Montverde Academy appoints a new director to the Educational Technology and Innovation Center (ETIC), Dr. Caryn Long Middle School Science teacher and STEM SAC coordinator. The director of the ETIC provides proactive, collaborative leadership in the identification, development, implementation, and calling of innovative solutions aimed to increase student engagement and achievement.
“This is an amazing opportunity to build a new program for Montverde Academy from a foundational level,” said Dr. Long after accepting the position. “I have always been passionate about impacting a student’s education as deeply as possible and now I will have the opportunity to do so for the entire MVA student and faculty population. I’m tremendously excited to be able to establish the Innovation Center as a world-class program for our school.”
Dr. Long has worked with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for several years as a liaison with educational institutions around the nation. She earned a doctorate degree in Educational Technology from Oklahoma State University, where she served as an educational liaison between NASA Explorer Schools, Langley Research Center, and the Stennis Space Center. She holds numerous publications and awards throughout her career, including six combined awards of ‘Who’s Who Among American Women and Teachers’, multiple Teacher of the Year awards, and more.
“When I graduated with my Ph.D. in Educational Technology, it was an opportunity to expand my reach of high-quality instructional practices to students,” said Dr. Long. “This center provides a chance to dream big for all of us and to incubate those ideas to nurse them to reality.”
Although Dr. Long officially begins her position at the ETIC on July 1, 2022, her involvement in the process will set an operational plan for the facility as well as be part of the creative process. “I am grateful to all of the MVA community for their confidence in my skills to lead in this position and am looking forward to working with everyone on campus to support their goals to integrate educational technology and innovation throughout the curriculum,” said Dr. Long. The Academy will continue to work on the ETIC throughout the year and is expected to become fully operational during the summer.
