Meet Our Technology Master Teachers

The Instructional Technology Department is pleased to announce USD 259's Technology Master Teachers! These teachers were selected to participate in this program from over 60 applicants.

The goal of the Technology Master Teacher Initiative is to build expertise and training capacity for the instructional uses of technology in Wichita Public Schools. Master Teachers will receive extensive training on integrating technology-rich lessons into the classroom, and maximizing interactive technology to increase student achievement.  The participants will in turn facilitate training to others in their school and throughout the district. 

Liz Bayless - Assistive Technology Teaching Specialist
As a speech-language pathologist for the Wichita school district, I have worked in the elementary and secondary settings. I have especially enjoyed working with students with autism and incorporating technology in therapy as a means of increasing communication among students with this disability. This is my second year in the Assistive Technology department of Special Education serving K-12 interrelated classrooms. It brings me great satisfaction to help students with disabilities access the school curriculum in a form that's meaningful to them. My husband, Craig, and I have a son who is a sophomore in college and a daughter who is a senior in high school.
Favorite Piece of Technology: I love my iPhone. At first, I hesitated purchasing one thinking I wouldn't use it that much. Then, my husband surprised me at Christmas with one and now I can't live without it! Besides keeping me entertained, it helps keep my life organized and I've even had several opportunities to use it with students.

Jocelyn Black - Park Elementary
My name is Jocelyn Black and I am a 3rd grade teacher at Park Elementary. I am a Wichita native and a USD 259 graduate. My interests include playing sports, spending time with my friends and family, and watching WSU basketball games. I also love traveling. I spent 7 months living in France learning about their language, culture, and educational system. Using technology in the classroom is also a passion of mine!
Favorite Piece of Technology: I love my SMART Board!!!

Pam Braden - Jardine Technology Magnet
Teaching for fifteen years now I’ve done it all from Pre-K to grade 8. My first students at age three are now off to college to date. For six years now, I’ve been wandering Jardine’s halls. I like to read, write and shop at different malls. Language Arts is what I teach. I’ve looped this group from 6th to 7th hoping many hearts and brains I’ll reach.
Favorite Piece of Technology: SMART Board, I especially love hiding text and details from my students.

Joshua Lee Ehret - Brooks Technology and Arts Magnet
This is my third year teaching United States History at Brooks Technology and Arts Middle School. My favorite places to be are; in my home, on the beach, in a wood shop, at church, or on the golf course with my friends and family. I earned my Bachelor’s of Education while playing soccer at Bethany College, and I’m currently working on a Master’s of Instructional Design and Technology from Emporia State University. My life motto is “You Only Live Once!”
Favorite Piece of Technology: My favorite piece of technology would have to be clickers. I love how the clickers create competition among the students and motivate them to learn. The instant feedback a student obtains and the data an educator receives when checking for understanding cannot be beat!

Jenny Farha - Price-Harris Communications Magnet
Howdy! This is my 3rd year teaching 4th grade at Price-Harris Communications Magnet. I absolutely love my job and wouldn't do anything else. My kids are thrilled to use any technology we can get our hands on! Outside of school, I have a huge obsession with my 10 month old daughter, Georgia Ruth, and my wonderful husband, Aaron. Check out my class webpage!
Favorite Piece of Technology: The internet???? :) I know, I know...that's a lot of stuff. My favorite right now would be Wiki's. I love the global collaboration.

Kristin Ford - Benton Elementary

K-kids are my business
R-report to work at Benton Elementary
I-into shopping and scrapbooking
S-second Grade
T-two daughters
I-integrates technology
N-never misses a KU basketball game!

Favorite Piece of Technology: I can't possibly pick one favorite piece of technology! My top five are: computer, SMART Board, jump drive, cell phone, and projector.

Kelli Frazier - Pleasant Valley Middle School
I am a third-year teacher at Pleasant Valley Middle School. I teach 6th and 8th grade Social Studies. I came to teaching later in life after 15 years in advertising and marketing and six years in fundraising. In 2006, I joined the Transition-to-Teaching program at WSU and began teaching. I will complete my Master of Arts in Teaching next May and cannot wait!
Favorite Piece of Technology: Probably the Internet - there are so many incredible options out there to use for anything you can imagine - both personally and for my students. My second-favorite would have to be my iPod Touch - I carry around all my music, podcasts, TEDTalks videos and tons of fun apps all the time.

Tiffany Lee - Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet
This is only my second year in the district. I have spent both years teaching 3rd grade at Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet.
Favorite Piece of Technology: Every piece of technology is my favorite!

Erin Lewis - Hyde International Studies Magnet
I am a third grade teacher at Hyde International Studies and Communications Magnet. My professional interests include integrating technology, student engagement, cooperative learning, and conceptual mathematics. I love to teach because every, single day brings new adventures. I also love seeing the look on a child's face when they've mastered something new! I received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University (Go Wildcats!!!). In May I will finish my Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology from Emporia State University. In my free time I love to decorate, shop, bake, workout, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family.
Favorite Piece of Technology: My favorite piece of technology are our laptop computers. I love giving my students a chance to do projects with various programs on the computers, such as Windows Movie Maker and Publisher. I also like creating WebQuests for my students to explore. My *newest* favorite piece of technology are my set of ipods. My students have been practicing their fluency on these ipods, as well as listening to books on tape.

