Mt. Vernon’s Dr. Jack Parker Wins 2024 EdTech Trailblazer Award

Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Jack Parker was recently awarded the 2024 Candice Dodson EdTech Trailblazer Award through the Indiana chapter of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) organization.

Presented by CoSN, a professional organization dedicated to advancing K through 12 educational technology leadership, this award recognizes transformative contributions to technology integration in education. It is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated transformative leadership in integrating technology into education.

Parker has made significant contributions to digital learning at Mt. Vernon through the development of PeDe, an AI chatbot designed to assist school administrators in navigating leadership dilemmas. PeDe offers school leaders a unique role-playing experience where they can describe real-world leadership challenges. The system guides them through relevant board policies, staff handbooks and district regulations, while asking strategic questions based on Mt. Vernon leadership principles such as decision making, ethical conduct and collaboration.

After each scenario, PeDe provides feedback and summarizes key leadership principles that could be applied, fostering leadership growth.

School officials say this tool has been invaluable for building and district administrators, ensuring that decisions are informed by both policy and best practices.

Parker also presented his PeDe program at the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents and the Mid-American Association of School Superintendents conferences.

“Dr. Parker has consistently supported the technology department and our efforts to align initiatives with the district’s strategic goals,” says Mt. Vernon Director of Technology Seth Hamilton. “His focus on thoughtful integration and innovation has encouraged us to find practical solutions that enhance teaching and learning, while providing functional improvements to district processes.”

Hamilton, who nominated Parker for the award, says the PeDe integration is already having a meaningful impact on students, staff and the community.

Parker will be the Indiana Chapter of CoSN’s nominee for the national CoSN and AASA EmpowerED Digital Superintendent of the Year Award, which will be awarded in March.

CoSN represents over 2,050 school districts, reaching over 11 million students. They currently have chapters in 33 states.

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