Serving as the Chief of Product Innovation is a dream come true for Jill. She is known for her strong skill set in leveraging technology in the classroom to facilitate high levels of student engagement, and with a background in Computer Science and Engineering, this role allows Jill the opportunity to marry her passions: technology and learning.
With almost two decades spent in product implementation and user research, Jill leads product strategy, innovation, and development. The belief that drives her work is that any individual can learn his or her way through any challenge and come out on the other side stronger, and once learners believe that, they will have the confidence to take on anything. Jill feels it is our responsibility, as educators, to create opportunities for students to develop a growth mindset and other Life Ready Skills, so they are confident taking on challenges, whether it’s an assignment on a new topic or something life-changing, such as escaping poverty. As the Chief of Product Innovation, she is able to create these opportunities through relevant, actionable products that drive Life Ready learning. She uses real-time feedback from educators and learners to direct her team to provide the products that will meet the most critical needs in the classroom.
Prior to joining e2L, Jill held leadership positions in DFW area school districts. In her first experience with student-driven learning, Jill was continually blown away by the impact this made on students. The learners grew into empowered, proactive problem solvers with communication skills that could match many adult professionals. The students also collaboratively worked together, just like in a modern workplace – truly Life Ready! Once Jill experienced this culture of learning, it ignited her passion, and there was no turning back. She was inspired to spread the word and grow kids on a larger scale through district leadership positions that eventually led to her current role with e2L.
Working with districts to strategize, problem-solve, and design for innovation is extremely rewarding. Jill loves knowing that more and more students will become Life Ready through the vision each local district defines for its community. Jill believes wholeheartedly that there is no better way to create a better tomorrow than by empowering kids, and she wakes up every day feeling thankful that she gets to do this work.
Key e2L Projects
- Alamo Heights ISD
- Arlington ISD
- Dallas ISD
- Denton ISD
- El Paso ISD
- Keller ISD
- Lubbock ISD
- McKinney ISD
- Region 11
- Rio School District (CA)
Career Highlights & Experience
- Collaborates with district executive staff on strategy, decision-making, and planning for technology rollouts
- Strategically designs implementation plans to ensure sustainability of the district’s Learning Framework and ROI on technology investment
- Facilitates strategic design committees in design of long-range plans for technology and learning
- Led principals on long-range transformation planning aligned with New Vision for Public Education in Texas and Texas High Performance Schools Consortium efforts
- Developed curriculum to support teacher, leader, and coach growth in best practices using eGrowe processes
- Leads the design, development, and implementation of eSuite
- Provided coaching for district/campus administrators, coaches, and teachers
- Led Arlington ISD Instructional Technology Department team in executing district vision, transforming professional development, and supporting the growth of 74 campuses and 64,000 students
- Designed and implemented the Transformation through Innovation (TI) Grant Program, which supported innovative approaches to student-driven learning
- Consults with architects on the philosophy and design of learning spaces for collaboratively-focused campuses
- Led planning of Arlington ISD’s first virtual learning program
- Was selected as one of 50 educators across the continent to participate in the Google Teacher Academy and become a Google Certified Innovator
- Facilitated the Irving2India global partnership between Irving ISD and Surana School in Chennai, India, including designing and leading a virtual robotics competition
- Designed and implemented an inquiry-based summer school STEM robotics program
- Collaborated on the opening of a new net-zero middle school that would employ the e2L Learning Model
- Designed and implemented iPad deployments of up to 15,000 devices for learners
- Transformed Irving ISD’s student broadcasting program into a digital streaming service with virtual studios, allowing students to collaborate with industry-grade tools
- Led Irving ISD to become the #1 district in the state in LMS platform usage
- Supported implementation of project-based learning model as a founding staff member of New Tech High @ Coppell
- Started the NTH@C TechForce program for learners who served the technology needs of a 1:1 campus as on-demand technology support staff
- Invited presenter at local, state, and national conferences, including SXSWedu, ISTE, TCEA, Tech & Learning’s Tech Forum
Education & Certifications
- M.Ed. Instructional Technology | Sam Houston State University
- B.S. Computer Science & Engineering | University of Texas, Arlington
- Texas Certified Teacher
- Google Certified Innovator
- Lean Project Management Certification
- Certified Transformation Coach
- Certified Instructional Leadership Development (ILD) and Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS)
- National Council for Digital Citizenship
- Consortium of School Networking (CoSN) Participatory Learning Advisory Committee
- Tech & Learning Tech Forum Advisor
- Levels of Teaching Innovation (LoTI) Certified Mentor
- Texas Virtual School Network Certified Online Instructor