Saint Viator Instructional Technology coordinator honored

Last fall, Maggie Miskowicz, instructional technology coordinator, helped earn Saint Viator its Apple Distinguished School award for its innovative technology programs, and now she is leading the charge to teach coding to all students.

Her efforts are getting noticed. Earlier this week, school administrators learned Miskowicz was named a Local LearningMedia Digital Innovator by PBS.

The honor is more than just a title. Miskowicz now joins a professional development community that PBS officials think will drive student achievement by making innovative use of technology.

Its benefits include a year's worth of virtual professional development opportunities on topics that are trending in technology and 21st century learning. Some of these include digital literacy and citizenship, project-based learning and technology and strategies to promote design thinking.

Miskowicz also has the potential to partner with PBS by attending specific education events in the Chicago area community.

"I am excited because this really reflects our community's commitment to technology in education," Miskowicz says. "Our faculty has done a tremendous job in incorporating tech tools into the curriculum to enhance the learning experience for our students."

Miskowicz joined Saint Viator's staff in the summer of 2013, in advance of the school adopting its 1:1 iPad program and immersing students and faculty into its technology-driven curriculum.

She is a graduate of Wheeling High School and Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, with undergraduate degrees in psychology and education. In her first job out of college as a social studies teacher, Miskowicz began incorporating more and more technology into her classroom.

Her interest led Miskowicz to pursue a master's degree in educational technology - a groundbreaking program at the time - at Concordia University in River Forest, which she completed in 2012.

"We all know that she is extremely important to our community - and this award only validates her value to our faculty and students," said Eileen Manno, principal. "We are so fortunate to have her on our staff."

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