From Classroom Teacher to
National Thought Leader
From Classroom Teacher to
National Thought Leader
Embedded Files
National Thought Leader
Recognized as the 2025 VATLL/VASCD Impact Award Winner, 2024 ISTE 20 to Watch, ASCD Emerging Leader, Google for Education Innovator (#ATL26), and EdSafe AI Woman in AI Fellow, Debbie Tannenbaum is an active Elementary Tech Coach and ISTE Certified Educator.
With over 26 years in education — including 20 years as a classroom teacher — Debbie is uniquely positioned to help educators because she is one. Unlike consultants who have left the classroom, she tests every strategy at her school before sharing it, ensuring her support is practical, realistic, and empathy-driven.
My Origin Story
My Origin Story
My path to EdTech consulting didn't follow a straight line — it started with a struggle.
As an elementary school teacher, I desperately wanted to use technology meaningfully with my youngest learners. I looked everywhere for guidance specifically designed for elementary classrooms and came up empty. So I did what teachers do: I figured it out myself.
That journey led me to become a School-Based Technology Specialist (SBTS) in Fairfax County, Virginia, where I now help students and teachers discover what's possible when technology is used with purpose and intention — not just as a shiny add-on.
The turning point came when I realized I was uniquely positioned to help the educator I once was. Every strategy I develop, every framework I share, every session I lead is grounded in that empathy — because I remember exactly what it felt like to be that teacher searching for answers that didn't exist yet.
Want to bring this approach to your school? Explore my sessions →
The Story Behind "Techy Notes"
The Story Behind "Techy Notes"
In 2018, I was sitting in my car during my commute, listening to a podcast about "Icon Literacy" — the idea of using visuals to help non-readers navigate technology independently.
Something clicked.
I went back to my kindergarten classroom and started adding icons to morning messages and little instructional cards I called "Techy Notes." The transformation was remarkable. Students who couldn't read a word could suddenly troubleshoot, navigate tools, and create — independently and confidently.
That simple idea grew into something much bigger. The "Techy Notes" concept became the foundation of my first book, TRANSFORM: Techy Notes to Make Learning Sticky, and gave birth to the "Edurubricon" — a visual scaffolding tool that has since become a signature element of my work with schools.
Today, the same philosophy drives everything I do: take complex technology and make it sticky, accessible, and actionable for our youngest learners. If a kindergartner can do it independently, we're doing it right.
A Few Things You Should Know About Me
A Few Things You Should Know About Me
🎓 Education: Master's in Educational Technology from Johns Hopkins University — and a proud UMD Terp (Go Terps!)
🏫 Classroom Roots: I spent 20 years as a 4th and 5th grade classroom teacher before moving into tech coaching — which means I know exactly what it feels like to be in your shoes.
💡 The Spark: TannenbaumTech was born in 2018 during a commute podcast moment that changed everything. Sometimes the best ideas come when you're stuck in traffic.
📚 Author: I wrote TRANSFORM: Techy Notes to Make Learning Sticky in 2021. My second book — a partnership with ISTE+ASCD — is coming in Early 2027.
🔬 My Promise: Every strategy I share has been tested in real classrooms first. If it doesn't work for my students, I don't share it with yours.
🏆 Certifications: Book Creator Ambassador and Trainer · Tech for Learning Innovative Educator · Pear Deck Coach · Google Certified Educator Levels 1 & 2 · UDL Certified Educator Levels 1 & 2 · Gemini Certified Educator
Let's Connect
Let's Connect
I believe the best professional learning happens in a community. Whether you're a classroom teacher just starting your EdTech journey or a district leader looking to build sustainable systems, I'd love to be part of your story.
Follow along on social media @TannenbaumTech — I share practical strategies, classroom-tested ideas, and honest reflections on what it means to put pedagogy first.
📅 Ready to bring Tannenbaum Tech to your school or district? Book a Discovery Call — let's talk about what your community needs.
📧 Or reach me directly at debbie@tannenbaumtech.com
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