Purpose
The Alabama Chief Technology Officer Academy is a certification program designed for those who currently serve as their system’s technology director and for those who aspire to such positions.
Benefits
The AL-CTO Academy is unique. It is founded on the understanding that the leadership responsibilities and expertise required for this role are tremendously complex and dynamic. Success in the role of a K-12 CTO means possessing and maintaining a high level of competency in both education and technology, not just one or the other. Regardless of the participant’s background, the program has much to offer. It is designed to assist the participant in developing higher levels of competency in the full range of CTO responsibilities while ensuring that Alabama’s unique state requirements and opportunities are covered. Throughout the program participants will share with and learn from other professionals, leading to personal and professional growth.
Program History
The original AL-CTO program was developed ALET. During its development, designers of the program met with the Alabama State Department of Education leaders. SDE leaders acknowledge the need for and the benefits of the program and encouraged its development. However, participants should be aware that attaining AL CTO certification does not require school systems to change the graduate’s job title or pay.
In 2022, ALET established a partnership with University of Montevallo professors Dr. Jennifer Alexiou-Ray and Dr. Cassie Raulston, both long time ALET members, in order to updated the program. The program was rebranded as the Alabama Chief Technology Officer Academy in the summer of 2022. The updated program retains much of it’s former structure and content, but the completion of the program will require an additional time investment and study.
Announcing the CTO Academy
Participation
Anyone meeting the criteria may apply to participate in ALET’s CTO Academy. The criteria for participation are intended to establish and maintain program rigor and high quality, not to discriminate against any interested candidate. The criteria and order of acceptance are as follows:
- ALET Delegate Members serving in a school system’s highest EdTech leadership position regardless of years of experience in education
- ALET General Members having a minimum of three years of experience working in the education field
Courses
The AL-CTO Academy consists of six courses, covering all major responsibilities of the position. The professional strands are patterned after the CoSN Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL) framework but are tailored for Alabama. Please note that the CETL program and AL-CTO program are different certifications. Neither is a pre-requisite for the other.
- CTO ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- LAW, ETHICS, AND POLICIES
- DATA MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
- TEACHING AND LEARNING
- IT MANAGEMENT and CYBERSECURITY
- TECHNOLOGY PLANNING and BUDGETING
Apply
Applications for the 2023 CTO Academy are now closed.
Time Commitment and Schedule
Participants will complete 54 hours over a 12 month period. Participants should be prepared to attend ALET’s 3 major events and attend four additional meeting dates throughout the year.
Cost
The one-time course fee is $100. Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and meals.
Re-Certification
ALET is officially beginning the re-certification process. The Alpha, Beta, and Charlie cohorts will have two years to complete and submit the documentation in order to retain their certification. Please read this document for more information and important links – ALCTO Recertification Policy. The timelines are as follows:
- ALPHA, BETA, and CHARLIE documentation due by June 1, 2022
- DELTA documentation due by June 1, 2023
- ECHO documentation due by June 1, 2024
Contacts
VP of Professional Learning – Tim Brothers (profdev@go-alet.org)
AL CTO Graduates
| Name | System | Cohort |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Taylor | Walker County | Alpha |
| Anthony Kingston | Alabaster City | Alpha |
| April Chamberlain | Trussville City | Alpha |
| Barbara Burchard | Elmore County | Alpha |
| Beth McKinney | Athens City | Alpha |
| Brigett Stewart | Jacksonville City | Alpha |
