS math teacher in November. I enjoy performing my trumpet at church and in area ensembles, reading science fantasy, such as Terry Brooks and Terry Goodkind, mountain biking, camping, fishing, and cooking. And I love to incorporate technology in my teaching.

__Susan Link__. snlink@isd194.k12.mn.us
For the last nine years I have been a Communications Teacher in Lakeville, MN. I am finishing my K-12 Principal's license and am lucky to have a full time Administrative internship this year as a Dean at [|Lakeville North High School]. I love my job and think that I have found my niche. I hope that this course will help me get a better understanding of what I can do to help my school district (who is in the middle of cutting $8 million from our budget), and specifically my school, progress technologically without spending any money. I also have been the cheerleading coach in Lakeville for the past seven years and the majority of my free time is devoted to being the advisor for cheerleading of both [|Lakeville North] and [|Lakeville South] High Schools. In two weeks we are taking three of our teams to the [|National High School Cheerleading Championship] in Orlando, Florida and hope to be very successful! I hope the weather is nice because last year when we were there Florida was experiencing record lows and it wasn't much warmer there than it was here! I am looking forward to another fabulous class by Scott McLeod and I look forward to getting to know all of you also!

__**Matt Robinson**__. robin545@tc.umn.edu
Hello everyone. My name is [|Matt Robinson]. I work as a School Psychologist at [|Stillwater Junior High School] in the [|Stillwater Area School District]. I am currently finishing up my first year as an (Ed.D.) Doctoral Student in the EdPA program at the [|U of M]. I am also a member of the CASTLE 2006 cohort. I am interested in the many ways that technology can be utilized in the K-12 environment to enhance and improve learning. I am particularly interested in the use of on-line learning in the K-12 environment, so I was very pleased with Tim Pawlenty's comments regarding the use of on-line learning during the [|Minnesota State of the State Address] last Wednesday. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. I am married to an incredible wife, and I have three wonderful children. I spend as much time with them as I can. I am also active in my [|church]. My favorite TV show (besides just about anything on the [|History channel]) is [|The Office]. For those of you who already know me, you know that I am a big [|Mac] fan, and am anxiously awaiting the release of [|OSX.5]. I look forward to seeing you on-line.

**__David Delong Riviera__. edwa0089@umn.edu, david@artistmarket.org, [|www.artistmarket.org]**
I am an undergraduate senior in the College of Continuing Ed - Inter College Program emphasizing on Education & Technology. I was at the U from 1994 until 1997 and returned this past fall to finish my degree. I work for the U Academic Health Center Office of Classroom Services as an A/V Technician and ITV Operator for health education classes between Minneapolis, Duluth, and Rochester. I was previously a theatre major (Lighting, Stage Management... I do not act) and volunteer at Theatre in the Round on Cedar Avenue. I am a trained Metro SkyWarn Severe Weather Spotter and an FCC Licensed Amateur Radio Technician. I live in Minneapolis with two cats.

__Corey Haugen__. hauge344@umn.edu, chaugen@austin.k12.mn.us
Hi my name is Corey Haugen and I work for the [|Austin Public School District] in Southeastern Minnesota. For the last 9 years, I have been in the classroom as an Algebra 1 & Pre-Algebra teacher, Mathematics Department Chair and Jr. High Athletic Director. This year, however, I have taken a new role at the district level and I am now the District Data/Assessment/Instructional Technology Coordinator. In this position, I am responsible for analyzing/interpreting/presenting our State & Local assessment data, studying different educational programs and their effectiveness on student achievement, instruct teachers on data-driven decision making processes, provide staff technology development within their classroom setting and maintain local support for 3 of our major web-based instructional/assessment programs: [|Scantron Performance Series], [|DIBELS Data System for Reading]and [|Lifetime Learning Library]. When I am not working, I love to spend time with my family. I have a wonderful wife of almost 8 years and two great kids of almost 2 & 4. We love to spend time outdoors, playing sports, biking, walking and boating at the lake. This is my first class as part of the CASTLE program and I am truly looking forward to learning from Dr. Scott McLeod and the rest of you. I look forward to getting to know you all better.

__**Becky Meyer**__**.** **meye0936@umn.edu**
I am currently the director of the [|Agricultural & Food Sciences Academy], a charter high school located in [|Vadnais Heights]. I hope to finish up my K-12 principal licensure requirements by this summer and then complete the superintendent's license. Charter school directors often wear many hats, in my case, I serve as the only administrator for 220 students, overseeing all aspects of the program. Our school focuses on the science, business and technology of agriculture, so we are very involved with the [|National FFA Organization], this past year, 27 of our students qualified for national competition. My kids are grown, and I have two young grandsons that I spoil as often as I can. In my spare time, I like to work on some stained glass projects and love to kayak.

__Pam O'Connell__. paoconnell@district287.org
I am a building program facilitator and administrative intern with [|Intermediate District 287]. For the first time in 20 years my desk is not at DSC but in a school. I am at Hosterman, a former middle school my district is leasing from Robbinsdale Public Schools. There are about 250 Setting 4 elementary through secondary special education students (EBD, DCD, and ASD). Hopefully, I will complete the licensure requirements for a Director of Special Education license this spring. In the past, I have worked as an [|assistive technology specialist] and itinerant physical and health disabilities (PHD) teacher. I am married with two daughters ([|one who was married this past summer]) and a poodle. I hope to spend much of my time this summer in [|Annandale], not working or taking classes

**__Mary Hunt__. hunt0425@umn.edu**
Hello everyone. My name is Mary Hunt and I have been employed by the [|Minnesota Department of Education] since June, 2006 as a Specialist in Early Childhood Special Education in the Early Learning Services Department. By trade, I am a School Psychologist and have practiced School Psychology in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota for the past 19 years. I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist from the [|National Association of School Psychologists]. I have only been a Minnesotian for approximatley 3 years. With each year I become more endeared to the state and to the education system. However, I am die hard [|Chicago Cubs] and [|Chicago Bears] fan - GO BEARS!!!

**__JM__**. moell065@umn.edu
Greetings from across the Pacific! Hopefully you don't mind simply calling me "JM" for the purposes of this site (since it is public and I don't like putting my first and last name together for online public venues). If you email me, I am happy to tell you more specifics. This is my 15th year of teaching. I currently teach in a large international school with an American-style education but have taught in Oregon public and private schools in the past. I am working with the International EdD cohort and really enjoy taking CASTLE courses alongside. My school uses technology extensively within a project-based learning philosophy. We are ready to go "virtual" in the case of bird flu or other pandemics. My current excitement is that I have been approved to take a one-year leave of absence in order to finish my dissertation. I'm also planning on getting married this summer at a chateau in France! When I'm not working or studying, I am hanging out with the love of my life at trivia nights, hiking, swimming, playing cards, walking the beaches, playing beach volleyball, reading, or visiting one of the thousands of restaurants in my current country. Life is good.