Ten Years of One-to-One Technology in Citrus County Schools: A Story of Commitment and Success
Popular estimates suggest that 65 percent of children entering grade school today will work in jobs that don’t even exist yet.
These images are from a 2013 School Board workshop meeting at Citrus Springs Middle School. CSMS was the site of the first one-to-one pilot.
Ten years ago, Citrus County Schools embarked on a journey to integrate technology into the classroom by implementing a one-to-one initiative, providing each student with a school device. Today, that commitment has paid off as 100% of all students now have a school-issued device. This forward-thinking approach to technology in education has not gone unnoticed, as the United States Department of Education, Florida Education Commissioner, and others have praised Citrus County for ensuring that technology is transforming teaching and learning.
This dedication to technology education has far-reaching benefits for students, as popular estimates suggest that 65 percent of children entering grade school today will work in jobs that don’t even exist yet. By providing students with exposure to the latest technology and the skills to use it, Citrus County is ensuring that its students are prepared for success in their post-high school careers and schooling.
Citrus County’s leadership in technology education was recognized in November 2014 by the United States Department of Education recognized the success of Citrus County Schools, stating that the district was “earning high marks from state officials, students, and teachers for ensuring that technology is actually transforming teaching and learning.” In August 2016, then Florida Educational Commissioner Pam Stewart praised the district for its dedication to digital learning. “What you’re going to do today (in Citrus County Schools), in regards to digital learning, is really incredible, and I can tell you, it’s probably not happening across the state in very many places,” she said.
The district’s commitment to technology education was put to the test in March 2020, when Florida Governor DeSantis and then Florida Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran asked all schools to immediately develop an Instructional Remote Learning Plan due to the pandemic. While other districts struggled to provide students with devices and the necessary technology to continue learning, Citrus County was able to quickly transition to distance learning because nearly every student already had a school-issued device.
Citrus County Schools Director of Technology Kathy Androski, who was a teacher in the initial one-to-one pilot, reflects on the progress made in the last ten years. “If you would have told me ten years ago when I was one of the teachers of the 1:1 pilot that I would become the director of technology for the district, I would have never believed it. I truly LOVED what I was doing and had such an amazing team of educators and leaders I was working with. We supported one another through all of the trials and tribulations and formed a think tank group. Innovation occurred and as we refined our craft, we found that we could be both creative and standards-based for student success.”
This success truly been a collaborative effort and would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the many individuals involved in the one-to-one technology initiative This has truly been a collaborative effort, including Kathy Androski (current Director of Technology), Dan Koch (now Professional Learning Senior Specialist for Apple), April Barker, Principals David Roland and Vicki Lofton, Superintendent of Schools Sandra “Sam” Himmel, past and current School Boards, Assistant Superintendents Mike Mullen, Retired Executive Director of Curriculum Mark Klauder, Retired Director of Curriculum Technology Dr. Michael Geddes, former District Curriculum Technology Specialists Jim Kelley, Matt Biggs, and Jerry Swiatek, former Title 1 Tech Shaunda Burdette, former District Education Technology Coaches Lisa Paprzycki, Brennan McNally, Mary Leonard and Megan Spelich, current District Education Technology Eileen Jenkin and Ashley Kurutz, Coordinators of Technology Lance Fletcher, all the other numerous other technology aides and specialists, classroom teachers, principals, administrators, educators, parents, and, of course, the amazing students. (I am so sorry if I have forgotten anyone.)
As we look ahead to the future, it is clear that technology will play a crucial role in shaping the careers of today’s students. With its commitment to technology, Citrus County Schools is ensuring that its students have the skills and exposure they need to succeed in this rapidly changing world.
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Last evening, I had the honor of speaking at the opening night of the next class of scuba cadets at Crystal River High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC). The program is set to run for eight weeks and upon successful completion, the cadets will be NAUI scuba certified.
