| Dear Principals and Instructional Technology Lead Teachers:
Although the grant that provided the initial funding for the Instructional Technology Lead Teacher (ITLT) program has long expired, we are going to continue to run this program for 2004-2005 in much the same way as in previous years. I am sending this information to clarify guidelines for the program. ROLES AND HOURS ITLTs, in accepting this position, have agreed to serve as coaches to others in integrating technology into classroom instruction, and to participate in bi-monthly ITLT meetings to share goals and progress, among other responsibilities. They work in collaboration with the district technology staff, the administration and other ITLTs in pursuit of the goal of integrating technology into classroom instruction. Pat Sine, Director of Technology Services, at University of Delaware, coordinates this group and I keep close involvement on all aspects. ITLTs are allowed a weekly maximum of 3 hours with stipends for work that extends beyond the school day. The stipends will be paid through this office. The ITLTs are not required to devote a minimum amount of time to the program each week. For example, an ITLT might use no hours one week and 6 hours the next. However, this year we are not allowing hours to be carried over from one month to another, as stated below. The individual has flexibility in how hours are served. ITLTs normally are the ones to decide how they should spend their hours, although ITLTs need to communicate closely with principals in order to further thetechnology program at each building. With prior approval from me and the building principal, some released time with substitutes may be granted on an as-needed basis. Also, with prior approval by me, there may be occasions when ITLTs will provide training to other teachers after school hours and those teachers will receive stipends for the training. The role of ITLT will be further clarified during bi-monthly ITLT meetings. REQUEST FOR PAYMENT ITLTs will request stipends for work done through MyLearningPlan.com. With more lead teachers on board (Literacy Lead Teachers, Science Lead Teachers, Math Lead Teachers and ITLTs), we must make a change in how lead teachers report hours. This year, we will not honor requests for payment for hours from a previous month. Hours must be reported on time, by the end of each month . This will be discussed in our first ITLT meeting. New ITLTs will be given instructions for reporting their hours. If they encounter problems, they should contact Jo Anne Davis, in my office. If ITLTs get prior approval of the Assistant Superintendent and Principal for released time, they should follow the regular procedures for securing a substitute; i.e., they request that the principal secure a substitute. Principals should be aware that when the buildings submit their substitute reports to the district office, they should place my initials in parentheses after the name of the teacher who received the substitute. This alerts the business office to let Jo Anne Davis look at it and to keep track of the Curriculum and Instruction budget. I ask principals to consider sitting in on some of the ITLT meetings, as they will give an interesting perspective on the work the district is doing to promote technology integration K-12. Please feel free to call or email any questions. Olivia Spencer |