On December 4, Microsoft selected Williston faculty members Josh Seamon, Mattie Byrd McHold, and Kim Evelti to be members of the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert Program for 2015.
According to a press release from Microsoft, “MIE Experts work closely with Microsoft to lead innovation in education, build educator capacity for using technology to improve student learning and advocate and share their experiences in how technology improves teaching and learning.”
As MIE Experts, the three Williston faculty members will receive free Microsoft tools and technology and professional development opportunities through Microsoft. They will also have opportunities to speak at Microsoft conferences and are eligible to earn an all-expense paid trip to the Microsoft in Education Global Forum in Redmond, Washington in April 2015.
“Throughout the year, we have fun and exciting plans for you!” Anthony Salcito, vice president of Worldwide Education, Microsoft Corp wrote in an email to each of the 800 MIE Experts. “We want to support you in your professional development, enable you to learn from each other and also work with you to build your brand.”
In November, Microsoft announced that the Williston Northampton School had been selected as one of 150 Microsoft in Education Showcase Schools, a designation that recognizes innovators in leading and learning. Williston launched a Curricular Technology Initiative (CTI) last year, which included issuing Microsoft Surface Pro with such essential systems as Windows 8, OneDrive, OneNote, and video and audio conferencing features to every faculty member and student on campus.
