Ellen Barnhizer, Springfield Local Schools’ district library media specialist, has earned certification as a district/ building ICoach from INFOhio, Ohio’s PreK-12 digital library. The certification requires more than 15 hours of group training and individual study, which was completed on her own time this past summer. ICoaches–short for “integration coaches”–work with teachers to incorporate digital technology and research tools in their classrooms. Mrs. Barnhizer joins 370 other educators throughout Ohio who have received the certification.
Dana Falkenberg, director of 6-12 curriculum, instruction and assessment, and Taryn Miley, director of PreK-5 curriculum, instruction and assessment for the school district shared, “Ellen is definitely a building leader. Taking personal time to learn more about these digital tools will directly and positively affect the quality of instruction our students receive.” “District/Building ICoaches are a linchpin in promoting INFOhio’s free resources and services to educators across the state,” said INFOhio’s Executive Director Theresa Fredericka. “An ICoach has first-hand experience with the demands classroom educators face along with boundless curiosity about the newest educational technologies. And they love to share their excitement.”
For more than 20 years, INFOhio has provided online digital resources to Ohio’s PreK-12 schools and is one of the country’s largest library and information networks. In addition to library software group licensing and support, INFOhio provides a collection of online academic research databases to all PreK-12 students and their families as well as classroom information technology and curriculum support to educators.
