Bernajean’s Bio
Bernajean Porter provides a spectrum of practical tools and services to scale and sustain technology’s potential culled from 35 years of national and international experience. Her work reflects a belief that technology can accelerate all students in rediscovering their joy and personal success as learners. Bernajean’s philosophy of work uses cutting edge organizational processes for building local capacity to translate the power of technology’s potential into actual classroom practices for ALL students. Her enthusiasm and vivacious presentations create an energetic climate for all learners. When it comes to doing the hard or impossible things now necessary in schools to ensure students having out-of-this-world possibilities, Bernajean’s personal motto of “Da Um Jeitinho”- there is ALWAYS a way – sets the tone for her dedicated long, term work with national and international educators.
She is author of Grappling with Accountability 2002:MAPPing Tools for Organizing and Assessing Technology for Student Results; Evaluating Digital Products: Training and Resource Tools for Using Student Scoring Guides; Nutz and Boltz of Engaging and Empowering Large Groups; and DigiTales: The Art of Telling Digital Stories; I-imagine: Waking Up a Generation for their OWN Greatness. New book in progress: Turning UP the H.E.A.T. – Learning, Thinking and Communicating in a Digital Age.
She has been on presidential advisory boards, worked as a state department of education technology consultant, consulted with numerous American International Schools and Department of Defense Schools; recognized by ISTE as Consultant of the Year, directed state-wide initiatives, and participated in multiple technology literacy challenge grant (TLCG + EETT + Race to the Top) project design, trainings/assessments. Bernajean’s work uses the application of systems thinking, chaos theory and her love of kids to deal with the challenges of change and re-culturing efforts in education today. Bernajean’s workshops are invigorating, fun and packed with get-started ideas!
Whimsical Bio
Bernajean Porter AKA writer, speech and debate coach, inventor, auntie, teacher of possibilities, media maker, futurist, master of survival techniques when working with adolescents, professional speaker, technology consultant, teacher of teachers, long-term technology user, promoter of anything that increases joy, spirit and outrageous possibilities in all aspects of life for kids and adults and now. . . a digital storytelling guide and virtual worlds educator. Likes: Watching stars, designing group events, mountain living, learning anytime anywhere, moon glows, adventure travel, can-do attitudes, mangoes, magic, building community spirit, lilacs, ATVing mountain trails, a good story and living life juicy! Dislikes: Rules of all kinds. Loose ends. Stale strawberry licorice. People insisting on having their negative and limiting beliefs. Letting worst fears rule the day. Having narrow choices. And milking cows. Pet Philosophy: Da Um Jeitinho – there is always a way! Let’s make it happen together!