What a State CoSN Chapter Can Do for K–12 Technology Leaders
A state CoSN chapter plays a vital role for technology leadership. There’s so much value in getting involved and being able to connect with peers and networking. It’s important for all tech leaders to network within their states because that’s where real collaboration happens.
A mature state chapter may have any number of initiatives that support technology leaders in school districts. They can facilitate meetings and collaborations between technology leaders and other groups and organizations in the state, such as superintendents, business officials or instructional teams. This builds support and creates awareness of each other’s priorities.
As a former CTO in Indiana, I saw firsthand the work being done in that state. For example, we had a cybersecurity task force, which is a subgroup of its CTO council that works to clear the noise on cybersecurity resources and tools in the state and talks to the state department of education to coordinate efforts at the state level.
WATCH NOW: K–12 schools expand cybersecurity safeguards.
Indiana also has the CTO2B Mentorship Program, which matches up seasoned CTOs with younger, aspiring technology leaders. This allowed for more than just mentorship: When young technology leaders got their CETL certifications, someone from the program’s board would present it to them at their school board meetings to help elevate the certifications to district leadership and the community.
Beyond Indiana, the CoSN chapters in Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Texas are also examples of robust and mature groups. These large chapters are often supported by sponsors and partners that help them implement desired initiatives.
What CoSN Leaders Are Saying
To better understand how existing chapters are thriving and growing, I asked CoSN chapter leaders to share their thoughts. Here’s what they had to say.
Bryan Dunne, President, CoSN Nebraska Chapter (CoSNE)
- “Technology can bring us together, but it’s the intentional connections through state chapters that create lasting impact,” says Bryan Dunne, CTO of Omaha Public Schools. “By collaborating with peers across Nebraska, we’re building a stronger network of technology leaders dedicated to supporting K–12 education.”
Stacy Hawthorne, Board Chair, CoSN
- “CoSN’s state chapters are where national priorities come to life. They create trusted, local networks that empower technology leaders to tackle pressing issues like cybersecurity, data privacy, interoperability and generative AI,” says Hawthorne, chief academic officer of Learn21. “The launch of new chapters demonstrates how powerful it is when committed leaders come together to build community, grow expertise and drive meaningful change at both the state and national levels.”
Megan Gretzinger, Chairperson, Missouri Educational Technology Leaders
- Gretzinger is the executive director of technology for Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and Chairperson of METL, CoSN’s Missouri chapter. “METL is focusing on growing our membership and involvement across the state by engaging with and understanding the needs of our members,” she says.