Interested in Joining MCS Ed Tech Explorers Learning Academy for Educators for the 2025-26 School Year
MCS IETS Ed Tech & Schoology are excited to offer the Digital Learning Leader Academy for Teachers, Educators, Coaches, Coordinators, Curriculum Specialist, and School Site Administrators with a partnership with Schoology providing the 9-sessions professional learning program.

More information on the session topics: https://mcsedtech.com/academy  
Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u8kZmteZOHeocBAqC7wclL5NLWo2YPP-/view?usp=sharing 

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From MCS Ed Tech Explorers Alumni

After implementing the MCS Ed Tech Explorers program, teachers almost immediately began reporting successes with their technology-enhanced lesson plans. “Month after month, teachers said their students were so much more engaged. They were all surprised at how much more engaged students were,” Ketchum said.   

Eighth-grade science teacher Ashley Zepeda found that as the MCS Ed Tech Explorers program boosted her confidence with technology, that newfound confidence trickled down to her students. “One thing that was noticeable right off the bat was as I became more comfortable using technology, the kids became more confident. That allowed them to go in and start exploring and trying to figure things out for themselves.”

After sixth-grade teacher Karina Velasquez used the MCS Ed Tech Explorers program to revamp an entire science unit on solar power, she noticed an increase in student-driven learning in her classroom. “They really took ownership of that unit,” she said. “As soon as I would say, ‘We’re doing our science unit,’ they were ready to go. I didn’t have to tell them what to do or how to do it. You can see they’re excited about learning.”


Dates and Times 
Session 1 Onsite: 1/24/26 Meeting 6-hour (8:30am-3:30pm) CIPD Room 1*

Session 2 Onsite: 2/7/26 Meeting 6-hour (8:30am-3:30pm)  CIPD Room 1*

Session 3 Asynchronous: 2/20/26 Your own time assigned work 2-hour

Session 4 Synchronous: 3/6/26 Virtual Meeting 2-hour (4 - 6pm) Microsoft Teams

Session 5 Onsite: 3/14/26 Meeting 6-hour (8:30am-3:30pm)  CIPD Room 10 Computer Lab*

Session 6 Asynchronous: 4/3/26 Your own time assigned work 2-hour

Session 7 Synchronous: 4/10/26 Virtual Meeting 2-hour (4 - 6pm) Microsoft Teams 

Session 8 Asynchronous: 4/24/26 Your own time assigned work 2-hour

Session 9 Synchronous: 5/1/26 Virtual Meeting 2-hour (4 - 6pm) Microsoft Teams


* CIPD Room 1 and Room 10 Computer Lab are both located at 1017 Reno Ave, Modesto, Building B

Requirements with Participating 

To participate in the MCS Ed Tech Explorers program for the 2025-26 school year, you must commit to the following:

  1. Write a Post for the Bits and Bytes eNewsletter:
    Share about a tool or ed tech topic you learned in the program. You’ll be paid for your time to create the post, which can be submitted for the August, October, January, March, or May issue. The eNewsletter is published on the 2nd Tuesday of these months, and you are only required to contribute one post.

  2. Host or Present a Training/Session:
    Choose one of the following options, both of which include additional pay for your time:

    • Conduct a 1-hour PD Catalog Partnership Training with our department on a tool or topic from the program. This can be scheduled on a date of your choice during the school year and will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM.
    • Deliver a live or recorded presentation for our How Did They Do That? Live Event. This is a short 15-20 minute presentation held on the first Tuesday of each month, also on Microsoft Teams from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM.

Before proceeding, all ideas for posts, trainings, or presentations must be reviewed and approved by Matthew Ketchum.

If you are interested in joining our MCS Ed Tech Explorers Learning Academy for Educators in the 2025-26 School Year, please complete this online form
First Name *
Last Name *
District Email Address *
School Site *
School Type *
Required
Position *
Why are you interested in this program? *
We have new requirements for participating in MCS Ed Tech Explorers. If you are joining the year long program you must commit to all of the following during the 2025-2026 school year.

To fulfill these two requirements, you must review and obtain approval for your Bits and Bytes post, PD Catalog Partnership Training, and How Did They Do That? Live Event presentation ideas with Matthew Ketchum.  

During the 2025-26 school year, I commit to:

Writing one post for the Bits and Bytes eNewsletter on a tool or ed tech topic learned through the MCS Ed Tech Explorers Program. You will be paid additionally for your time to create the post, which can be submitted for any of the following issues: August, October, January, March, or May (published on the 2nd Tuesday of these months). Only one post is required. *

During the 2025-26 school year, I commit to:

Conducting one of the following:

One PD Catalog Partnership Training with our department on a tool or ed tech topic learned in the MCS Ed Tech Explorers Program. This 1-hour training will be held on a date you choose during the school year from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM via Microsoft Teams. You will be paid additionally for your time.

OR

One Live or Recorded Presentation for the How Did They Do That? Live Event on a tool or ed tech topic learned in the program. This 15-20 minute presentation will occur on the first Tuesday of a selected month from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM via Microsoft Teams. You will be paid additionally for your time.
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