Can we have a real conversation about what it feels like for classroom teachers when an e-learning specialist, full of good intent and ideas, enters their classroom? We’ll be looking at perspectives of both parties, and trying to arrive at a healthy and helpful compromise that best serves teachers and therefore students.

Moderator: Tim Arnold is a District eLearning Specialist with Richmond Community schools in Richmond, IN. Prior to that he was a social studies teacher, coach, and educational leader at Nettle Creek Schools in Hagerstown,IN. Tim was selected as a Top Ten Educator in the State of Indiana in 2008, taught Social Studies methods in the Earlham College Master of Arts in Teaching program, and has presented at multiple local, state and national conferences (ICE, HECC, CanvasCon, InstructureCon, ISTE) on topics he is passionate about including blended learning, student engagement, Canvas, G Suite for Education, and Building Community through VR Tour Creator. Additionally, Tim holds certifications in Technology Leadership (CIESC Cohort 8), Google (Level 1), FlipGrid, and Nearpod and collaborates with @RCSLearn colleagues to host a Twitter chat with over 120 episodes. Tim joined Keep Indiana Learning as a Digital Learning Coach in the fall of 2021. Tim and his wife Julie, a former “rock-star” 6th grade science teacher and current guidance counselor, are graduates of Indiana University (BS ‘90) and Ball State University (MA ‘97), and have two children, Kelsie, a UX Designer in Nashville, TN and Nick, an agronomy specialist with Co-Alliance.Tim’s mantra is to serve others with patient persistence.

Guest Bio: Kevin graduated with a business degree from Miami University in 1998, however, his journey led him to a career in education a few years later. In 2006, Kevin received his certification to teach elementary education from IU East, where he also went on to earn a Master of Science in Education. After teaching 6th grade for a number of years, along with a few other experiences, he became one of Richmond Community Schools’ first eLearning Specialists. In that role, he helped teachers and students learn how to leverage technology to engage, enhance, and extend teaching and learning, as well as provide the necessary experiences to better prepare them for their future. He once again returned to the classroom in 2021 to serve as a 4th grade teacher at Charles Elementary School in Richmond, IN.

Kevin lives in Eaton, Ohio and has been married to his wife Kristin, also an educator, for 13 years. They have two energetic boys, Jaxon (10) and Greyson (5). In his free time, he enjoys running, reading, cooking, and listening to real estate (and real crime) podcasts! Kevin has experienced a great deal of personal and professional growth over the past few years, met some amazing people, and has transformed his view of the role that he can play in education.