| Bruce Ellard | Cullman County | Alpha |
| Bryan Phillips | Hoover City | Alpha |
| Chris Jenks | Tuscaloosa City | Alpha |
| Craig Bates | Talladega County | Alpha |
| Devlynne Barnes | Monroe County | Alpha |
| Eric Burrage | Oxford City | Alpha |
| Glen Granberry | Lee County | Alpha |
| Jana Hoggle | Satsuma City | Alpha |
| Jason Truett | Lauderdale County | Alpha |
| Jenel Travis | Calhoun County | Alpha |
| Jeremy King | Baldwin County | Alpha |
| Joanne Stephens | Birmingham City | Alpha |
| Joel Andrews | Russellville City | Alpha |
| Juan Cepero | Dale County | Alpha |
| Tommy Whitten | Madison County Schools | Alpha |
| Kelli Lane | Hoover City | Alpha |
| Kevin Stephenson | Muscle Shoals City | Alpha |
| Kevin Thompson | Coosa County | Alpha |
| Kim Arrington | Chilton County | Alpha |
| Michael Fowlkes | Arab City | Alpha |
| Sean Holmes | Guntersville City | Alpha |
| Stephanie Snyder | Pike County | Alpha |
| Tim Brothers | Attalla City | Alpha |
| Tim Southerland | Hartselle City | Alpha |
| William Martin | Marengo County | Alpha |
| Edward Willis | Morgan County | Alpha |
| Wayne Young | Ozark City | Alpha |
| Stacey Weaver | Pell City | Alpha |
| Dr. Chris Westbrook | Florence City Shools | Alpha |
| Jennifer Alexiou-Ray | University of Montevallo | Beta |
| Eujon Anderson | Troy City | Beta |
| Steve Blair | Montgomery County | Beta |
| Bob Blalock | Houston County | Beta |
| Brian Craig | Sheffield City | Beta |
| Calan Daniel | Randolph County | Beta |
| Regina Davis | Choctaw County | Beta |
| Bret Dehoff | Brewton City | Beta |
| Louis Delbert | Colbert County | Beta |
| Emily Elam | Decatur City | Beta |
| Sandra Guinn | Franklin County | Beta |
| Benny Guthrie | Cullman County | Beta |
| Brad Johnson | Enterprise City | Beta |
| Verlander Jones | Perry County | Beta |
| Joani Kay | Mtn. Brook City | Beta |
| Tony LaRue | Scottsboro City | Beta |
| Todd Manley | Florence City | Beta |
| Sharon Mumm | Mtn. Brook City | Beta |
| Brian Narrell | Blount County | Beta |
| DevVon Pettway | Midfield City | Beta |
| Cassie Raulston | University of Montevallo | Beta |
| Stacy Rodgers | Enterprise City | Beta |
| Stacy Royster | Opelika City Schools | Beta |
| Matthew Shell | Butler County | Beta |
| Paula Stanbridge | Mtn. Brook City | Beta |
| Robert Stewart | Greene County | Beta |
| Russ Stewart | St. Clair County | Beta |
| Bradley Strother | Clay County | Beta |
| Teresa Thomas | Birmingham City | Beta |
| Greg Titshaw | Fort Payne City | Beta |
| Taylor Armstrong | Vestavia City Schools | Charlie |
| Susan Chandler | Jasper City Schools | Charlie |
| Rick Cortright | Dallas County Schools | Charlie |
| Dafne Stokes | Chickasaw City Schools | Charlie |
| Matt Fuller | Talladega City Schools | Charlie |
| Andrew Jackson | Leeds City Schools | Charlie |
| Wesley Lawley | Bibb County Achools | Charlie |
| Dr. Benitha Mathews | Lowndes County Schools | Charlie |
| Aaron New | Madison City Schools | Charlie |
| Mary Raines | Fayette County Schools | Charlie |
| Jackie Sanes | Phenix City Schools | Charlie |
| Mark Wilson | Madison County Schools | Charlie |
| Lauren Woolley | Shelby County Schools | Charlie |
| Melanie Barkley | Athens City Schools | Charlie |
| Ingrid Abner, Ph.D. | Tarrant City Schools | Delta |
| Fabian Bauerschmidt | Russell County Schools | Delta |
| Heidi Chambers | Oneonta City Schools | Delta |
| Corey Cochran | Cleburne County Schools | Delta |
| Josh Howard | Geneva County Schools | Delta |
| Geoff Jones | Henry County Schools | Delta |
| Keith Price | Vestavia Hills City Schools | Delta |
| Amy Steen-Hurst | Anniston City Schools | Delta |
| Suzanne Stockton | Tuscumbia City Schools | Delta |
| Michael Townsend | Tuscaloosa County Schools | Delta |
| Laura Ware, Ed.D. | Jefferson County Schools | Delta |
| Desiree Smith, Ed.D. | Homewood City Schools | Delta |
| Julian Smith | Hoover City Schools | Echo |
| Matt Black | Pell City Schools | Echo |
| Zane Hardinger | Fort Payne City Schools | Echo |
| Andrew Click | Lee County Schools | Echo |
| Mandy Loreman | Phenix City Schools | Echo |
| Russ Smith | Guntersville City Schools | Echo |
| Stacey Gray | Etowah County Schools | Echo |
| Derric Jones | Alexander City Schools | Echo |
| Landon Pickard | Auburn City Schools | Echo |
| Nic Cardwell | Chilton County Schools | Echo |