Congratulations are in order for the NASSP 2017 Digital Principals of the Year (DPOY), David Geurin of Bolivar High School, Darren Ellwein of Harrisburg South Middle School, and Nicholas Indeglio of Downingtown Middle School. The Digital Principals of the Year program honors principals who exhibit bold, creative leadership in their drive to harness the potential of new technologies to further learning goals.This award reflects these principal’s digital leadership and the tremendous work they have done to model the effective use of digital tools and resources to lead a learner-centered environment and collaborative community. The judges were impressed with how Geurin, Ellwein, and Indeglio have empowered teaching and learning through technology and digital resources.

About David Geurin

As a principal of 12 years, Geurin works to implement, promote, anddavid_geurin monitor a shared technology-infused vision. He is a passionate advocate for student learning, working closely with his Digital Learning committee to help guide the vision for Bolivar High School (BHS). Last year, Geurin created a campaign, #StartsWithUs, where his school partnered with other schools to use social media as a way to promote tolerance and acceptance. He also launched a 1:1 program at BHS where he and his staff were able to see students learning in new, powerful ways.

“As a student at Bolivar High School, I am lucky to see firsthand how technology is changing the way students learn,” said Stephen Winder. “Fortunately, our school has benefited from the learning we have with our Chromebooks. And I’ve benefited from how our principal spearheaded a club to inform students of these advances and give more ownership to students as well.”

About Darren Ellwein

Ellwein has been a principal for eight years, but has always had a passion for technellwein_darrenology. He believes technology has transformational potential for growth in learning, for teachers and students. He has made sure every staff member at Harrisburg South Middle School (HSMS) has a Twitter account which has allowed them to communicate with parents through the social media network. In addition to social media, Google Docs and Google Hangouts have played a major role throughout his school. Ellwein has also created technology-based clubs such as the Drone Club, and has even created Twitter Tuesdays and a Genius Hour every Wednesday which has led to the school’s Makerspace being used for prototyping inventions such as an automated dog feeder.

“Mr. Ellwein has been a wonderful addition to Harrisburg South Middle School (HSMS), and it would not be the same without him,” said Isabel Roth an 8th grader at HSMS. “He has helped to make our school more technology forward, and has been constantly advertising our successes through various social media platforms alongside every teacher in the school.”

About Nicholas Indeglio

Downingtown Middle School (DMS) strives to create a digital synergy between indeglio-nicholasstudents, teachers, parents, and the community thanks to Nicholas Indeglio. He believes the key to communicating a technology infused vision is establishing defined methods of communication through common technology platforms. Thanks to the school’s 1:1 middle level initiative, every student at DMS is able to have an iPad. Students have access to the school’s learning management system through this device. At any time, parents can see what their child is doing in class, eliminating “blind spots.” Media/Movie Clubs, Minecraft Club, Twitter Chats, Facebook Live videos, and more are just a few ways Indeglio has implemented technology into his school.

“In general, one could consider Dr. Indeglio a lightning rod for the ongoing evolution of the educational technology culture that exists in our school district today,” said Jeffrey Smith, an Instructional Technology Coach at Downingtown Area School District. “Even though he is responsible as the leader of a single building, his influence can be felt around the district.”

As DPOY winners, these recipients receive an expenses-paid (airfare, lodging, and registration) trip to present at the 2017 National Principals Conference, July 9 –11, 2017, in Philadelphia, PA, and the full McKinsey Management Program for School Leaders (MMPSL), a dynamic and highly interactive online leadership training program. They will also be featured on the cover of an upcoming issue of Principal Leadership magazine.

You can learn more about the NASSP Digital Principals of the Year program here.

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