Job Opportunity for MassCUE: Executive Director

MassCUE Executive Director Opportunity MassCUE, a leading voice in educational technology in Massachusetts, is embarking on an exciting search…

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2025 Nominations for Administrator and Pathfinder Awards

Nominate a Colleague for a MassCUE Administrator or Pathfinder Award Do you know an exceptional educator who has made an impact in the field of educational technology? A current or former colleague who serves as a leader and an inspiration to others in their classroom, school or district? Nominate them for an Administrator or a Pathfinder award! Nominations are being accepted now for these awards, which are given out during the MassCUE Fall Conference in October. To learn more about these prestigious awards and to access the application forms, please view our  Awards Committee page. Deadline to submit a nomination is June 20, 2025.   The Administrator Award will be presented to a school or district leader who models and promotes the effective use of technology in their day-to-day execution of duties; provides exceptional leadership in supporting the integration of technology into the curriculum; and promotes, models, and establishes policies for safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology. To submit a nomination, visit our Awards Committee page. K-12 school teachers, technology coordinators and other educators are eligible to be recognized with the Pathfinder Award, which will be given to an educator who facilitates a positive change in technological thinking in their classroom, school, or district; demonstrates vision and leadership; influences other educators and promotes ethical and responsible use of technology. To submit a nomination, visit our Awards Committee page.   More Information See past winners and get more information on awards criteria and nomination procedures in the Awards & Recognition Committee section of our website.

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Project Tomorrow Family Speak Up Surveys 2025

MassCUE/Project Tomorrow Family Speak Up Surveys 2025 Date: May 1st through June 30th, 2025 Location: Online Cost: No Cost   We invite the MassCUE community to leverage exclusive findings from the Project Tomorrow Speak Up Parent and Family Survey to guide district-wide edtech planning and decision-making. Dr. Julie Evans, CEO of Project Tomorrow and founder of Speak Up, will join us at the Fall Conference, with the Speak Up team offering full support—from survey distribution to in-depth data analysis. In an era of tight budgets, rapid AI advancement, and growing concerns about digital wellness, delivering strong digital literacy and citizenship education is both more difficult—and more important—than ever.   Benefits of Participating in Speak-Up No cost, actionable local data – Available as soon as your survey window closes, enabling mid-year adjustments. National comparative data – Released within 30 days of survey close. Easy setup – Quick registration via the Speak Up 24–25 Registration Tutorial. Custom survey links – Tailored by district, school, and audience (Accessing Your Speak Up 24–25 Survey Links video available). Flexible timing – Run surveys anytime before June 30, 2025. Ongoing support – A dedicated Speak Up Project Manager and support team will assist at every step.   How to Participate Determine if your district leadership team would benefit from collecting family perspectives using either of our current surveys: The Classic Speak Up (multiple themes related to technology and learning) The Speak Up Snapshot: AI in Education   Timeline If you find value in surveying your families, the next step is to: Select one of the two surveys and start sending the survey out as soon as possible. Surveys are open through June 30, 2025.   EMail: speakup@tomorrow.org or sign up at https://speakup.tomorrow.org/register.

