NewsRelease

News Release from ACTEM – December 2010
Sharon Betts

It’s a good thing for Maine that Sharon Betts got to know “The Way Life Should Be.” We would all be at a loss if she hadn’t.

Betts, the Technology Coordinator for MSAD 52 admitted that being in Maine wasn’t a given years ago, as she was honored as the 2010 Technology Leader of the Year finalist at the annual ACTEM awards banquet held at the Augusta Civic Center on October 14.

“About 17 years ago my husband and I were working in Germany and we were sitting around the table trying to decide: East coast? West coast? Hawaii?”  said Betts. “For a lot of reasons we picked the east coast and thus ended up in Maine. We knew it would be a challenge but at that point I really had no idea what “life as it ought to be” really meant.”

What Betts has done for education in Maine can’t be measured. Her achievements and contributions are numerous.

“Sharon is somebody who Walks the Talk,” said Joe Makely, Technology Director of the Portland Schools in his introduction of Betts. “She brings innovation and out of the box thinking to technology solutions that transform the learning process. It’s what we all talk about and it is what she does.”

While schools in Maine face serious budget issues, Betts has been instrumental in finding solutions.  She initiated a consortium for purchasing printing supplies which now boasts extended membership across the state.  Betts led a team that turned a serious roadblock into a major initiative that has benefitted many high school students in Maine. With districts not being able to swing the cost of MLTI expansion to the high school level, Betts and others created a state-wide 1-1 consortium using an open source operating system and applications.

“Sharon has worked to help bring 1-1 to Maine high schools when the alternative would be nothing,” said Makely.  “Using the same Web 2.0 tools, she has helped put NetBooks in the hands of many Maine high schoolers whose districts just could not participate in MLTI.”

Betts is also well known for her forays into the cutting edge of educational technology. As one of the founding members of the summer FOSSED Conference, she has long been part of the open-source movement in Maine.  Sharon presently sits on the board of the Open1to1.org group.

“Sharon is always experimenting,” added Makely.  “Whether with a blog, wikki, a ning, a voice thread or whatever, you can count on Sharon. She’s already done that and you can talk to her and ask what it was like. Sharon is someone you should follow on Twitter.”

She is a Web 2.0 pioneer and carries the torch at every opportunity. When asked about blocking Facebook, she responded, “it would be like banning phones or email.” She is firm in her belief we can’t let the fear and negatives hold us back.

Betts, who has served a variety of districts in Maine over the years brings a leadership style to her position that truly leads.

“Most of us in our positions do have the luxury of sending out memos to others, said Makely.  “For technology leadership in Maine, you have to wash a lot of dishes. You just don’t tell people what to do. Sharon has washed a lot of dishes.”

In addition to leadership and the willingness to always try new things, Betts brings to the table the ability to share it all with others. She has presented at Conferences, in Maine and across the United States as well as working online with educators around the world. She presently represents the state of Maine on the National Forum on Educational Statistics.

“She has kept her blog current for five long years,” said Makely. “It is called Sharon’s Share. And I think that sums up Sharon’s spirit. She shares what she knows and has leavened the leadership not only across Maine but with a constantly growing network of colleagues around the country and internationally. Sharon is not just a leader, but a leader of leaders.”

Did any of us here today realize how important that decision was that was made around that table in Germany so many years ago?