Educational Technology Integrators
Franny Aida began her career as a French teacher for 7 years. Once she recognized how technology could bring a more authentic experience to her classroom, her passion for all things tech was ignited. She went back to school to get her Masters of Education in Instructional Technology in 2014 from the University of Virginia.
Franny is thrilled to be an Ed Tech Integrator in RPS. She loves the fast-paced world of EdTech, and how it encourages everyone to continue to grow and learn new skills. She loves working with teachers to solve problems and innovate in their classrooms.
Alex Alexson Email
Alex Alexson graduated Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA) from VCU. In May 2003, he received the Award in Academic Excellence for the College of Humanities and Sciences, Spanish Department. He has been in education for 14 years. He has served as department chair. He has a passion for the 4 C's (Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication).
Alex Alexson is certified in the following apps: Apple, BrainPop, Common Sense, CK-12, Discovery, Duolingo, Edpuzzle, Epic!, Flipgrid, Flocabulary, Edulastic, Formative, Google, Insert Learning, Legends of Learning, Nearpod, Microsoft, Mystery Skype, Newsela, Quizlet, Read&Write, Screencastify, Seesaw, Skype, SMARTboard, and Soundtrap.
Christopher Barna Email
Christopher Barna has been an educator in Richmond Public Schools since 2014. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master's Degree in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University with certifications in Math, Biology, and Chemistry. His passion for teaching using technology led him to join the ETI team in 2020 where he hopes to spread the wonders of digital teaching tools to all classrooms within the district. When not teaching, Chris enjoys watching sports, live-streaming, and playing strategy games.
Jessica Blumberg Email
Jessica began her career as a kindergarten teacher 26 years ago. She holds her Bachelor’s degree from Tulane University where she majored in both Early Child Education and Psychology. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her 4 year old daughter and her fur baby.
Jessica loves learning new and innovative ways to engage students in the classroom. She is looking forward to working with RPS teachers and bringing her love of technology into their classrooms!
Mercedes Buck Email
Mercedes Buck began her career in education in 2015 as a career switcher from the finance and technology industry to serving as a middle and high school career and technical education (CTE) teacher. Mercedes holds an Ed.S degree in K-12 Educational Leadership, master’s in Education, and bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and has taught Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, and U.S. Government.
Mercedes has served in RPS as an Ed Tech Integrator, CTE Instructional Specialist, and now EdTech Integrator Lead and loves entering the classroom to co-teach with teachers of all content areas.
Nicholas Cipolla Email
Nick taught sixth grade science and Biology for 5 years before joining the ETI team in 2024. He attended the College of William and Mary, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Neuroscience and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Secondary Science Education concentration. Nick is passionate about connecting people digitally as well as making technology approachable and equitable for all learners. Other special interests in EdTech include digital citizenship, amplifying creativity in the digital landscape, and AI.
Outside of work, Nick enjoys hanging out with his dog, supporting local sports teams (Go Kickers and Flying Squirrels!), gaming, and cooking.
Samantha Cooper Email • Website • Twitter
Before becoming an ETI in 2020, Sam taught 7th grade Life Science for 10 years. She has a Bachelors in Biology, a Masters in K-12 Education, a Leadership endorsement, and is working on an EdD in Instructional Technology. Outside of school, she is a mother (of a human child and fur-babies), crafter, lover of the outdoors, and all-around nerd.
As an ETI, Sam loves to learn new technologies and ways to increase student engagement. She believes technology can bridge achievement gaps by helping students become self-directed, life-long learners.
Bernadette Cruse Email
What Bernadette loves most about being an ETI is working closely with teachers to build their capacity through a combination of best practices and meaningful technology integration. She especially enjoys helping teachers use technology to empower and amplify their students' voices, and make their learning accessible, visible, relevant and rigorous.
