Specialists

This is Paul's 15th year as a BestPrep Technology Integration Specialist. Paul has over 25 years of teaching experience from three different school districts. Starting at Kelliher Public Schools, Paul taught math and science as well as computer classes at the junior high level. At Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, he taught high school physics, chemistry and math where he incorporated computer data collection and spreadsheet analysis into his lab assignments. Paul currently teaches physics and chemistry at Buffalo High School. While at Buffalo, Paul has explored Flipped Instruction and Standards Based Grading with physics. Currently, he is adapting courses to fit an MTSS model of instruction and support. Paul received his BA from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and M.A. from Western Governors University.

Paul lives in Plymouth with his wife Sarah and their son Cole. He is knowledgeable in Google Docs, screen casting and flipped instruction, Adobe Photoshop, Vernier, Pasco and Texas Instruments probware interfaces, as well as video editing and analysis. He can even help you with GameChanger if you're into coaching baseball!

Jodi attended the BestPrep Workshop as a participant in 2017. This is her fifth year as a Technology Integration Specialist at the Workshop. Teaching in Princeton Public Schools since 2003, Jodi has been a classroom teacher in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade and in 2016 became the district's PreK-12 Instructional Technology Coordinator. She enjoys collaborating with teachers in and out of the classroom to help integrate technology and innovative teaching ideas. Jodi is a Level 2 Google Certified Educator, GSuite Certified, Seesaw Connected Educator, Clever Trainer, IXL Ambassador and is affectionately known as the Lego Lady by many students in Princeton for sharing her passion for learning through play!

Outside of her work at Princeton Public Schools Jodi enjoys time with her nieces, family and friends, anything crafty and being a Lego collector and builder!

Jen is an accidental librarian. She began her educational career as a secondary English teacher. As she worked to become a Technology Integrationist, she also earned her Library Media Specialist license. After working as a Tech Integrationist and as both Media and Tech Integration, Jen has found her home as a Library Media Specialist.

Jen just finished her first year in a new position at Jackson Middle School in Anoka Hennepin as their Library Media Specialist. Jen’s passion lies in creating an environment that engages students in individualized learning that is relevant, meaningful, and increases achievement in and out of the classroom. She also works to foster a space where all students feel included, safe, and represented. Jen has been with the BestPrep Technology Integration Workshop since 2005, when she attended as a participant. She’s been a Technology Integration Specialist every year since. In those years, she’s seen an amazing journey in how technology has transformed student learning. 

Jen is also raising two children who are makers, leaders, innovators, and readers, and they keep her busy outside of school! She enjoys scrapbooking when she gets a chance. In the summer, she and her daughter foster the environment for Monarch caterpillars and butterflies, and they enjoy teaching others about them.

This school year will be Becky’s 22nd year of teaching math to middle and high school students in Luverne, MN. Currently, her classes include 11th grade and dual credit classes (college calc, algebra, and stats). Previously she spend 15 years teaching math to 8th graders. This is Becky’s sixth year with BestPrep - two as a participant and four as a Specialist. She also has her Google Level 1 certification. She is married and has two amazing boys ages 23 and 19. 

TIW 2023 will be Kate’s fifth year as a Technology Integration Specialist. She holds a K-6 Elementary teaching license, a K-12 Library Media License, and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, which have contributed to her expertise in the field. With over 29 years of teaching experience, Kate has had the privilege of working with students from kindergartners to 8th graders, constantly learning from their unique perspectives.

Currently, Kate serves as a peer coach at the middle school, where she finds great joy in collaborating with teachers to set goals and work to meet the needs of their students. One of her passions lies in the implementation of assistive technology in schools, enabling inclusive and accessible learning environments. Additionally, she is intrigued by topics such as video editing, coding in the classroom, instructional design, and professional development.

Kate has presented at notable conferences including ISTE, FETC, TIES, and ITEM, sharing her knowledge and experiences with fellow educators. She is a Seesaw Certified Educator, a Common Sense Education Ambassador, and a Certified Apple Learning Coach, highlighting her proficiency in utilizing various educational tools and platforms. This year, she completed her LETRS training, blending her love for reading with her passion for assisting struggling readers in their journey towards literacy. She looks forward to working with you and hearing about the topics you love learning about.

Anthony has worked in education for 23 years spanning several roles and responsibilities. He has taught ELA at the high school level, worked as a district TOSA for digital learning, taught adjunct courses in educational leadership, and has presented at numerous local and national conferences. 

Tony’s educational interests include using technology to address special education needs, promoting educational equity, seeking social justice through digital interconnectedness, and building servant leaders in education. In Fall of 2019, after six years working full time as a district trainer, coach, and digital learning advisor, he chose to resume his first passion: working with young people and teaching literature in the High School setting. His classrooms utilize blended learning strategies, global connections, and are all virtually paperless. He also continues to work in the adjunct pool at Concordia University-St. Paul, when needed, teaching courses for aspiring principals and superintendents. 

He currently teaches at Rogers High School in Independent School District 728. He resides in Rogers with his three teenage children, two cats, a fish and a beloved, crabby chihuahua.