LINCOLN (SNR) – Carrie Nielsen, mobile integration specialist for the Diocesan Technology Office, was awarded the Nebraska Technology Education Association (NETA) Nebraska Excellence in Leading with Technology Award.
The award is given to recognize and honor an individual who has demonstrated “outstanding achievement in implementing technology to improve teaching, learning or administration.” The contest is open to Nebraska PK–12 public and private school administrators and technology directors and other positions whose primary job role does not include teaching students.
The criteria used to determine the winner included one who positively impacts technology use in teaching, learning and administration; involves the local community; integrates deliberate planning in an effort to improve education through the use of technology and contributes to the profession by presenting and/or publishing.
Nielsen, a wife and mother of four, has been a resident of Plattsmouth since 1995. She started working as a kindergarten paraprofessional at St. John the Baptist School in Plattsmouth in 1999. From 2001 to 2005, she attended night classes to complete her elementary education degree with middle school endorsements in science, physical education, and reading through Peru State College. In 2005, she became the computer, PE, algebra and pre-algebra teacher at St. John the Baptist.
Over the next 12 years, Nielsen saw the introduction of many technological advancements in the school and, to keep pace, said she took almost every training class offered by the technology office. In 2015, she earned her Apple Vanguard Member certificate and added iPad classes to her 4th and 5th grade curriculum. The next year, she became an Apple Vanguard Coach and expanded the iPad program to include junior high students.
In 2017, Carrie was hired as the diocesan integration specialist, and has supported 32 Catholic schools in southern Nebraska. She has been charged with helping teachers to integrate iPads into each school’s specific curricula. She has also been the primary support for two new 1:1 implementations (one iPad for each student).
“Carrie is a source of perpetual enthusiasm and a font of original ideas,” said Sister Mary Kansier, M.S., director of the technology office. “One of her strongpoints is unflagging optimism and enthusiasm for teachers. She has a huge gift of encouraging teachers to grow in their use of technology, regardless of the initial comfort level of the individual.”
Sister Mary said with Carrie’s support, unwilling teachers become eager, and eager teachers become school-level technology leaders.
“She is unfailing in her support of teachers, and this encouragement allows teachers the freedom to try new approaches to technology use in the classroom, with understanding that it is okay if the new attempt doesn’t work perfectly,” she added.
To this end, Nielsen created Teacher Badges, a type of award system that teachers can work toward and receive recognition for seemingly small or otherwise overlooked personal achievements. One example is the Marigold Badge, so named because Marigolds are planted to keep bad things out of a garden – the badge recognizes that the person is consistently positive in their approach to technology and encourages other’s attempts.
“Carrie highly deserves NETA’s Leading with Technology Award,” Sister Mary said.
The technology office held a reception to honor Nielsen Jan. 21 at the John XXIII Center in Lincoln.
