VIRTUAL LEARNING LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Virtual Learning for the Georgia Department of Education
- Director of Virtual Learning for the State of Georgia. Georgia Virtual School
- Executive Director of Virtual Learning for the State of Georgia, Georgia Virtual School
Amanda serves as the Director of Virtual Learning for the Georgia Department of Education, where Amanda oversees the state-led Georgia Virtual Learning programs, including Georgia Virtual School, Georgia Credit Recovery, and Georgia Virtual Professional Learning. Amanda began her education career as a public-school secondary Mathematics teacher in 1997. Georgia Virtual School was founded in 2005 and Amanda joined as an adjunct instructor and content developer in 2006. Amanda has since served as a Mathematics teacher, the Mathematics Department Chair, the Coordinator for Teacher Quality, the Coordinator of Instruction, the Supervisor of Instruction, and the Associate Director of Operations. Leveraging her online teaching and leadership experiences, Amanda seeks out evolutionary practices and transformative educational methods that positively impact online teaching and learning experiences. She is committed to increasing educational equity for all Georgia students and works to increase online and digital learning options and opportunities throughout the state.
Job Titles:
- Director - Office of Virtual Education, VirtualSC
- Director, Virtual South Carolina
Bradley's involvement in the realm of online learning began in 2006, encompassing a diverse array of roles such as teaching, curriculum development, and administration. His initial venture into online learning commenced when he assumed the role of an English educator at Bluffton High School in Bluffton, SC. There, he pioneered the creation and delivery of online courses used by the school and district in a wide variety of innovative methods.
In 2007, as the state's pilot virtual education initiative took off, Bradley transitioned into an adjunct teaching position within the program. With an eye for innovation, he consistently forged ahead by designing online English courses that pushed the boundaries of traditional education. As the program gained traction, Bradley's dedication led him to become the Training Coordinator, responsible for preparing newly recruited virtual teachers with the technical skills and pedagogical methodologies essential for online instruction.
After two years of onboarding and training new online teachers, Bradley took on the role of Team Leader for Online Professional Development. In this position, he steered a program aimed at equipping educators statewide with tools to enhance their classroom techniques through technology integration, while also guiding them through the process of renewing their teaching licenses. Bradley's vision extended to the augmentation of the state's cadre of proficient online educators. He played a pivotal role in formulating the requisites for the state's online teaching endorsement, fostering a broader pool of adept online instructors.
By 2012, Bradley's trajectory culminated in his appointment as the Director of the Office of Virtual Education. In this capacity, he orchestrates the implementation of the state's pioneering virtual school initiative, VirtualSC, alongside the online professional development program, VirtualSC PD. He undertook initiatives to rebrand the virtual school program, concurrently crafting comprehensive outreach and marketing strategies to disseminate program information to schools across the state.
Bradley's academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education English/Communications from Penn State University. He further enriched his educational background by attaining a Master's Degree in Educational Technology from Lesley University.
Job Titles:
- Digital Innovations Lead in the Office of Teaching, Learning and Assessment at the Oregon Department of Education
Carla Wade is Digital Innovations Lead in the Office of Teaching, Learning and Assessment at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Carla has managed the Oregon Digital Learning virtual program since 2015. During her 20+ years at ODE She has provided leadership in technology for learning in Oregon and nationally working with federal grants, STEM, online learning, professional development and creating state technology standards and strategic plans. She also served as a technical advisor to the US Department of Education on digital learning, evaluation, data collection and analysis and EdFact reporting. Carla has been an active member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) serving on the Board of Directors 2006-08 and the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) where she served on the Board of Directors from 2002-2007 and 2014-2020. Carla works collaboratively with partners in Oregon and nationally to build and expand quality education environments where students have equitable access to tools, effective teachers and processes for learning that inspire them to develop college and career ready skills and a desire for life-long learning.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Colorado Digital Learning Solutions
Dan has worked with numerous organizations and projects nationally and in Colorado that directly support teachers and students in the use and implementation of technology including eNetLearning, an organization supported by the Colorado BOCES Association supporting over 150 Colorado school districts. He has also served as the director of Educational Technology and Innovation for the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). Dan has over 45 years of experience in public education and has been a high school math teacher, assistant principal, district technology director, and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver and University of Colorado Denver. He has created and delivered online classes and has been an online facilitator, trainer, and staff developer for a number of educational organizations and foundations.
