CoSN IT Leader Spotlight: David Jarboe

In partnership with CoSN, eSchool News highlights the innovative and dedicated work of IT leaders in school districts across the country.

The spotlight is on David JarboeDirector of Educational technology and STEAM in Colorado Harrison School District Two.

1. What is your biggest IT challenge today?

A major IT challenge is providing equitable access to relevant technology for staff and students to meet the educational demands of today's students.

2. What project, initiative or achievement are you most proud of?

Last year, we wrote and received a grant that allowed us to install STEAM labs in all of our elementary and middle schools. STEAM Labs provide a dedicated and engaging learning space to increase student mastery and achievement in core competencies while stimulating their access, exposure to, and interest in STEAM. Students will engage in the integration of other disciplinary concepts and knowledge to bridge real-world connections in relevant ways. The goal of the STEAM Lab is to increase students' ability to learn and build knowledge through active, engaged, and social learning.

3. What are your top 3 priorities for the next few years?

Priority 1: Classroom
We are committed to meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of all students while providing equitable opportunities through:

• Ensure that preschool through postsecondary curricula focus on standards-based instruction
• Engage students using research-based instructional strategies.
• Address the individual academic and social-emotional needs of all students.

Priority 2: Culture
We are committed to a collaborative environment of trust, integrity and transparency through:

• Create accountability systems
• Set high expectations
• Ensure equity for all

Priority 3: Community
We are committed to developing and sustaining community through:

• Communicate transparently and frequently.
• Foster and sustain partnerships between schools and districts
• Facilitate community outreach and promotion

4. technology is evolving at such a high rate: what are some of the school IT innovations you see coming and which ones are you most excited about?

Using virtual reality (VR) to present standards-based content can be a valuable tool for educators, allowing them to engage students in a variety of ways. From exploring history, science, and the arts to career and technical training, virtual reality can provide expanded experiences for general information and virtual excursions that may be impossible to reach in person. With the use of virtual reality, educators can provide more immersive and engaging content.

5. What advice would you give to other school IT leaders and IT teams?

Keep the main thing, which is the students and the learning. It is very important not to lose sight of the ultimate goal of student learning. I have two axioms of innovation:
1. Just because you haven't done it doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.
2. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

We must measure the “return on learning” of each project and initiative we undertake, remembering that the student and learning are the engines of what we do, and technology is the accelerator.

For more IT leadership and innovation news, visit eSN's IT Leadership page.