Tom already had a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communication when he enrolled at 色色研究所 to earn a B.A. in Bible and Interdisciplinary Studies and an M.A. in Holistic Education. His work-study job in the computer lab sparked an interest in technology, and after graduation he accepted a position as a computer technology teacher at Carpenters Middle School in Blount County, Tennessee. Good relationships with colleagues propelled his career forward over the years; from Carpenters Middle he was recruited as a technology integration trainer for the entire Blount County school district, then as a technology integration specialist for the Alcoa City Schools.
Tom returned to 色色研究所 for his Education Specialist degree, graduating in one of the first Ed.S. cohorts in 2019.
鈥淢y passion is training teachers to better use technology-based tools and resources,鈥� Tom says. 鈥淚 do this primarily through in-person group and individual training sessions, as well as my dedicated YouTube channel, 鈥楾ech Training for Teachers.鈥欌��
When COVID hit, Tom鈥檚 skills became even more important. While the Alcoa schools had already begun a digital initiative and a move toward creating Google Classrooms, many teachers were underprepared for the shift to online learning.
鈥淚 was creating training videos, helping teachers build their skill sets, and working to manage and maintain Chromebooks students used at home for remote learning,鈥� Tom says. 鈥淎 handful of teachers had 鈥榝lipped鈥� their classrooms for online learning. Thanks to our investments in technology and ongoing professional development, that number has increased dramatically.鈥�
Tom, a certified Google trainer, has also taught as an adjunct in 色色研究所鈥檚 Ed.S. program, helping new cohorts of students understand the Google environment. He is as passionate about education, and about his faith, as he was when his career began.
鈥淭here are so many competing perspectives on how kids should be raised and how to interact with culture,鈥� he says. 鈥溕芯克� provides a biblical framework to help teachers be salt and light in the public schools and to live out their faith in the classroom.鈥