Job Titles:
- Dean
- Dean, VHS Learning
- Member of the VHS Learning Executive Team
Amy is a member of the VHS Learning Executive Team, and is responsible for ensuring the quality of academic programs at VHS Learning, which includes oversight of curriculum and instruction, development and management of strategic learning initiatives, securing accreditation with state and national agencies, administration of professional development offerings, and strategic planning for the curriculum and instruction team. Amy has been involved with VHS Learning and online learning for more than 20 years; her experience as a student, teacher, and administrator of digital programs brings valuable perspective to the organization. Prior to joining the VHS Learning team, Amy taught chemistry in Westborough, MA.
Job Titles:
- Digital Learning Program Specialist at the Oregon Department of Education
- Digital Learning Program Specialist for the Oregon Department of Education ( ODE )
Allie is a Digital Learning Program Specialist at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) where she supports schools and districts in designing and implementing online learning, hybrid learning, and blended learning with a focus on instructional design and pedagogical approaches. Allie has over 15 years of experience in the field of education having served as an elementary and middle school teacher, an instructional coach, a higher education instructor, and an assistant professor. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Oregon where her research focused on equity issues in education, particularly within the areas of computer science and teacher professional learning.
Job Titles:
- State Director
- State Director, North Dakota Center for Distance Education
Alyssa serves as the North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE) director. From 2007 to 2016, Dr. Martin was the director of Policy Services for the North Dakota School Boards Association. In that role, she developed hundreds of policies for school districts statewide, planned and implemented professional development for school leaders, lobbied on key education legislation, and founded the North Dakota School Business Managers Certification program. She then served as the assistant vice president for Academic Affairs from 2016-2022 at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, where she oversaw regional accreditation, programmatic assessment and evaluation, retention, faculty development, state authorization, and several academic support services. There, she also developed a passion for online education and helping students transition between high school and college. She has translated these passions to lead NDCDE in fulfilling its mission.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Virtual Virginia
- Virginia in 2007 As an Instructor
Dr. Mott joined Virtual Virginia in 2007 as an instructor prior to moving into program administration. Dr. Mott has worked across a wide array of domains, including curriculum and instruction, distance learning, instructional design and technology, and instructional leadership. For over a decade he has worked to design, develop, implement, and administer statewide online courses and program initiatives. He received a Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). He is a father of three fantastic children.
Job Titles:
- CEO / Superintendent, Idaho Digital Learning Alliance ( IDLA )
Dr. Cheryl D. Charlton has had the opportunity to be a part of several great Idaho school districts, beginning in 1989 with the start of her professional career as a principal in the American Falls School District. In 1999 Dr. Charlton held the principal position in the Pocatello School District and in 2005 transitioned to the Twin Falls School District as the Associate Superintendent. In 2008 Dr. Charlton moved to the Treasure Valley where she joined Idaho Digital Learning Alliance and currently serves as the CEO/Superintendent. Some of Dr. Charlton's professional affiliations include Northwest Association of Accredited Schools Board, Northwest Association International Accreditation, National State Virtual School Alliance Board of Directors, iNACOL National Presenter, Idaho Technology Council Board of Directors, Idaho Governors Educational Task Force and she recently received the 2014 Idaho State University Distinguished Leadership Award. Dr. Charlton received her Masters in Education and Doctorate in Education Administration.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, North Carolina Virtual Public School
Dr. Eliz Colbert joined the team at North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) in January 2013 as the Chief of Outreach and Support and later as the Chief of Operations. Dr. Colbert brought her leadership experiences at the school, district, and state level and merged those with existing leadership and learning models already in place at NCVPS. Prior to joining NCVPS, Dr. Colbert served as a building-level principal for nine years Wake County, North Carolina. In addition she worked in professional learning for the Wake County Schools and with the NC Department of Public Instruction. These roles have allowed Eliz to develop a specialty in facilitating and building collaborative teams. Dr. Colbert is a graduate of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and received a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the proud mother of two children who attend NC public schools.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Montana Digital Academy
- Executive Director of the Montana Digital Academy
Dr. Jason Neiffer is the Executive Director of the Montana Digital Academy, Montana's public state virtual school. Jason started as MTDA's first Assistant Director/Curriculum Director in 2010, and leads a team of over 150 teachers building supplemental online education programs delivering over 120-course titles to tens of thousands of students across the State of Montana. Jason is a frequent speaker and trainer on educational technology, teaching social studies and the humanities, online learning design, workflow, artificial intelligence in education, and digital productivity topics. Before working with MTDA, Jason was a veteran classroom teacher with experience in two high schools building thriving programs in history, geography, debate, speech, newspaper production, and computer science.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of NCVirtual
- Executive Director of North Carolina Virtual Public Schools
- Executive Director, North Carolina Virtual Public School
Dr. Murphy has served as the Executive Director of NCVirtual since May 2022. She has worked for the organization since 2014 first serving as the Director of Outreach and Support and most recently as the Chief Operations Officer.