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AI Online Courses

AI Online Courses with ISTE+ASCD Spring and Summer 2025 As part of MassCUE’s partnership with ISTE+ASCD we are offering MassCUE members the opportunity to sign up for virtual AI Courses designed by ISTE. ISTE+ASCD are offering two virtual course options: 5-hour self-paced course that is offered on a rolling basis 15-hour guided course with scheduled sessions with deadlines for assignments. Please note that ISTE+ASCD is offering scholarships to participate in both courses. The AI course scholarships are offered as part of a larger project with grant funding. If you are not awarded a scholarship for the 15-hour course, you are offered a member discount to pay for the course. However, the 5-hour course is only available through scholarship and is not available for purchase. Interested educators apply through ISTE+ASCD. Questions?  Please email isteu@iste.org.   5-Hour Self-Paced Course The 5-hour self-paced course guides educators through practical applications of AI in teaching and learning. Participants will explore current AI tools, develop implementation strategies, and learn best practices for enhancing instruction through AI technology. Upon course completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion with the course hours listed.The 5-hour course has a six-month window for completion once an educator registers. Note: The sixteenth question in the application asks “Which organization shared this opportunity with you?” Make sure to write in MassCUE. The last question in the application asks “If you were referred by an ISTE partner, please choose which one.” Make sure to select MassCUE. APPLY FOR THE 5 HOUR AI COURSE 15-Hour Self-Paced Course The 15-hour self-paced course includes ongoing instructor support. This guided experience includes instructor support, practical application exercises, and opportunities to collaborate with other educators. Participants will create implementation plans specific to their teaching context. During this course educators will: Learn to identify the various types of AI. Hear about AI technologies on the horizon. Build tools to make AI concrete and accessible for educators and students alike. Develop a learning artifact for implementing AI into your school setting Upon course completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion with the course hours listed. Additionally,graduate-level credit is available. Participants will be able to apply for graduate-level credit by registering with ISTE partner, Dominican University for a fee of $95. A link to register will be provided in the course material. No previous knowledge of AI or experience coding is required. The next session dates are July 7th to Aug. 31 2025. Another session will be offered in September 2025. Note: The last question in the application asks “If you were referred by an ISTE partner, please choose which one.” Make sure to select MassCUE.  If you are not awarded a scholarship the discounted cost to participate for a MassCUE member is $186. APPLY FOR THE 15 HOUR AI COURSE

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MassCUE & Me Series

A Legacy of Learning through Technology Check out our special interest editorial series spotlighting the transformative impact of MassCUE…

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MassCUE Board Spring Elections — Nominations Open until 5/9/25

MassCUE Board Spring Elections Nominations will be open from 4/18/25 through 5/9/25 MassCUE is looking for passionate members to…

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Get Support with your Fall Conference Proposal

Support with Your Fall Conference Proposal         Have questions about submitting a proposal for the MassCUE Fall…

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Get a CUE with COMCOM

The Team Behind the MassCUE Communications Committee   In the latest episode of the Get a CUE Podcast, the team behind…

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Meet the MassCUE Board of Directors

MassCUE is pleased to introduce our new Board of Directors, a group of experienced educators and leaders committed to advancing technology in education. The board includes Officers Leo Brehm, Jared Perrine, Jacqueline Collins, and Ellen Driscoll. Board Members include Dr. Susan Bisson, Drew O'Connors, John O'Sullivan, Tracy Sockalosky, and Melissa Zeitz. These members bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from various roles within the educational field, including classroom teaching, instructional technology, and administrative positions. Their diverse backgrounds and shared passion for educational technology will guide MassCUE in its mission to support and empower educators across Massachusetts. To learn more about our Board Members, please visit our website.

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2025 Classroom Grant Recipients

Congratulations to our 2025 Grant Recipients From Lego robotics to 3D printing to Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), educators will be introducing their students to new technology and new ways of learning, thanks to MassCUE Classroom Grants. Classroom grants were awarded to educators teaching students from elementary through high school. To learn more about this year's winners and the projects they will be working on, visit the Classroom Grants page on our website. 2025 Classroom Grants NAME GRANT DISTRICT Wendy Byrne Bridging Creativity and Careers: 3D Printing for STEM Education North Reading Middle School Daniel Cushing Bringing 3D Printing to Elementary STEM Woodland Elementary, Milford Vanessa Miller KIBO Coding Club Narragansett Elementary Meaghan Tully AR/VR & MergeEDU Dartmouth High School Therese Valente Lego Education Spike Prime Robotics Old Rochester Regional Junior High, Mattapoisett

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A Message to the MassCUE Community

Dear MassCUE Community, We are pleased to announce that an interim Board of Directors has been formed. The Board is directing all its efforts to ensure that MassCUE’s core mission “to create, share, and support visions of technology and learning that focus on uses of technology that enhance the educational environment" is front and center. The Board acknowledges the challenges we’ve faced and is committed to rebuilding trust, improving communication, and revitalizing MassCUE’s presence in the community. Each member of the Board of Directors brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this transitional period. If you are interested in joining the board, please visit the Board of Directors page on our website. In addition, the MassCUE Board has hired former Executive Director, Shelley Chamberlain, as Transition Director. Shelley will work with our Board members to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months. MassCUE is taking immediate action to reconnect with our members, vendors, and partners by reinstating committees, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and our website to provide timely updates and resources. This transition is about creating a stronger, more transparent, and inclusive foundation for the future. Your support and feedback are essential as we work together to make MassCUE the EdTech clearinghouse Massachusetts educators deserve. There will be a general meeting on April 16, 2025, at Gillette Stadium, where we will discuss special elections and recommended bylaw changes. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns at schamberlain@masscue.org. We are here to listen and collaborate. Thank you for your continued dedication to MassCUE and the educators we serve. Warm regards, MassCUE Interim Executive Board  

