Leveraging Technology and Data for Teacher Empowerment

In the northwest suburban PreK-8 school district of Illinois, Mary Jane Warden is making waves as the Chief Technology Officer. Her innovative approach to education, particularly in integrating technology, has been transformative.

Mary Jane's journey in education began in Chicago Public Schools, where she started as a seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher. It was during this time that she noticed the potential of technology in the classroom, especially in the early days of the internet. This fascination led her to advocate for bringing the internet to the school she taught at, a move that would eventually revolutionise her students' learning experience.

With the new technology at her disposal, Mary Jane fostered student creativity by having them build websites around mythology. This innovative approach not only enhanced the students' understanding of the subject but also equipped them with valuable digital skills.

Mary Jane is a strong advocate for breaking stereotypes in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She believes that the perception that girls are bad at these subjects is changing more rapidly in edtech. She has been a proponent of providing entry points for women in edtech and has modeled female success in tech while not "shying away from the boys' clubs."

Mary Jane's approach to data in education is practical and accessible. She suggests taking small steps when using data and believes that district leaders should provide data in an easily accessible format for teachers. Teachers, she notes, can use data to figure out what to teach next and why certain students are not performing, as demonstrated by her previous district's approach.

However, Mary Jane's career in edtech has not been without challenges. She has encountered discrimination and sexism throughout her journey. Despite these obstacles, she continues to push for progress, encouraging other women to enter the field and supporting schools in getting online and integrating technology into their teaching.

Mary Jane holds a degree in business and a master's in teaching. Her career change to education came after volunteering as a tutor in Chicago. Today, she is excited about the potential of data to better inform teacher and district leader decisions, and she continues to work tirelessly to bring about positive change in education.