Frank Watson Award

Since 2005 Vita-Learn has been annually awarding such individuals with the Frank Watson Award. Frank Watson is an educational technology advocate who has been involved in education for over 50 years. Frank served as Executive Director of the Vermont Institute for Science, Math, and Technology (VISMT), Executive Director of VITA-Learn, and directed the University of Vermont College of Education Information Technology Program. Now retired, he continues to advocate for the best in education practice.

Edith Fogarty is this year’s Frank Watson Honoree. She is an outstanding example of how effective and inspiring local, state, and regional technology leadership is solidly rooted in classroom practice. As a social studies teacher for 11 years and then as Bradford Elementary School’s Technology Coordinator for the past 13, she has created engaging and scaffolded units infused with technology for her students and fellow teachers. 

Edith has a keen sense of where technology is going to take us. Early on, she became a Google Certified Trainer, a certification she has held for over 10 years. She has used her Google mastery locally by advocating for and developing districtwide trainings for teachers, which were vital in getting Orange East Supervisory Union through the Covid years. Regionally, she has served as a co-leader of Google Education Group New England for the past 3 years, coordinating monthly newsletters and mini-trainings to help others level up their Google game. She presents annually at state and regional conferences, including Vermont Fest and Dynamic Landscapes, and she encourages the classroom teachers she supports to do the same. 

You probably recognize her name from the IT-List Serve, especially from times when we all, statewide, wondered what in the world to do with a new initiative (SBAC and VT-CAP, anyone?). 

One of her colleagues shared, “I have worked with Edith for 12 years in my role as the technology integrationist at Newbury Elementary School, the sister school of BES. Unfailingly, I have borrowed her ideas for thoughtful and engaging classroom integration. I’ve attended her cutting edge regional trainings. I’ve relied on her collaboration to achieve our ISTE Certifications together. Locally and regionally, Edith makes tech integration a welcoming place for the inexperienced, an inspirational challenge for the middling, and an innovative joy for those willing to do a deep integration dive with her. No one gets left behind. Everyone is met where they are at. That is the heart and soul–the purpose–of successful technology integration.”

This fall, Edith Fogarty has taken on the position of interim principal at Bradford Elementary School. This is the natural progression of Edith’s leadership and dedication to students, classroom teachers.

ISTE Making IT Happen Award

The ISTE Making IT Happen Award honors visionary educators and leaders who empower learners and solve tough problems in education. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment, leadership, courage, and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities.  

Since its inception in 1995, more than 800 educators from around the world have received this award. Awardees are selected by a panel of experts and are recognized for their innovative practices, impactful projects, and dedication to student success.  

Making IT Happen awardees receive the coveted Making IT Happen jacket, an award certificate, a one-year ISTE membership, recognition within ISTE, and an invitation to the awards celebration at the ISTE conference.

This year’s honoree, Adam Brua, is a grade 3-6 technology teacher at the Rutland Intermediate School. He is worthy of the ISTE Making IT Happen Award for outstanding contributions to technology integration and direct technology instruction in education. He contributes to learning in Vermont, as he has presented about robotics and artificial intelligence at Vermont Fest and Dynamic Landscapes. This educator has actively participated in the ISTE GM AI program, receiving advanced training and co-presenting at ISTE conferences on artificial intelligence in the classroom. Adam has been instrumental in piloting the ISTE elementary AI curriculum alongside his technology director and produced an impactful film this year for ISTE, showcasing the role of AI in modern education. Licensed in K12 technology integration, he uses his expertise to create innovative, technology-rich learning environments that foster the ISTE Standards for Students. His commitment to developing creative, technology-rich learning environments ensures students are well-prepared for a digital future, making him an exemplary candidate for this prestigious award.