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December Featured Educator – Dr. Hossam Elsayyad

For Dr. Hossam Elsayyad, language learning is more than just academics. It’s about building confidence and creating a sense of belonging. As an English Language Development teacher at the Wawecus Road School in Worcester, Dr. Elsayyad integrates culturally responsive teaching and innovative tools with the goal of creating a classroom where every student feels valued, capable, and excited to learn. “Helping students overcome language barriers, express themselves, and gain confidence in their abilities is incredibly rewarding,” Dr. Elsayyad says. “I’m passionate about teaching English language learners because I believe in the transformative power of education.” Dr. Elsayyad leverages technology to enhance language development across the core domains of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. His innovative use of AI tools has transformed language instruction. He uses Simplified AI to create engaging, visual lessons by turning written text into dynamic video content, making it easier for visual learners to grasp concepts. Pi AI gives students practice speaking in a safe, low-pressure environment through simulated real-life conversations. He creates differentiated activities with ChatGPT, adjusting task complexity to match students’ language levels. “With ChatGPT, you can simplify vocabulary and structures for beginners while challenging advanced learners with more complex language,” he says. “This ensures that all students are appropriately engaged, maintaining high expectations without watering down the content.” One of Dr. Elsayyad’s core beliefs is that learning is a collaborative journey. Involving students in setting goals and reflecting on their progress empowers them and fosters ownership. He integrates digital portfolios, primarily through Seesaw, to track and showcase student progress. These portfolios include writing samples, voice recordings, and project work, allowing students to reflect on their growth and take pride in their achievements. He uses Imagine Learning, an adaptive program that tailors lessons to each student's proficiency level, to provide the right challenge and instant feedback. “Together, these tools help me stay organized and offer families easy access to their child’s progress, fostering a sense of ownership and boosting students' confidence,” he says. “For English learners, seeing their improvement is especially motivating.” Another favorite tool for Dr. Elsayyad is Canva, which allows students to create visually compelling projects like infographics and storyboards, reinforcing vocabulary and comprehension. For group projects, he uses Google Slides. Students collaborate to create presentations on topics such as animals, foods, or family traditions, fostering creativity while allowing them to practice their language skills. He uses Google Classroom for organizing assignments, offering feedback, and maintaining communication with both students and parents. “These tools make learning interactive and give students a chance to express themselves in creative ways, turning language practice into an engaging, meaningful experience,” he says. His advice to fellow ELD teachers: build strong relationships with your students. When you understand their backgrounds, cultures, and interests, it helps you connect with them and make the material more relevant. “Embrace technology, but always use it with purpose. It should enhance learning, not complicate it,” he says. “And above all, create a welcoming classroom. A supportive environment encourages students to take risks with their language practice, which is essential for growth.” Ensuring that students feel confident and engaged, especially when facing language barriers, can be a challenge, he says. Balancing the diverse language abilities and cultural backgrounds of his students requires creativity and flexibility. The reward, he says, is watching his students grow. “Whether it’s the first time a student speaks up in class or the pride they feel when sharing a completed project, these moments remind me of why I do this work,” he says. “Their resilience and progress inspire me every day.”   Hossam Elsayyad is an experienced ELD educator and researcher, currently teaching in Worcester, MA. With a Ph.D. in English Education from the University of BathSpa, his work focuses on bilingualism, language acquisition, and the impact of working memory on reading comprehension. Hossam integrates culturally responsive teaching and digital technology to foster English language development and build intellectual agency in his students. Passionate about supporting English language learners, he focuses on creating an inclusive, student-centered classroom that respects and celebrates cultural diversity.

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