Instructional Technology Educating Kids (iTEK)

Apply for iTEK programs here!

iTEK (Instructional Technology Educating Kids) is the umbrella program for the Joplin School District’s three instructional technology professional development programs (see chart below):

TLA (Technology Leadership Academy) -All Regular Classroom Teachers Encouraged to Apply!
Mentors for TLA -For those who have gone through TLA and would like to mentor new members.
CITs (Curriculum Instructional Technologist) (No Applications being taken at this time.)
eJOPLIN (Enhancing Joplin’s Opportunities by Preparing & Leading Instructional Networking systems)
eMINTS (Enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies)
PD4ETS (Professional Development for Educational Technology Specialists)

The iTEK program takes Joplin's current instructional technology programs and expands them to reach more teachers, hence reaching more students. This approach allows us to merge instruction and technology for the common goal of raising student achievement, as stated in the Joplin Board of Education goals. In addition, instructional technology is a critical portion of the MSIP Cycle 4 review, the district CSIP plan, and the district Technology Plan.

The Joplin School Board has approved an expansion of district instructional technology tools and professional development through one of the many iTEK programs – Technology Leadership Academy (TLA). TLA is an articulated professional development program that provides teachers with a strong and consistent pedagogical base using the eMINTS instructional model (inquiry-based teaching powered by technology).

The program accepts approximately 125 teachers per year. By the 2009 school year, every classroom teacher will have a high-end laptop, a Smart Board system, an LCD projector, and award winning eMINTS instructional technology professional development through the TLA initiative.

See image of iTEK Hierarchy below. (Click on image to see a larger version.)