Resume
TAMI BRASS
947 Sunrise Avenue
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
E-mail: tamibrass@tech4teaching.org or tamilu.brass@gmail.com
QUALIFICATIONS
During the past twenty+ years of teaching in Minnesota, I've developed a unique knowledge of the state's systems of education, including public/private/charter K-12 and post-secondary/adult education. I've participated in instructional technology conferences throughout the country as a leader, attendee and trainer. I've also been part of planning and organizing departmental, building, and school/district-wide trainings as well as regional edtech and computer science education conferences.
EDUCATION
2016-2017 STEM Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education, St. Thomas University - St. Paul, Minnesota
2001-2003 Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning, St. Mary's University - Winona, Minnesota
1989-1994 Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and English, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
EMPLOYMENT & EXPERIENCE
2006-Present St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minnesota
Teacher/Technology Coordinator, SPA Middle School (since 2006) Director of Instructional Technology (since 2011)
Support faculty, students & families in their use of technology:
Instructional support
team with faculty to teach students in 1:1 computing environment
deliver "just in time" technology support to faculty, students & families
team with technology department k-12 to develop policies/procedures and maintain hardware/network/software
train teachers to effectively utilize tablets and laptops and varied peripherals as tools to enhance teaching and learning
model and facilitate technology integration techniques in multiple classrooms and contents
research, evaluate, and distribute technology resources, such as websites, subscriptions, software, and hardware, to appropriate instructional staff with necessary training on all tools
guided administration and faculty on migration to Google Classroom as LMS during height of COVID pandemic and oversaw edtech side of distance and hybrid instruction including faculty PD, student/family and faculty tech support, and resident Google expert
Classroom instruction
teach Computer Science 6, a required trimester rotation course taken by all 6th grade students
collaborate with other faculty on grade-level teams to plan advisory model developmentally appropriate instructional and social activities
team with teachers in all content areas to design effective models of instruction at a high level of academic rigor
taught Technology 6 as an introduction to our 1:1 learning program
served as 6th grade adviser using Developmental Designs model
taught English 7 in block schedule using reading & writing workshop models in the context of Responsive Design
Leadership
Director of Instructional Technology (Interim March 2010-February 2011) Director of Instructional Technology February 2011 to present.
represent SPA as MnAIS Teacher Services representative and ISACS Lead Learner
introduced Google Apps for Education to SPA and oversee day to day instructional use
advocate for computer science and engineering instruction since 2013, now a strand in our science program K-8 with required courses in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades and electives in grades 9-12
introduced Technovation, a design thinking based all girl app creation competition
co-advisor of Lovelace Society, an SIG for female and non-binary students interested in technology and digital arts
initiated current student technology program for our middle school and expansion of 1:1 program 5-12
initiated use of iPads in our Lower School (currently 1:1 K-5)
develop vision for and implementation of instructional technology K-12
upon hiring, began efforts to revise school's current 1:1 initiative to include student use of tablets and increase level of classroom integration
facilitate family technology communications via meetings, trainings, web resources, and newsletters
facilitate K-12 curriculum mapping initiative, first with Rubicon Atlas and later Google Workspace
collaboratively determine technology professional development offerings
advise school technology committees and hiring committees for various positions
Technical Skills
proficient in use, training, and oversight of all common operating systems in classrooms - Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome
Google for Education Trainer, Google Certified Educator Level 1 & Level 2
comfortable using and facilitating most common edtech tools such as - Google Workspace (Drive, Classroom, etc.), Edpuzzle, Kami, WeVideo
early adopter and current user a wide range of maker technologies with students and supporting adults - Tinkercad, Glowforge, Makerbots, Makecode, Microbits
2018-2021 St. Thomas University, St. Paul, MN
K12 Collaboration Liason, Center for Engineering Education
Instructional oversight and regional promotion of STEPS Camp, general promotion of CEE program resources and opportunities with educators around the world.
1999-2006 Stillwater Area Schools, Stillwater, Minnesota
Teacher/Technology Coordinator, Oak-Land Junior High
Coordinated all aspects of instructional technology for 1100+ students and staff:
Training & instructional support
facilitated, promoted, and supported effective use of technology through the planning and implementation of appropriate staff development models
designed and delivered of technology curriculum & policies, including enrichment programs, AUP, etc.
