She Snoops for Scoops: The Personal Side of the EdNET Community
She Snoops for Scoops: The Personal Side of the EdNET Community
Vicki Smith Bigham — Friday, November 18, 2011
Happy end of another busy week! Fall is in the air here, and I am looking forward to the weekend. As you wind down and head towards the weekend, first check out the news—there are things you will want to know....
Raise a toast....
This week marked the 90th annual observance of American Education Week, a time to honor students' hard work to learn; recognize the professionalism and dedication of teachers, support staff and other educators; thank parents and members of the community who help students succeed; and rededicate the community at large to quality public education for every student. This is our community's work and our passion!
New hires at ASCD
ASCD has announced two new staff appointments. Megan Wolfe has joined ASCD as the association's new manager of public policy-advocacy, and Lori Schulman has joined the association as general counsel.
In her new role as manager of public policy-advocacy, Megan advances ASCD's legislative agenda with lawmakers and others on Capitol Hill and at the Department of Education. Most recently, she served as government relations manager for the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, coordinating and leading that organization's federal advocacy efforts, including their annual lobby day, public policy agenda, and state affiliate advocacy efforts. She also served as manager of legislative affairs for a Fortune 500 firm and as a staff member for the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Lori, in her new role as ASCD's general counsel, leads the organization's recently established legal department and provides risk management and strategic guidance on a variety of association initiatives. She was most recently the sole proprietor of Schulman Legal Services, PLLC, where she counseled small businesses and nonprofit organizations in trademarks, copyrights, Internet law, general business matters and more. She is a former board member of the International Trademark Association and former advisor to the Public Interest Registry. She also served as counsel for AOL and March of Dimes and was a former attorney-advisor for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Congratulation to Megan and Lori on joining the terrific ASCD team!
And Follett Corporation has named Tom Schenck to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of the recently formed Follett School and Library Group (FSLG), effective earlier this year. Reporting to Follett Corporation President and CEO Chuck Follett, Tom is responsible for a group of businesses serving over 60,000 primary and secondary education customers in the domestic and international markets. The businesses include Follett Educational Services, Follett Library Resources, BWI, Follett Software Company and Follett International. Prior to his promotion, Tom was president of Follett Technology Solutions and International Group, which is now part of FSLG. He began his career in 1989 as the Senior R&D leader for CD-ROM Development at Follett Software Company. In 1995 he was promoted to Executive Director of Development and held that position until 1998 when he was promoted to President of Follett Software Company. During his tenure as President of Follett Software Company, he led the development and introduction of the award winning and market leading Destiny® library and school asset management product line. Tom was also responsible for a number of school and library business acquisitions, including X2 Development Corporation and its popular Student Information System solution, AspenTM. Prior to his 22-year career with Follett, he co-founded Library Systems and Services, Inc., a company that specialized in developing public library automation software. Beginning in 1985, Tom held a number of software development roles at The Library Corporation, where he was named Director of Research and Development in 1987. He graduated from the Computer Learning Center in 1979 and has completed numerous advanced computer science and business management classes at American University, George Mason University, and the University of Maryland. He attended the Executive Development Program at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, where he is recognized as a Kellogg Executive Scholar in Leadership and Management. Tom is so bright and insightful and a very nice man—join me in congratulating him on this wonderful promotion!
In the news....
The Room to Read team has had nice press coverage in recent weeks in The New York Times by acclaimed journalist Nicholas Kristof. They were honored to have Mr. Kristof visit their projects in Vietnam and thrilled that he was inspired to share his experience with his readers. If you have not seen the columns, please check out "His Libraries, 12,000 So Far, Change Lives", which celebrates Room to Read's achievements—including their 10 millionth book milestone, unique history and astronomical rise in growth since their founding, and "Girls Just Want to Go to School", where Mr. Kristof introduces us to Phung, an incredible girl enrolled in Room to Read's Girls' Education program in Vietnam who, with the support of her father, goes to great lengths in pursuit of her education. Congratulations to the Room to Read team on their important work.
A new book!
Tom Vander Ark, CEO, Open Ed Solutions, was kind enough to send me a copy of his new book, Getting Smart: How Digital Learning Is Changing the World. I had the opportunity to read the draft prior to publishing, and it is a terrific read. It focuses on challenges facing our U.S. education system but outlines solutions and opportunities in front of us through digital learning. Tom says, "I've never been so optimistic about the contribution the private sector can make over the next few years." Check out the book, available on Amazon, and let Tom know your own thoughts on the topic at tvanderark@openedsolutions.com.
And a new baby....
Judy Campbell, Business Coach and Owner of Judy Campbell & Associates, LLC, sent the most adorable picture of her new grandson, Patrick Bowen Campbell, who was born on the 11th. He weighed 8 lbs., 5 oz and was 22.5" long. He is a real cutie! And in more news from Judy, her daughter Maura passed the bar in Massachusetts and is getting sworn in at Faneuil Hall today. What a lot to be thankful for! Send congratulations to Judy on all of her happy news at judycampbell@rcn.com.
As we move into Thanksgiving week, I am thankful for so many things—my family, my friends and colleagues, my work, my faith, my freedom and my country—and for so many of you who I am blessed to know personally and others with whom I have connected via conferences, e-mail, and phone and still others who follow the "scoops" and are part of our EdNET extended community. I am blessed by each of you and your contributions to the education industry and especially blessed by your friendship. One of our blessings this weekend will be hosting the birthday party for granddaughter Makenzie, who turns 2 today—I can't wait! Then George and I will be cooking for all of our Houston-based family (four generations!) and looking forward to the celebration and being together. I hope each of you have a very special and safe Thanksgiving. Then many of you will be heading to New York City at the first of the month for the week's activities! I am passing this year, as there is just too much going on here that needs attention, but I will be anxious to hear your scoops from the week. My best to each of you - Vicki, the Snoop