Mary Meloni - Kelly Liberal Arts Academy
I am a teacher, first and foremost, with a very diverse teaching background. I have taught students in different states and have taught all elementary grades except for second. I've also worked in education in the private sector as an education administrator in an Archaeological and Native American museum in Connecticut. My hobbies include art, both collecting and producing, reading, and travel. I have a blog this year that I am using with my students. Please visit us.
Favorite Piece of Technology: I would have to say that the smart board is my most useful piece of technology, but my favorite tool has been the blog. It really motivates students to read, write, and research.

Cathy Morris - Lewis Open Magnet Elementary
I have been bouncing around the district for a very long time and have found myself landing at Lewis Open Magnet this year as the Instructional Coach. I have had the great fortune of working in a number of schools with some great teachers and I'm looking forward to continue training in a new adventure. I am married and have two children, Keenan and Kaley who have made their mamma proud! I enjoy reading, scrapbooking and swimming in all my spare time!
Favorite Piece of Technology: My NEW favorite is the flip camera. I have been video taping lessons in the building, projects the students present and working with the students so they can film their own projects. OK, I also am having fun with the document camera - what great and invaluable technology!

Jennifer Nicholson - L'Ouverture Computer Technology Magnet
My name is Jennifer Nicholson and I am a Technology Integration Specialist at L'Ouverture Computer Technology Magnet School. I provide tech support and technology education to the staff and students at L'Ouverture. Dark chocolate and Diet Coke will move an issue or lesson to the top of my list and calling me a "tech person" will move it to the bottom (just kidding...sort of). I am very blessed to get to do what I love every day, teach and work with ever changing technology. When I'm not teaching, I am a wife to Philip, a mom to Bella, Gabby, and Lainey Lu, and a crafty chick. Check out my website.
Favorite Piece of Technology: My laptop is my favorite because with out my laptop I couldn't use any of my other favorite pieces of technology.

Kari Oeser - Hadley Middle School
I have been teaching for 15 years, grades 4-8, all subjects with a focus in Math. I have two great children and look forward to teaching them a thing or two about technology before they have the chance to teach me for a change. My son attends the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and my daughter is part of the Army National Guard stationed in Wichita, KS, and is working toward a degree in Interior Design. Our favorite magazine is GEEK--they have really fun stuff!
Favorite Piece of Technology: Currently my favorite piece of technology is the AverVision Document Camera(aka ELMO). We have had fun showing our work--in progress, capturing images in experiments, video editing stories, and other things. It is versatile and offers a wide variety of student-centered activities.

Heath Peine - Heights High School
I am in my sixth year of teaching high school in USD 259 and my first year at Heights High School. During that time I have primarily taught special education science with some history, math, and regular education P.E. classes thrown in! In addition to teaching, I have also coached track and football. I really enjoy using a variety of technology and media in the classroom.
Favorite Piece of Technology: My favorite piece of technology changes all the time as new tech comes out all the time and people find new ways to use old tech. Right now I’m enjoying the many products offered by Google.

Tana Ruder - Marshall Middle School
I am current teaching ESOL Math at Marshall Middle School. I am also a physicist and chemist. I am a pioneer in the field of radioactivity. I am the first person honored with two Nobel Prizes, and also the first female professor at the University of Paris.I was born Maria Skłodowska in Warsaw,Poland, and I lived there until I was 24. I followed my elder sister, Bronisława, to study in Paris. This is where I obtained my higher degrees and conducted my subsequent scientific work. My achievements include the creation of a theory of radioactivity, (a term I coined,) techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes, and the discovery of two new elements, polonium and radium. It was also under my personal direction that the world's first studies were conducted into the treatment of neoplasms (cancers), using radioactive isotopes.
Favorite Piece of Technology: Cell Phone -- hopefully it can become an integral part of classroom technology in the future and not just something stored in the students' pockets.

Jennifer Sissell - Northwest High School
¡Hola! I teach Spanish at Northwest High School, my alma mater. My students learn the phrase ¡Todo es posible en la clase de español! (Anything is possible in Spanish class!) the first week of school, then spend the rest of the year trying to use it against me. I love witnessing my students use Spanish, especially on Facebook. This is the first year I've had a wikispace. Check it out!
Favorite Piece of Technology: I could not live without my LCD projector & am exploring uses for a Smart board.

Kat Travis - Buckner Performing Arts Magnet Elementary
Hi! My name is Kat Travis, I am a fifth grade teacher at Buckner Performing Arts Magnet. I am originally from LA California where I was an Engineering Designer before I had kids. I chose to be teacher because it was the one career where I could use all of my talents in a positive way. I have a Master's degree in Elementary Education and have been teaching for 7 years. In my free time I play guitar with my husband in a 60's folk-rock band.
Favorite Piece of Technology: I am enjoying designing lessons for the SMART board. I have always been interested in designing games and other teaching aides.