SHERRY BALLENTINE Is a member of the Educational Technology Department for Durham Public Schools. With 20+ years experience, she is a technology enthusiast bringing her love for teaching, media production, photography and computer technology into an integrated setting that extends beyond the four walls of the classroom. Sherry holds degrees in Elementary Education (K-6), Media Production and Instructional Technology (K-12) and also enjoys her role as an Adjunct Professor at North Carolina Central University.
DANA M. HODGES Landed in the Educational Technology Department of Durham Public Schools as a second/third career via Connecticut, Miami, Florida. Coming from a corporate background with experience in many facets of any organization, finessing my technical support/computer operation skills and as a National Board Certified classroom teacher has afforded me over 35 years of combined work experience of which 19 reside in education. I hold licenses in Administration, Business and Marketing and as an Educational Technology Resource Specialist after obtaining my masters in Instructional Technology Distance Education with concentration in Technology Teaching and Learning from Nova Southeastern University. My motto is to create experiences through learning and having fun in doing so
TIMOTHY BELTON
Timothy Belton cultivates his love of teaching by earning two bachelor degrees from North Carolina Central University in the fields of Elementary Education K-6 and Sociology. Timothy is an instructor of fifth grade at Rencher Nicholas Integrated Arts Core Knowledge Magnet School in Durham, North Carolina for eight years. Timothy recently was selected to facilitate workshops at North Carolina Central University Annual 2014 Symposium for STEMulating Teaching Pedagogies for teachers across North Carolina. Timothy continues the joy of teaching by integrating interactive technology to demonstrate student’s cognitive development of curricular skills. Timothy would like to take this opportunity to thank you for participating in the Digital Learning and Teacher Academy professional development.
KELLARIE BUFF Kellarie is the technology facilitator at Eastway Elementary. This is her 17th year of teaching. She has been with DPS for the last 2 years. She has a bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education and a masters degree in Instructional Technology. She was awarded Teacher of the Year 2013 at Lockhart Elementary School in Wake County. She has close to 50 cats living with her and is looking forward to being highlighted on the Animal Planet show called Confessions: Animal Hoarding in July. She is a well known elephant whisperer and traveled with the Ringling Brothers Circus for 7 years to help keep the elephants calm in between performances and while traveling. She invented a computer keyboard in which elephants can type on with their enormous feet. She has been collecting data and translating the documents that the elephants have typed into English. We look forward to hearing about her continued research with elephants communicating with humans through the use of technology.
GWEN DORMAN MRS. GWEN DORMAN is the Instructional Facilitator and Testing Coordinator at Easley Elementary. Gwen began her career, in 2004, as?a teacher with DPS at Holt Elementary. Besides her National Board Certification, she holds a M.ed. from University of Mary Washington and MSA from UNC- Chapel Hill. She added Technology Facilitator to her role in 2007. At Easley, Gwen guides the professional learning communities, ensuring that data is used effectively to aid in teacher development and student achievement. Having taught all elementary grades and worked with the different grade-level teams to better understand how each department is interconnected, Gwen truly understands the relationship between culture & leadership.
RABIAH HARRISON Hello Digital Learners! My name is Oni Harrison and I am honored to be a presenter for the Digital Teaching and Learning Academy. I have been teaching for Durham Public Schools for 11 years at Bethesda Elementary. I attended North Carolina Central University in which I earned a degree in Elementary Education (Eagle Pride!). In addition to receiving a formal education at North Carolina Central University, I received my technology endorsement from Jones International University. I started my love for integrating technology my 2nd year of teaching when I attended my first EDtech class. Thank you for the opportunity to do what I love most, which is teaching and learning.
AHLEY STEPHENSI am a native of New Jersey where I attended the Gloucester County Institute of Technology Southern New Jersey Academy of Performing Arts. Upon graduation I completed a year and a half at Atlantic Cape Community College, then moved to North Carolina where I attended North Carolina Central University with w major in Elementary Education. After completing my student teaching at Glenn Elementary in December 2011, I stayed and began my journey as a new teacher. I am currently still at Glenn Elementary school where I serve as the grade level team leader and a member of many committees and teams. My passion for seeing students learn and grow has brought me to my found respect and admiration for technology. When a student is engaged, there are no limits to learning!
KARI POWELL Hey Teachers! My name is Kari Powell and I am pleased to be able to meet with so many passionate teachers through DTLA. I received my quality education from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. I graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Education and a minor in Art. I continued at CLU for my masters in Art Education and credential program and taught Art Education Integration for future educators during that time. I felt a strong push to integrate technology as part of the Beginning Teachers Support and Assessment (a requirement for new CA teachers) while teaching underperforming 7th grade students. I have continued to be an advocate for integrating technology in the classroom to promote student engagement and achievement. I am excited to share great ways to incorporate various technologies for whole group, small group and one on one instruction.