Prior to becoming an ETI, Bernadette taught Spanish for over twenty years, primarily in Henrico and Hanover counties. She also speaks Portuguese. In 2018, she earned National Board Certification in World Languages, and renewed again in 2023. In June 2023, she became a Certified Coach with the Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE). She represents RPS at the Greater Richmond Education Technology Consortium (GRAETC), and is the Region 1 Representative for the Virginia Educational Coaches Network, sponsored by the Virginia chapter of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (VASCD). Bernadette has a BA in Spanish from Mary Baldwin University and will complete her MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Educational Innovation here at UVA in Spring 2025.
Dwayne Dick Email
Dwayne "Orlando" Dick changed careers, moving from the United States Army, where he served as an infantryman for eight years, to the teaching profession. He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan before leaving the service with the rank of Corporal. He has also worked for Capital One, Bank of America Merchant Services, and in the healthcare and home finance businesses. Mr. Orlando worked as an English teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School from 2016 until 2018 and started teaching English language arts at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in 2018-2019.
He served on the Leadership Committee, the Culture and Climate Committee, and the Young Kings in Action Academy before being elected the "Teacher of the Year" at MLK in 2021. Mr. Orlando holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Richmond. His goal is to form collaborations with educators and eventually mix technology and education to better prepare young children for future ventures.
Shanna Finklin Email
Stacy Green Email • Website • Twitter
Stacy Green is an accomplished educator with over 20 years of experience in public school education. She holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Carolina University, and a bachelor's degree in teaching from Sam Sharpe Teachers' College.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Green has served in a variety of roles, including Virginia Preschool Initiative teacher, K-6 teacher, lead literacy teacher, mentor, Virginia Commonwealth University Clinical Faculty, and technology coach. She is passionate about leveraging educational technology tools to enhance learning outcomes and believes that technology can provide students with opportunities to engage in collaborative, authentic, and personalized learning experiences.
Mrs. Green's philosophy on integrating technology in the classroom is rooted in the belief that technology should be used purposefully and intentionally to support student learning. She believes that effective technology integration requires thoughtful planning, ongoing professional development, and a commitment to selecting and using technology tools that align with instructional goals and student needs.
As a technology coach, Mrs. Green collaborates with teachers to create authentic learning experiences that leverage technology. She uses technology to create, adapt and personalize learning experiences that foster independent learning and accommodate learner differences and needs. She works closely with teachers to model best practices for technology integration, provide guidance and support on the use of technology tools, and encourage teachers to experiment with new approaches to teaching and learning.
Mrs. Green is committed to helping teachers build their confidence and skills in using technology to engage students, differentiate instruction, and foster critical thinking. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, and pursuing her passion for photography.
Derek Hambright Email
Derek Hambright was born and raised in Richmond Virginia, and is a proud alumnus of two proud Virginia institutions Longwood and Virginia Commonwealth Universities. Derek received a bachelor's degree in Biology from Longwood in 2008 then continued his post-graduate education at Virginia Commonwealth University performing scientific research in microbiology and immunology. In 2011, his passion for knowledge and learning led him to join the Richmond Teacher Residency Program. Through this partnership between VCU and Richmond City Public Schools, Derek began his teaching journey at John Marshall High School. Upon graduating from VCU in 2012, earning a Master's in teaching, Derek accepted a position at Thompson Middle School. He spent the next 11 years molding the minds of the next generation of great scientists while holding a variety of leadership positions and working to improve the school. In 2020, the recently merged schools of Elkhardt and Thompson would find their permanent home at the newly constructed River City Middle School where Derek would be named the "2020-2021 Teacher of the Year".
Derek brings a natural love of learning and a strong desire to help students discover their own passion for education.
Autumn Honts Email
Autumn Honts started in education in 2011 as a middle and high school computer science teacher. She loved integrating technology into her classroom so when a job as an ETI opened, she joined the team in 2024. She is certified in Computer Science, Technology Education, Keyboarding, and Visual Arts.
Autumn holds a bachelor's degree from Averett University in Clinical and Counseling Psychology and a Master's degree from Strayer University in Technology in Education. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and creating art when not at work.
Autumn loves learning and adding technology to the classroom!
