About Me

I am an educator, consultant, author, attorney and keynote speaker. I love the work that I do as a Consultant and  as a Spanish and STEAM: What’s nExT in Emerging Technology Teacher at Riverview Junior Senior High School in Oakmont, PA. I earned my Juris Doctor Degree from Duquesne University School of Law and have a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology. I am currently pursuing a doctorate in instructional technology.

 I  have presented at the state, national and international level. I have spoken at conferences including ASCD, BETT, CUE, FETC, Future Ready Nebraska, ICE, iNACOL, ISTE, MACUL, MASS CUE, Microsoft E2, NOSS, PETE&C, PSMLA, Southern Oregon EdTech Conference, Spring CUE, USM Summer Spark, TETC and VSTE on topics such as assessments, SEL, emerging technology (AI, AR/VR), blockchain, metaverse, innovation, STEM and technology integration.

 I am an ISTE Certified Educator.  I served as the President of the ISTE Teacher Education Network for two years and now serve as the past-president. I have also served on the leadership team for the ISTE Mobile Learning Network. I am an ISTE Community Leader.

During the ISTE 2019 Conference, I received the Making IT Happen Award. I have received three Presidential Gold Awards for volunteer service to education, for having done more than 500 hours each year in 2018, 2019 and 2020. I received two silver awards and one bronze.   

I was named one of 30 K-12 IT Influencers for 2021. In 2017, I was selected as the 2017 Outstanding Teacher of the Year by PAECT (the Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications in Technology, the PA affiliate of ISTE) and by the NSBA as one of the "20 to Watch" educators. 

I am a Nearpod  PioNear, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Google Certified Educator Levels I and II. 

I am the author of seven books.  My books are 'In Other Words: Quotes that Push Our Thinking," "Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU" both published by EduMatch. "The Future is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead," published by EduGladiators,   "Chart A New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow's World" which is through ISTE, "True Story Lessons That One Kid Taught Us" has stories from 38 educators about that one kid who made a difference.  My newest book is "Your World Language Classroom: Strategies for In-person and Digital Instruction. My next book, "Things I Wish...... Knew" is now available for pre-order.

I have contributed to eight other books including a chapter in Education Write Now, Volume 3. 

The collaborative EduMatch books “Snapshot in Education for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, “Gamify Literacy” from ISTE and "Stories in EDU."

I am a columnist for Getting Smart, Defined Learning, District Administration, NEO LMS and Newsweek STEM Informer.  My personal blog site is www.Rdene915.com and please check out my THRIVEinEDU podcast. 

I have a weekly THRIVEinEDU show on Facebook and welcome educators to join our ThriveinEDU community. 

I host a podcast on the BAM Radio Network, for Defined Learning focused on PBL Strategies. 

Professional Development: I provide PD for schools or individual or group coaching, virtually or in-person. 

I enjoy presenting on a variety of education topics and edtech trends and emerging technologies.  The main areas that I present on are Assessments, Student Tools for Creation, AppSmashing, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Learning and Work, Building your PLN, Going Global with Project Based Learning, SEL and other topics. Please see presentations.

For information about having me Keynote at your event, or present sessions or webinars, please see my Conferences and Presentations page or check out  some of the Podcast Episodes where I was a guest.

Learn more about my work with ALP.