Our vision is to transform, support and personalize learning for teachers and students using technology.  

Instructional Technology Specialists (ITS) provide on-site and on-demand assistance for fellow teachers to create different forms of learning and teaching with the help of technologies. ITS strive to enhance student learning by leading teachers in the application and best practices of established and emerging tools. When ITS are carefully chosen and utilized properly, they can be more effective in helping teachers integrate technology into daily teaching and learning than any other form of professional development. The purpose of the ITS is to provide assistance to teachers with the integration of technology, support curriculum development as it relates to instructional technology, and train teachers to use technology in the most appropriate and effective manner.  When choosing an ITS, an administrator should use the standards, qualifications, and attributes listed below as a guide. These standards and elements are derived from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for Coaches.

ISTE Standards for Technology Coaches

1. Visionary Leadership
2. Teaching, learning, and assessment
3. Digital learning environments
4. Professional development and program evaluation
5. Digital citizenship
6. Content knowledge and facilitate professional growth 

Core Responsibilities of an ITS
ITS day to day responsibilities require elements of each of these roles: teacher, leader, communication specialist, problem-solver, and crisis manager. The ITS is the first contact in the school for all troubleshooting issues and therefore must be adept at solving technical problems.  When the ITS can efficiently and effectively handle these issues, he or she can concentrate on collaborating with teachers, modeling instructional strategies, supporting best practices in standards-based classrooms, and developing instructional resources. The focus of the work of the ITS is to directly impact instruction by integrating technology. 

Tasks
ITS must balance priorities and initiatives from multiple sources, including both district and school level administrators. Common tasks performed by ITS include the items listed below.

• Collaborate with teachers to create rigorous, standards-based lessons based on school data
• Design and lead professional learning that is relevant and hands-on
• Complete classroom walk-throughs and provide feedback to guide teachers toward transformational uses of technology
• Co-teach to model transformational uses of technology
• Support the Responsible Use Guidelines
• Seek ways to learn new educational ideas
• Maintain high expectations for students and teachers
• Provide support to students, parents, and teachers in use of various software programs and digital resources
• Act as a liaison between county and school
• Communicate and guide school towards district vision and initiatives
• Include district technology staff when planning school-based technology initiatives
• Share school needs and obstacles
• Convey reasoning behind district decisions to school leaders
• Contribute to the FCS ITS community
• Share school success via social media, at conferences, and other avenues 
• Train New Teachers (TONE)
• Manage and promote school technology resources and inventory
• Perform basic troubleshooting

ITS Specific Information
Each ITS holds a valid Georgia teaching certificate and is a veteran classroom teacher. He or she has experience using a wide variety software and hardware as a classroom teacher and in preparing and conducting technology-related professional learning classes.  The ITS is innovative in the way he or she integrates technology to enhance the educational process. 

ITS day to day responsibilities require elements of each of these roles: teacher, leader, communication specialist, problem-solver, and crisis manager.   The ITS is the first contact in the school for all troubleshooting issues and therefore must be adept at solving technical problems and dealing with some network administration tasks.  When the ITS can efficiently and effectively handle these issues, he or she can concentrate on collaborating with teachers, modeling instructional strategies, supporting best practices in standards-based classrooms, and developing instructional resources.

The ITS is a leader in the building and in the district.  ITSs serve as the conduit for planning, communicating and achieving district initiatives and should therefore be a member of the school’s leadership team.