Rose Martin-Turnage Email
Rose M. Martin-Turnage is an Educational Technology Integrator formally known as an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher (ITRT). This is her 40th year working in the Richmond Public School System. Prior to becoming an (ITRT), Rose M. Martin-Turnage was a science teacher on the high school level for 15 years. She has bachelor degree in Earth and Space Science, Master’s Degree and PhD in Educational Technology. Also, Rose M. Martin-Turnage is one of the original ITRTs when this position first became a part of the RPS job titles. Helping teachers to integrate technology into their teaching and learning is one of the primary goals of EdTech Integrators. Teachers should have the freedom and experience to work smarter, not harder in their creative abilities to level the playing field of all RPS students here in the 21st century.
Meredith Ose Email
A Northern Virginia/D.C. native, Meredith holds a BFA in Sculpture and Art Education from VCU. Teaching art and digital photography in Middle and High schools, Meredith has been a passionate and dedicated art educator serving Richmond City, Henrico and Chesterfield counties since 2000. Meredith has experience serving on the Virginia Art Education Association board as treasurer. Her experience working as an art education consultant in VA, D.C. and MD allowed her to grow as an educator, mentor, and collaborative partner.
Meredith is a dedicated Yogi, and became a certified yoga teacher in 2017. Meredith is passionate about seeking balance, providing service to others and empowering youth to be themselves and find their purpose in life.
Meredith completed her Masters in Educational Technology Leadership in 2023 from Lamar University. She plans to continue learning new ways to empower and collaborate with teachers and students to develop 21st century skills, help students build character and cultivate compassion and empathy, which are crucial as social collaborative beings.
In her free time Meredith loves to create art and cook with her daughter, walk, hike, bike, paddle board, take photos, practice yoga, play in the garden, build fires, watch and play sports, listen to all kinds of music, and hang out with friends and family.
Fealeacia Price Email
Arianna Trickey Email • Twitter
Arianna Trickey has worked in Richmond Public Schools since 2016. Before becoming an Educational Technology Integrator, Arianna spent the majority of her time teaching third grade and served as an Academic Architect for the Mathematics department from 2020-2023. In her first year of teaching, she received the division's Exemplary New Teacher award. In 2020, she served as her school's Teacher of the Year and received the REB Award for Teaching Excellence. Arianna attended the University of Virginia as a Quest Scholar, receiving a Bachelor's degree in History and two Master's Degrees in Elementary Education and Reading Education. She is endorsed in Elementary Education, PreK-6, and is also a licensed Reading Specialist.
Now, as an Educational Technology Integrator, Arianna coaches teachers in creating engaging and accessible instruction through the innovative use of technology using tools like Adobe Express and Nearpod, among others. She is passionate about ensuring educators have the support and resources they need to enhance student learning outcomes. She is also well known for celebrating student achievement by allowing her former students to dye her hair any color, and she continues to rock the colorful locks to this day, making her in-classroom demos and co-teaching even more exciting at the elementary schools she serves!
Joselyn Verdi was a classroom teacher for 13 years before becoming an ETI in 2015. She recently accepted a position as Lead ETI. She taught first, second, third, and fourth grades.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She also holds a Post Master's Certification in Leadership and Supervision. She was a mentor teacher for seven years and a Language Arts Lead teacher for six years. Joselyn is a National Board Certified Teacher with a concentration as an Early Childhood Generalist. She is the mom of two wonderful boys and an avid Ohio State, Browns, and Indians fan! She loves sports, outdoor activities, reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Joselyn used technology in her classroom daily! She has experience with the district's Priority Resources and anything Google. She is proficient with both Windows and Macintosh computers. Joselyn brings a lot of passion and excitement for helping teachers integrate technology into their classrooms to support students’ learning needs. She strongly believes that technology increases student interest and involvement.
Carla enjoys working with teachers to help them strategically use technology in the classroom to support students’ learning needs. Pairing teachers with resources such as specific Google Workspace Apps, creation platforms, and other online instructional tools is one of Carla's favorite tasks. According to Carla, the best part of the job by far is celebrating colleagues' successes as they grow to meaningfully incorporate technology into their teaching practice.