Aug 01 2025
Management

Where Can K–12 IT Professionals Find Networking and Support?

State-level CoSN chapters give school technology leaders the opportunity to connect, learn and grow.

Digital tools make it easier than ever to get in touch with like-minded technology professionals, but it’s important not to confuse this with impactful connection. While technology can support such connection, it’s important to consider purposefully curated spaces and local organizations that bring K–12 IT leaders together.

Recently, several areas have begun investing in this type of connection with the creation and expansion of state chapters through CoSN. New opportunities in Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Minnesota are bringing educational technology professionals together to explore and reap the benefits of a state-level CoSN group.

Those unfamiliar with state CoSN chapters, those hesitant to join or those curious about starting a chapter in their state should understand the benefits of these organizations.

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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.
Stacy Hawthorne, CoSN
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.”

Stacy Hawthorne Board Chair, CoSN

Chantell Manahan, Chairperson, Indiana CTO Council

  • “CoSN state chapters are the heartbeat of ed tech leadership across the country. They turn shared challenges into collective action, providing a space where district leaders can exchange solutions, elevate best practices and grow together,” says Manahan, technology director at MSD of Steuben County and CoSN Treasurer. “Our Indiana chapter has shown firsthand how powerful it is when local voices are amplified through a national network, and I am thrilled to see other states investing their time to build impactful chapters. When we invest in community, we don’t just support technology leaders, we build stronger schools.”

Scott Mosby, Chairperson, Oklahoma CoSN State Chapter

  • “Our goal is to ensure Oklahoma’s ed tech leaders are equipped with the knowledge and certifications needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of educational technology, ultimately benefiting every student in our state,” says Mosby, the director of curriculum and technology for Sallisaw Public Schools.

Anthony Padrnos, Board Member, CoSN Minnesota Chapter (CoSN-MN)

  • “Minnesota has had a rich tradition of collaboration among K–12 technology leaders. The reorganization of CoSN-MN strengthens an already vibrant network and responds to the evolving needs of tech leaders across the state,” says Padrnos, executive director of technology at Osseo Area Schools. “CoSN state chapters create a powerful professional network that combats that isolation, offering peer support, shared expertise and a collective voice to advocate for the strategic importance of technology in education. These chapters are catalysts for innovation, resilience and leadership development.”

The Value of Sponsors and Partnerships for Growth

A state CoSN chapter might have a CDW education strategist as an advisory board member so we can help support their mission, vision and what they’re trying to achieve. 

There are also a lot of things that a partner can do from a sponsorship perspective, such as hosting dinners with district leadership during their clinics and supporting some of the initiatives through training that we may offer.

EXPLORE: Optimize your Google and Microsoft environments with help from CDW.

There are many ways a company such as CDW can support a state CoSN chapter. It is important for these groups to look for true partners that are aligned with the state’s and the organization’s beliefs and vision, not someone who offers a check and simply wants their logo on a website. A good partner wants to elevate the group’s message and operates with a professionalism that matches the chapter and respects their members.

That’s also where the education strategists have a strong message. We want to support their mission by building awareness and support, and we want to provide information and thought leadership to connect them with other states and leaders and help their chapters grow. That’s what a partner does.

This article is part of the ConnectIT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology series.

[title]Connect IT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology

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