Chris Stephenson

Hailing from Northern Ireland with over twenty years experience in education, I started my career teaching Geography on the Peace Line in Belfast, Northern Ireland having graduated from The Queen’s University of Belfast with Geography and Education PGCE. My interests in technology began early in my career and after two years in the classroom, I went back to The University of Ulster to study for a Diploma in Computers in Education (which, in the 90’s were VERY different today and the reason why I know HTML!) I had an opportunity in 1999 to cut my teeth as a project manager on a pioneer video conferencing web technology project with the National University of Ireland as part of the Peace Process. However, a longing for adventure brought my techie husband and I, to the United States in 2003 where I wrote and taught a global studies curriculum in North Carolina as part of the Visiting International Faculty Program. In 2007, I joined the faculty at Atlanta International School, Georgia, where I taught Geography and History in the International Baccalaureate Programme. As an early adopter school with students using laptops, I started to migrate my classroom to a paperless learning environment for students 6 through 12 using Google Apps for Education. An opportunity for me to continue this work and formalize my learning by completing a Masters Degree in Instructional Technology at Kennesaw State, graduating as Outstanding Graduate Student in May 2015. Combined with volunteer work as a consultant for the International Baccalaureate Organization as a workshop leader, developer, consultant, and school accreditation assessor, my work in teaching adult pedagogy took on a higher elevated role and the value of incorporating blended learning strategies to supplement the short face-to-face conferences for learning elevated.

In 2015, I was invited to join the Saint Edward’s School community as their Director of Academic Technology, PreK – 12. Colin and I jumped at the chance to exchange the traffic of ATL for the A1A. With a genuine passion for the refinement of the practices of professional instruction using technology tools, I am continuing my journey of discovery and lifelong learning and share, collaborate and inspire teachers, students and communities as they navigate a rapidly changing world.
I’m a self-confessed tech geek, furmom, avid runner and coffee and craft beer aficionado. Follow me on Twitter @geographywee