Dr. Murphy is a veteran educator with over 25 years working in K-16 schools. Prior to joining NCVirtual, she served as the Director of Educational Technology and Learning Resources with Johnston Community College and as the Director of Special Projects and Instructional Technology with the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Dr. Murphy has many years of experience in instructional technology, online learning, and program development. Reared in rural eastern North Carolina, she is committed to ensuring all students have options and opportunities to meet their unique needs. She holds a bachelor's degree in business education from North Carolina A&T State University, MBA from UNC-Greensboro, a master's in education-instructional technology from East Carolina University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Director of Virtual Learning & Strategic Planning for Springfield Public Schools
- Director of Virtual Learning for Springfield Public Schools and Launch Virtual Learning
Dr. Nichole Lemmon is the Director of Virtual Learning & Strategic Planning for Springfield Public Schools and oversees Launch Virtual Learning. Following 12 years as a high school teacher, Dr. Lemmon began SPS Online, now Launch, in 2011. With over 120,000 online enrollments annually, Launch serves students K-12 from over 380 school districts across the state of Missouri. With over a decade of online course delivery, Launch courses are designed, developed, and delivered by Missouri teachers, for Missouri students. Launch Virtual Learning received the 2019 K-12 Making a Difference Award from Quality Matters.
Dr. Lemmon is passionate about equity in education and believes this is best achieved by providing all students with access to learning opportunities, no matter their zip code. She is a first-generation college student earning her doctorate in curriculum from Lindenwood University in 2013. Dr. Lemmon was named "20 Under 30" by 417 Magazine in 2010 and "10 for the Next 10" by Biz 417 magazine in 2023. Additional accolades include two honors from the Springfield Business Journal, which named Dr. Lemmon a "40 Under 40" in 2019 and a "Most Influential Woman" in 2020.
Dr. Lemmon serves as the Missouri State Affiliate for the Digital Learning Collaborative and on the Executive Board for the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance.
Job Titles:
- New Mexico Virtual Course Consortium ( NMVC ) Program Coordinator
- Program Coordinator, New Mexico Virtual Course Consortium ( NMVC )
Gina Corliss is currently serving as the New Mexico Virtual Course Consortium ( NMVC² ) Program Coordinator. Launched in August of 2021 this is the first year of the NMVC². Gina was a part of the small team of directors, school leaders, consultants and PED staff that shepherded the project of a supplemental virtual program to meet the needs of the state.
Prior to her work at the NMPED Gina served as the Special Projects Director for Region 9 Education Cooperative where she was the project manager and event facilitator for various state agencies including the NMPED and Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). During her time at Region 9 Gina implemented and directed the Early Childhood Scholarship Program for New Mexico which is still in place and serving Early Childhood scholars across the state.
Also during her time at Region 9 she had the opportunity to implement and expand the WIOA Youth Program across Eastern New Mexico. WIOA builds pathways for at-risk youth to education and employment.
Gina received her undergraduate degree in 2008 from Eastern New Mexico University and has a Master of Science in Leadership and Management from Western Governors University.
Job Titles:
- Director - AP Access for All & Niswonger Online
Job Titles:
- Director of Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative ( VTVLC )
Greg joined Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC) as Director in July 2022. Before joining VTVLC Greg was the Principal of the Greater Commonwealth Virtual School (GCVS), one of two fully online K-12 public schools in Massachusetts for 5 years guiding it through rapid growth in student enrollment and staff. Greg was a high school Mathematics and Computer Science teacher before moving into school administration. He has a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Vermont, an M.Ed. in Mathematics Education from UMass Amherst, and an M.Ed. in Organizational Management from Endicott College.
Holly Brzycki has dedicated her career to online learning and merging her passion for education and technology. Holly has served the education field as a teacher, curriculum director, principal, and supervisor in traditional and cyber schools. Holly is the Supervisor of Online Learning at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit. She oversees the Capital Area Online Learning Association (CAOLA), a consortium of online learning programs for over 150 schools, districts, and Intermediate Units. CAOLA provides quality online learning curricula, educators, and best practices to school entities across PA and leads advocacy for online learning.
