Karen is an educator who has worked in primary schools for many years as a teacher and as a leader. She is currently working for the Education Department of South Australia as a Curriculum Manager for Technologies R-6. She is currently working on developing SA curriculum documents designed to support SA teachers to implement the Technologies Learning Area. Karen worked with the Computer Science in Education Research group with Adelaide University for 3 years during 2016-2019. She is passionate about bringing computer science into the everyday discourse and practice of teachers and learners. She wants computer science to be accessible and exciting for all primary school students. Karen also has experience teaching pre service teaching students Media Arts. Karen is an advocate for supporting students to become critical consumers and power creators of technologies.

Work Place: Primary Teacher, Vale Park Primary School

About me:
I grew up tinkering and playing around on computers and digital technologies in rural South Australia before moving to Adelaide where I studied Computer and Information Science and Media Arts at the University of South Australia. I was the UniSA Inaugural Ada Scholarship for Gifted Women in IT. From university I went on to work professionally in the film and television industry on television shows and movies like McLeod’s Daughters, Home and Away, Babadook and ANZAC Girls. After returning to Adelaide from working in the United States I entered the “family business” as a teacher where I have been working in primary schools around Adelaide as a TRT and Contract Teacher for the past 8 years. I believe that digital technologies provides numerous opportunities for teachers and learners to develop their critical and creative thinking, collaboration and communication skills for future lifelong learning and success. I integrate a collaborative learning approach in my classroom where students are encouraged to teach each other and myself what they know and mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities. In 2018, I was awarded the Department for Education’s SA Primary Teacher of the Year award.

Follow: https://twitter.com/KellyRivett

Time served on the Committee: Member since 2015, Committee member from 2017

Work Place: Torrens Valley Christian School

About me:
Before joining Torrens Valley Christian School as eLearning Coordinator and IT teacher, Fiona worked in the IT industry after gaining a degree in Computer and Information Science.

Fiona has radically changed the way ICT and Digital Technologies is taught at TVCS since joining the staff. She has increased the engagement of students, in particular girls, in IT and introduced SACE Stage 1 and 2 IT (now Digital Technologies) which has led to an increase in students enrolling in Digital Technologies

Fiona is committed to innovation to ensure that students have increased skills, particularly in programming. She has been asked by students to start a coding club at lunch times and has started a Year 5/6 STEM group where she works with 10 select students on robotics and coding in preparation for entry in the FIRST Lego League Competition. These students now see themselves as leaders of Digital Technology in their classes.

Whilst Fiona regularly attends conferences and workshops, she has discovered there is not enough support available for Middle School and Senior School Digital Technologies teachers.  To rectify this, she is committed to networking and sharing, and has been approached by several schools and individual Digital Technologies teachers to help them with their practice.

Fiona freely shares resources and ideas with teachers and schools and presents workshops for EdTechSA. Recently, she was approached by AISSA and the SACE Board to help run professional development sessions, moderate and write sample material for the new Stage 2 Digital Technologies curriculum. The Digital Technologies Hub invited her to write sample material and share her digital technologies implementation journey. As a result, there is information on their website including teaching resources and curriculum outlines.

Fiona says, “The IT learning area has been an isolated one for many years, with teachers going it alone. This has to change; we need to work together and support each other if we are to navigate this ever-changing industry”. Fiona’s work exemplifies this.

Time served on the Committee: Since 2019

Emma is a future-focused educator and leader, who is committed to supporting schools to prepare for their digital transformation. She believes that every child deserves an education that is worth having and is dedicated to making sure that happens. A contemporary educator and leader who combines a skill-based curriculum with innovative uses of tech to ensure maximum engagement by ALL students.

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Jak is a professional secondary school teacher with a background in software engineering. He is passionate about teaching mathematics and digital technologies in years 8 to 10 as well as SACE stage 1 and 2. Jak has a keen interest in developing the capacity of digital technologies education and is always looking for innovative ways to engage his students in learning, as well as building the capacity of digital technologies educators and associated pedagogical practise. Jak believes that digital technologies can empower students to become creative problem solvers and critical thinkers in the 21st century.

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Work Place: R-8 specialist teacher, Lock Area School

About me:

I have had a keen interest in technology since I was a small child, spending every available opportunity learning new skills on and interacting with digital systems at home and at school. In high school I undertook work experience in graphic design and completed a Certificate II in Information Technology; however, I decided to study education through Flinders University instead. After graduating in 2009, I spend my first four years teaching in Coober Pedy across R-5, as well as two further years in leadership amidst time spent teaching in Adelaide schools. A highlight of my time as a classroom teacher has always been finding new and inventive ways to incorporate technologies into everyday lessons and, as a leader, I thrived on being able to share this passion. In 2020, I became a key member of my school’s e-learning committee and honed my skills with Apple technology while mentoring other staff on how to incorporate digital literacies, with the introduction of BYOD iPads. When the opportunity arose in 2022 to become an R-6 Technologies specialist, I jumped at the chance and worked diligently to develop student and teacher engagement with and understanding of digital and design technology skills and knowledge. Currently, as a specialist Technologies, The Arts and Indonesian specialist, and high school English teacher, I am honing my technologies expertise through the building of vibrant interactive learning experiences that encompass multiple learning areas, in order to give students authentic opportunities to use and create with relevant new technologies such as AR and VR. 

Time served on the Committee: Member since 2022, Committee member from 2023

Work Place: University of South Australia

About me:
I am an experienced educator, with a strong background in digital learning and inclusive technologies. I have held a range of teaching and leadership roles across various schools, not for profit organisations and educational institutions across South Australia.

I am a passionate advocate for the purposeful use of technologies for learners to support access to curriculum and resources and improve options for demonstrating their learning, skills, knowledge, interests, and growth.  I am interested in ways technology may reduce barriers to learning and understanding.

Follow: https://twitter.com/kimnitram

Time served on the Committee:
2013 – 2014 CEGSA/EdTechSA Committee Member
2013 – 2014 ACCE EdTechSA Adelaide Conference Committee Member
Member since 2011 Approximately.

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