The Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board of Education at its May 19 meeting approved the appointment of Mary Jane Warden as the new Director of Innovation and Instructional Technology effective July 1. Warden is replacing the current Director of Technology, Dr. Terri Bresnahan, who is leaving District 64 on June 30 to become Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Berkeley School District 87.
According to District 64 Superintendent Philip Bender, “The new title reflects the evolution of technology’s role into an integrated resource to support student learning.” Some of the position’s other responsibilities also have been re-aligned to reflect this emphasis, he noted.
“Ms. Warden’s hands-on experience in implementing a 1:1 learning initiative – which District 64 has approved for the 2014-15 school year – as well as her deep understanding of using technology to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of all learners set her apart from other candidates,” Dr. Bender remarked. “Her work supporting teachers with professional development in instructional best practices and technology integration tools also is an excellent fit for District 64 as we continue our intense focus on these areas,” he added.
Warden most recently served for two years as technology coordinator for the Northern Suburban Special Education District, which serves 18 member districts in the northern suburbs to provide programs and services to students with a wide range of special needs. Previously, she was Director of Technology for eight years in Lincolnwood School District 74, where she successfully implemented a 1:1 mobile learning environment and also provided a wide range of technology support services.
In addition, Warden also has experience at the high school level, serving for three years as Maine East’s building technology coordinator. She began her career in the Chicago Public Schools, spending five years as a grades 7-8 language arts, reading and social studies teacher before shifting to a learning technologies post providing technology management and staff development for multiple schools.
A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Warden received her master’s degree in teaching from National-Louis University and her administrative certificate from Concordia University.
Warden was selected through a multi-step process that included interviews by a team of District and building administrators; teachers and staff; a Board of Education member; and incoming Superintendent Dr. Laurie Heinz.