Job Titles:
- President and CEO of Michigan
Jamey Fitzpatrick has served as a catalyst for change and a champion of innovation in public education. As both an education and technology policy advocate, Fitzpatrick provides strategic leadership for Michigan Virtual™ - a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that partners with over 500 Michigan K-12 school districts to provide students with high-quality online courses and educators with affordable professional development opportunities - as well as the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute®, a center for online learning research and innovation.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent of Idaho Digital Learning Alliance ( IDLA )
- Superintendent, Idaho Digital Learning
Jeff Simmons is the Superintendent of Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA), Idaho's online supplemental program. IDLA supports all public schools in the state with a mission to provide equal opportunities to all students. Jeff holds an MA in Education Leadership from the University of Idaho, and a BA in Social Studies and English Education from Northwest Nazarene University. Jeff has worked in public education since 2001 and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Idaho, with a research focus on measuring the impact of in-person support provided to K-12 online students.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Wisconsin Virtual School
Jenny Seymour is the Executive Director of Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS), the state of Wisconsin's online supplemental program. Jenny's career in education began in 1997 when she was hired to be a high school English teacher and debate coach. In 2001, Jenny earned her master's degree in Teacher Leadership, and in the years that followed she obtained her Principal licensure. In addition to teaching in a brick and mortar high school, Jenny also taught online courses for her district where she soon realized the opportunities virtual learning provided for students: personalization, time management and communication skills, agency of learning, and immediate feedback from the instructor. Jenny's passion for virtual learning grew, and she soon found herself at the helm of a developing K-12 public, virtual charter school, where she served for 5 years as Principal before joining WVS in 2023 as the Executive Director. Jenny works collaboratively with a tremendous team to support schools and further online learning options for students throughout Wisconsin.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Indiana Online
As the leader of Indiana Online, a program of the Central Indiana Educational Service Center, Kim Hendrick and her team have built a supplemental and full-time online program partnering with over 300 high schools across the state of Indiana with over 33,000+ enrollments and 285 teachers. Kim has over 30 years of professional experience, is a strong leader and change agent with the innovation insight, vision, and enthusiasm necessary to inspire teams. Kim has the vision for growth and development of online education and policy at the state and national levels. She is committed to educational excellence, maintaining exceptional relationships, growing leaders, and working diligently to communicate through many venues in an effort to provide resources to students, educators, and school districts. She serves on the national Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance Board and two committees, is the state affiliate representative for the Digital Learning Collaborative, previously served on the Indiana Connected Educator's Board, and helped facilitate the Indiana eLearning Leadership Cadre with the IDOE from 2014-2019. Kim continues to present at the local, state, and national levels. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master's in Educational Instructional Technology from Indiana University and a Chief Business Officer Certification through IASBO. Connect with her on Twitter @evolvewithkim
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Illinois Virtual School and Academy
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Virtual Arkansas
Mr. John Ashworth is the Director of Virtual Arkansas, a state virtual program providing supplemental online course options to over 220 public school districts throughout Arkansas. Mr. Ashworth graduated with a BS Biology in 2000 from the University of Central Arkansas. After eight years as a science teacher, Mr. Ashworth earned his MS in School Leadership, Management, and Administration and became a building level administrator. He spent seven years as a principal for two Arkansas school districts. After seeing the benefits of online learning and implementing an online learning program at his school, Mr. Ashworth made the jump into online learning and became the Director of Academics for Virtual Arkansas in July of 2015. In January of 2018, Mr. Ashworth was named as the Director of Virtual Arkansas.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director - Wisconsin ESchool Network
- Interim Director, Wisconsin ESchool Network
Sami has been part of the WEN Team since 2014 as the Director of Partner Success, and has been in the role of Executive Director since 2022. Previously, her experience includes the secondary classroom as an English teacher, and a Network Administrator for a school district that also housed a virtual charter school. Sami has a strong passion for digital learning and is dedicated to supporting districts to build options for their students. In her free time she enjoys competing with her husband on the golf course.
Job Titles:
- Program Administrator
- Program Administrator for ACCESS Virtual Learning With Alabama State Department of Education
- Program Administrator, ACCESS Virtual Learning With Alabama State D.O.E
Steve Blair currently serves as the Program Administrator for ACCESS Virtual Learning with Alabama State Department of Education where he coordinates the virtual learning support centers and is the point of contact for principals and counselors for school districts across the state. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, Steve began his 22 years in education where he has served as a middle school social studies teacher, school technology coordinator, district technology instructor, district technology coordinator, and virtual program administrator. Mr. Blair has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Auburn University Montgomery.