The Savvy Edtech Leader

Book excerpt: This book provides a road map for edtech practitioners looking to advance or pivot in their careers, ensuring they are well-positioned to move forward in their professional journeys. Edtech practitioners need pragmatic and applicable strategies to shape and advance their career paths. Written by four prominent edtech leaders, this book addresses this need, guiding readers in how to build effective leadership skills with strategies that encourage creativity, flexibility and adaptability, so they can respond effectively to evolving challenges. In a field as dynamic as educational technology, such a mindset is crucial to being prepared not just to adapt to the present, but to shape the future. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the book addresses core topics such as leadership vision, strategic planning, ethics and performance management, so that both budding and seasoned professionals are well-equipped to navigate the diverse challenges they might face. By focusing on strategies that have the potential to transform learning with technology leadership, this book supports educators and leaders in harnessing technology to lead in the most effective ways, directly benefiting students. The book will help readers: • Focus on internal motivation and increase confidence in order to become an effective leader. • Learn how to establish a positive leadership culture at the staff and district levels. • Cultivate interpersonal and team-building skills to foster collaborative, harmonious work environments. • Make informed, ethical decisions as the rapid evolution of technology often outpaces the development of ethical guidelines. • Build strategic planning and performance management skills to prepare to move into top education technology leadership positions. • Map out a plan to support a school system’s vision, and influence others to buy into and support that vision. Tackling diverse challenges that professionals in educational technology face, this book equips readers with the knowledge and practical strategies needed to bring about meaningful change. Audience: Leaders and aspiring leaders seeking higher-level education technology leadership positions, including educators, education leaders and coaches.