How Personal Professional Growth Can Lead to Systemic Change

Every educator has a turning point. For Dr. Michelle Eckler, the post-pandemic landscape sparked a total career transformation. Dr. Eckler’s story traces a path from the initial ISTE Educator certification, to becoming an ISTE 20 to Watch honoree and, eventually, a Director of Instructional Technology leading the way in her district in the implementation of high-quality technology supported teaching and learning. By sharing the hurdles and triumphs of earning both the Educator and Instructional Leader designations and supporting a local semi-private cohort of educators, this story illustrates how personal professional growth can lead to systemic change.