promoted collaboration among building, district, and regional educators via face-to-face, online, and virtual communications and trainings
developed and maintained a list of resource people, including district staff and external experts, with information about the computer background, interests, and involvement of each person
researched, evaluated, and distributed technology resources, such as websites, subscriptions, software, and hardware, to appropriate instructional staff with necessary training on all tools
worked with special education staff to facilitate assistive technology needs
provided face-to-face, online, and telephone support for students, parents, and staff
collaborated with and advise staff in writing grants for technology resources
Leadership
designed and implemented all elements of building's 1:1 laptop initiative, including help desk, support, and building technology leadership
coordinated and maintained technology help desk for 1000+ clients
planned and maintained budget for building technology department
managed and scheduled media and technology staffing
worked with administrators and Central staff to schedule and administer NWEA computer-based assessments three times each year
planned and supervised roll-in and roll-out of all student systems annually
actively served on building and district professional development committees
Marketing
marketed instructional tech use to visitors, parents, and community
served as point of contact for technology in local press relations
designed and delivered building technology plan with collaboration solicited from all stakeholders
collaborated with other stakeholders around district to generate and revise district technology plan
surveyed stakeholders formally and informally to better meet technology needs
designed and maintained Oak-Land websites, including main website, online grades, and content management systems
coordinated and hosted seasonal tours by visitors from community, business, and education sectors
Teacher, Oak-Land Junior High
Taught English/Reading 7 and 8 to regular, at-risk, and special needs students
Designed numerous project-based, authentic assessments with a constructivist approach to instruction
Differentiated instruction based on NWEA assessments as well as informal classroom assessments and observations
Participated in multiple trainings, including NWEA, reading in the content areas, team-building, diversity, and content area standards
Truly integrated technology into all areas of language arts instruction to improve student achievement and engagement
TOSA for Instructional Technology, District-wide
Developed instructional technology scope and sequence for Stillwater Area Schools
Facilitated and delivered professional development for technology integration district-wide
Coordinated collaboration between and training of elementary tech paraprofessionals
Participated in multiple curriculum discussions and acted as a technology resource person
Oversaw completion and submission of ERATE applications
Collaborated on several district-level technology-related grants
Assisted several buildings with technology planning and leadership
1997-1999 Minnesota Transitions Charter School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Middle School Teacher
Taught all subjects to inner city 7th & 8th grade students
Developed curriculum for all content areas based on Minnesota Profiles of Learning at the middle level
Collaborated with teachers from other schools on several online learning projects
Team-taught science and reading with community specialists
Participated in regional charter school organizations to collaborate on curriculum and long-range planning
Served as technology resource person for all staff in program
Developed and delivered a computer-based 7-12 Introduction to Architecture curriculum
Designed, assembled and maintained a PC computer-lab and basic network (Windows 95 and NT)
1994-1997 CESA #1 - PACE Alternative School, West Allis, Wisconsin
Alternative School Teacher
Primary reading and language arts teacher for students grades 7-12 with 1:1 student: computer ratio
Site technology coordinator; technology resource person for alternative program
Delivered multiple trainings to regional educators, including introducing over 100 teachers to the Internet for both personal and professional use
Collaborated with educators from around the world on multiple online computing projects
Acquired grant to make PACE first school in CESA to have access to the World Wide Web (1995) and collaborate with students to design PACE website
Designed and delivered computer-based and technology-delivered curriculum
AWARDS / ACTIVITIES / PRESENTATIONS
Adobe Creative Educator - Levels I & II - 2021
Kami Her0 - 2021
Mentor - TechnovationMN 2018-2020
Presenter, Panelist, Facilitator, Volunteer - Minnesota Coding Summit - 2016-2020
Participant - Minnesota Coding in the Classroom Leadership Cohort 2016-17
Presenter - TIES Conference, 2003-2018
Presenter - Minnesota Google Summit 2017
Google Education Trainer - 2014 to present
Presenter - Google Apps for Administrators, 2014
Team member - ISACS accreditation teams, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015
Presenter - Lausanne Laptop Institute 2011, 2012, 2013
Panelist - Intel Solutions Summit Las Vegas, Nevada 2011
Presenter - WEMTA Conference, 2010 and supporting Wired Wednesday webinar
Apple Distinguished Educator Institute participant 2005 & 2007
Apple Distinguished Educator, since 2005
Top Online Educator - Surfaquarium, 2005
Presenter - WEMA/Brainstorm Conference, 2006
Presenter - TIES Technology Leadership Camp, 2005
Presenter - MNSCU Wireless Conference, 2005
Keynote Speaker - TIES Technology Leadership Camp, 2004
Active participant in K-12 committees to promote use of instructional technology to improve student achievement
Consult for regional schools to deliver professional development in both traditional and 1:1 settings
Active participant to multiple educational technology listservs, blogs, and social networks
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
Experienced with numerous instructional technology applications, content management systems, and services (such as social networking, GSuite for Education, Flipgrid, Kami, Inspiration, interactive whiteboards/SMART Panels, iPads...) and able to quickly come up to speed on new applications when introduced and train new staff in both how to use and how develop innovative classroom applications.
Expert at finding and utilizing online resources for to enhance classroom and out of class instruction
Well-versed in emerging instructional technology applications, such as blogging, podcasting, wikis, social networks, content management systems, digital sharepoints and the like; classified as early adopter of new instructional technologies
Conversant in ISTE NETS for students, teachers, and administrators as well as specific technology-related standards in content areas K-12
Expert at day-to-day maintenance, troubleshooting, and triage of Apple and Windows desktop and portable systems in multiple educational environments as well as peripheral installation, maintenance, and use with students
Experienced in all Windows operating systems and multiple online learning environments
Comfortable using, teaching, and supporting a wide variety of maker technologies/concepts, including laser cutters, 3D printers, soft circuits, physical computing (Arduino, LilyPad, Makey Makey, Microbit, Edison, Lego), sewing, engineering design, design thinking, etc.
Computing languages: Scratch, SLNova, MIT App Inventor, MakeCode, Blockly, Thunkable, HTML, Arduino, Ardublock, some Python and Javascript, etc.