Our ITS team includes so many hard working staff members who are constantly going above and beyond to improve the quality of services that we provide to educators!

Do you know an ITS staff member who deserves special recognition, a pat on the back, or just a plain thank you? Help me credit their good deeds by submitting a KUDOS form, and I'll be sure to reward them with a $5 gift card!

November 2009: Anisha Verdialez, Administrative Assistant
If you've ever called our main office line, chances are the sweet voice you hear on the other line is our lovely Administrative Assistant, Anisha! For the past year, Anisha has worked very hard to help merge the Instructional Technology Services Department and the California Technology Assistance Project, Region 7 into ONE great team. There have been so many challenges, but Anisha has faced them all head on. Not only has Anisha increased her technological aptitutde, she is a very savvy user of Web 2.0 technologies such as Google Documents, Picasa and Sharepoint. These tools have all helped in developing a seamless workflow and increasing the entire departments' productivity. Additionally, Anisha represents Fresno County on the Statewide Organizational Management System (OMS) Administration committee and provides tech support to OMS users on both the administrative and user end. Anisha embodies what a 21st Century administrative assistant is all about: hard-working, tech-savvy, and a positive agent of change!

October 2009: Brian Curwick, Coordinator
Brian has been a tremendous asset to not just the six counties in which he serves as a regional coordinator, but also to the statewide California Technology Assistance Project. Each year, districts from all over the state must draft a technology plan that describes the instructional technology goals they hope to accomplish. This is a huge project, especially for small districts who are limited on resources. Earlier this year, Brian organized a series of tech planning cohorts for educational administrators. The cohorts were designed to take place over the course of three days and administrators were encouraged to bring a team that would later help develop a technology planning committee for the entire district. In addition, Brian developed an online tech planning wiki to supplement the writing process and that was extremely well received by the participants. Just recently, the State CTAP organization took notice of Brian's efforts and have now dedicated a link to Brian's tech planning wiki on the State CTAP webiste, so that districts from all over the state of California could access the resources that Brian has organized. To check out the MyCTAP website, visit: www.myctap.org

September 2009: Library Services Team
The ITS Library Services team is comprised of Brigeen, Judy & Ronnie. All three ladies were instrumental in pulling together the Summer Library Camp for paraprofessionals. Their hard work consisted of compiling registration, coordination of the event, and showcasing their own expertise as featured presenters. For more information about the services that our talented Library Services Team provides to schools, please visit: http://www.myfcoeportal.org/libraryservices

August 2009: Mark Hammons, EdTechConsultant
Mark was selected to attend the Google Teacher's Academy in Boulder, Colorado because of his passion for using innovative tools to improve teaching and learning. The application process consisted of a one minute video submission for which Mark was selected as a "creative leader who understands the local needs and can spread innovation as a recognized expert." Of the 51 participants, six were from California, and Mark was the only participant from the Central Valley. As a Google Certified Teacher, Mark is expected to share the impact of his work with other educators. Please join me in congratulating Mark on this outstanding accomplishment! For more information about the Google Teacher Academy, visit: http://www.google.com/educators/gta.html
To follow Mark's blog, visit: http://www.myfcoeportal.org/blogs/mark