As an Innovation Coordinator, Scholes helps teachers integrate technology into their classrooms. Scholes was also the first graduate of the masters of educational technology program at Fairfield SEHD to become (International Society for Technology in Education) ISTE Certified, a highly regarded credential in the field of ed-tech for educators.
Erin Scholes MA’21 is paving the way for educational technology opportunities for middle-school students in the classroom. As an Innovation Coordinator at Beman Middle School in Middletown, Connecticut, Scholes has filled the school’s innovation space with cutting edge educational technology tools such as a 3D printer and virtual reality headset as she collaborates with both students and teachers.
Scholes's approach is inspired by her almost twenty years of classroom experience teaching, and further transformed during her time in the Fairfield University School of Education and Human Developments (SEHD) accredited masters of educational technology degree program. She believes that rather giving the students the answers, “you provide them with the tools to learn.”
Day to day, Scholes works with teachers to weave STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) concepts into their lessons.
“The [educational technology] program taught me how to better teach, teachers,” Scholes shared. Each year, Scholes runs professional development meetings where she aids teachers in how to leverage educational technology tools to enhance learning, such as the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom. This is an ongoing passion and continuation of learning, Scholes shared, as everyday she continues to lean into her willingness to try new technology and gage its impact on student’s learning.
When classrooms shifted to online learning platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, Scholes embraced the challenge of hybrid learning, blending her love of technology with the goal of enhancing education. Educators leaned on Scholes as she took a transformative approach to online learning, and this coincided with Scholes believing that this would be a perfect time to obtain her master’s degree in educational technology, understanding the reliance and importance of tech in the classroom and in online learning modalities.
In addition to coaching robotics outside of work, Scholes also hosts a podcast with a former student, where they explore the intersections of technology, creativity, and education. Scholes also had the opportunity to participate in SEHD’s 2024 Educational Technology Forum, where she presented and networked with other educations. She seeks to continue to be a resource to teachers around the state of Connecticut and beyond on how they can apply these tools in their own classroom.
SEHD’s educational technology program is outcomes focused, providing graduates the opportunity to graduate with ISTE Certification and to embrace the latest digital technology materials through hands-on learning practices.
