Abington School District welcomed new Director of Innovation, Mr. Brandon Lutz, on Monday, March 23, 2020. The Director of Innovation is a replacement to the previous Central Staff position of Director of Technology and Telecommunications.
In addition to leading the Technology Department, Mr. Lutz is responsible for working with the Teaching and Learning Department in the integration of technology in instruction, including being involved with professional development. Mr. Lutz has already participated in several Abington School District initiatives as part of his transition phase, including helping to organize technology instruction for the February 14, 2020 teacher in-service sessions.
The timing of Mr. Lutz’s arrival has proven beneficial to the District, as he has been assisting with the Continuity of Education Plan during the extended school closure, in addition to helping to implement digital resources alongside Mr. Matthew Snead, Abington School District’s Supervisor of Technology.
Prior to joining the Abington School District team, Mr. Lutz worked in the Cheltenham School District, where he served as the Supervisor of Instructional Technology and K-12 Data Analysis since 2016. Previously, he was the Technology Applications Specialist for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit and a Technology Integration Specialist for the School District of Philadelphia.
Mr. Lutz earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Duquesne University, and a Master of Science in instructional technology from Chestnut Hill College, where he also received his certification as an Instructional Technology Specialist.
“Now, more than ever, we are glad to have Mr. Lutz on board to help us plan for, and implement, digital learning opportunities districtwide,” Dr. Jeffrey Fecher, Superintendent of Schools for Abington School District, said. “Mr. Lutz brings with him a skillset and background that has been helpful as we jumped into flexible instruction and online learning sooner than anticipated, due to the closure of schools in Pennsylvania. He is a welcomed addition to our administration.”
Abington School District’s five-year Digital Transformation Plan will enter its second phase in the 2020-2021 school year, which will include implementing a one-to-one Chromebook program for students in grades 10-12. Phase one was implemented in the 2019-2020 school year by providing laptop devices to teachers, which has allowed for technology-focused professional development over the past year, and opportunities for teachers to familiarize themselves with new digital tools and resources available for instruction.
Overall, the goals of the Digital Transformation Plan in Abington School District are to: empower teachers with technology, tools, resources and professional development that promote student learning and engagement, flexibility, and creativity for instruction; empower students by giving them the tools to actively contribute to their own learning experiences; and empower parents/guardians by providing resources and learning opportunities for them to be engaged in supporting their students’ access to, and use of, instructional technologies.
“I am excited to join Abington School District during such an important and influential time,” Mr. Lutz said. “The rollout of this one-to-one initiative over the next few years will be monumental for the students and staff of Abington School District, allowing for flexible, creative and engaging learning experiences.”
The Board of School Directors of the Abington School District approved Mr. Lutz’s appointment at its January 21, 2020 meeting.