The National School Boards Association’s Technology Leadership Network announced its “20 to Watch” honorees for 2013-2014. Included in that list is Warsaw Community Schools Chief Technology Officer Brad Hagg. “It’s definitely a tremendous honor to be recognized by the National School Boards and to be a part of the list,” Hagg said in a telephone interview this morning. According to a press release on the NSBA website, “These distinctive education leaders from across the country are being recognized for their ability to inspire colleagues to incorporate innovative technology solutions that contribute to high-quality learning environments and more efficient school district operations.” “The '20 to Watch' honorees offer real-world examples of how new technologies are being used to impact learning and how these new tools may influence or inform policy,” stated Thomas J. Gentzel, NSBA’s executive director, in the press release. “From ‘BYOD’ and the Maker Movement to virtual schools and the increased use of the cloud, these inspirational pioneers are paving the way.” Ann Flynn, NSBA’s director of education technology, shared that common characteristics across honorees include their willingness to take risks, share learnings with colleagues, and inspire others to believe that they, too, can effectively use technology. “Their voices and experience will inform local, district and state approaches to education technology decisions for years to come,” Flynn is quoted as saying in the press release. Hagg said Warsaw Community Schools Director of Communications and Language Programs Wendy Long nominated him for the honor. She asked Hagg for some help with the application in nominating him and he was able to give her some information on his professional career. About honoree Hagg, the press released states, “As a Certified Education Technology Leader, Brad Hagg has become an invaluable resource in his district with the introduction of an online data dashboard and tools that enhance student safety. Hagg serves on the Indiana Department of Education’s 2014 eLearning Leadership Cadre to help the state focus on strategic components of 21st century teaching and learning that directly impact student achievement and instructional practice.” This is the eighth year of the NSBA “20 to Watch” program, created in 2006. This year’s honorees are being recognized at the 2014 Consortium for School Networking Conference March 19 in Washington, D.C., along with a TLN-hosted luncheon at NSBA’s 2014 Annual Conference in New Orleans this April. “Next week I fly out to meet some legislators to talk about technology education. The conference starts Wednesday with the recognition events Wednesday and Thursday,” Hagg said. As far as he knew, there is no grant money or other prizes for being named one of the “20 to Watch.” TechSmith Corporation is sponsoring the “20 to Watch” celebration events and is providing software scholarships to the honorees, the release states. “I would say it’s one of the highest honors I’ve ever received,” Hagg said. He said he understood there were quite a few nominees for the award, but he was only one of 20 selected. “I’m humbled and honored to be on the list,” Hagg said. For more information about NSBA, visit its website at www.nsba.org
