Ramm named to PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Program

Deb Ramm, Johnston school district’s instructional technology coordinator who has taken technology and her students to new heights, is being recognized with accolades from near and far thanks to her outstanding efforts towards providing a 21st century education.

Ramm, who taught fourth grade for 20 years at Graniteville and Barnes Elementary schools before becoming the instructional technology coordinator for Johnston’s Public Schools K-5 classes two years ago, is a technology buff, and it shows. Her work days are filled with a flurry of activity, from helping teachers learn about blended learning techniques, working with other educators to share their best practices, to assisting elementary classes taking part in a coding workshop.

Earlier this month, her work gained statewide attention when WSBE Rhode Island PBS announced that Ramm had been selected as one of only 30 educators nationwide for the first PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Program.

“Deb Ramm embodies all of the qualities that make her an exemplary recipient of the PBS Digital Innovator All-Star award,” said WSBE Rhode Island PBS President David W. Piccerelli through a press release. “We were proud to nominate her and are delighted she was chosen for this honor. We are confident the Digital Innovator program will benefit greatly from her leadership and enthusiasm.”

According to the release, each Digital Innovator All-Star was selected from a group of extraordinary educators who are doing innovative work in their schools and districts. Awardees were previously recognized as PBS Digital Innovators; Ramm was named PBS Lead Digital Innovator in 2015. In partnership with Rhode Island PBS, Ramm will spend the 2018-2019 school year deepening engagement around the station’s educational resources among Rhode Island students, families, educators and schools. She will also have access to virtual and in-person events, including the PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Summit in Chicago, to connect and learn with peers and station representatives from across the country.

“It’s really surreal, because I feel like I’m just doing my job. I’m doing a job that I love and to be recognized for that is nice. It’s really amazing and sometimes overwhelming, but I think I just love what I do. I’m one of those people who likes to be busy and likes to be involved in things, but I do it because I love what I do,” said Ramm.

Ramm is excited with all of the changes she’s seen in the district in the last few years and is thrilled with the support she receives from the district.

“We were just beginning to make the move from technology integration to blended learning. We’ve had computers in the district for a lot of years, and they were mostly used for research, typing of projects; there wasn’t a lot of collaboration and there was definitely no personalization,” said Ramm. “Now we’re starting to augment and modify the way technology is being used, and that’s how the personalization for students come in. That’s the best part of the blended piece that I’m seeing.”

She added that she’s now seeing a shift in the culture, and she feels that teachers are now cross-collaborating, sharing and learning from feedback. She also believes that teachers feel rejuvenated with new ways of teaching that engage with the students who are now learning more than ever.

“Debra’s positive impact on educators and their students is clearly seen in her district and, due to her leadership, indeed across the state,” says Jon Rubin, director of education services at Rhode Island PBS. “With this latest recognition, we look forward to working closely with Debra so her expertise and insight can inform our work in providing digital media resources for Rhode Island educators and students." 

While she often feels totally plugged in, she said she does disconnect in the evening. But she utilizes her technology to the fullest to make her work enjoyable. Superintendent Bernard DiLullo Jr. was quick to praise Ramm’s efforts and congratulate her on her outstanding achievements.

“Deb Ramm has been the instructional technology coordinator for Johnston Public Schools since 2016, and in that role she has supported technology instruction for teachers across the district. Deb has also provided many forms of professional learning opportunities for educators focused on personalization and blended learning on a regular basis. As a fuse fellow, she has provided support for educators throughout the state,” said DiLullo. “She goes above and beyond each and every day to support our technology initiatives. Our technology team has benefited from her extensive knowledge of the interconnection of instructional strategies and technology. There has been a substantial impact on our district as a result of her contagious energy and knowledge. Deb has emerged as our resident expert in instructional technology and support for our students. I appreciate her skill as a teacher leader and look forward to our continued growth as a district as a result of her skills.”

As if the award wasn’t enough, Ramm was also recently featured on a nationwide podcast on Coolcatteacher.com. She was also recently published, with her article focusing on her model for making writing a part of every subject, which may be found at www.theedadvocate.org/teaching-writing-across-the-curriculum. Tech showcase

Four years ago the district began a Technology Showcase to highlight technology’s impact on Johnston’s schools. From 20 attendees to more than 200 earlier this month, the Showcase has essentially gone viral.

“We get K-12 educators to come in and showcase with their students. We want the students to be the spokespeople as to what is happening in the classroom so that they are sharing and highlighting the great things that they are doing using technology,” said Ramm.

Participants from every school in town gathered in the Ferri Middle School library, where students showcased what they’ve accomplished with technology in their classrooms. On display was featured technology, including MakeBeliefComics, Voki, Padlet and Screencastify, computer science tools such as Stickbots, 3D printing, solid modeling, robotics, digital music production, online graphing and more. The event has grown so much that next year the Showcase will have to find a new home.

“Some of the kids, especially at the elementary level who have been a little more reserved, were so excited to share what they know and were so eloquent with what they had to say. They were talking with adults as if they were sitting next to their peers and were saying “Hey, look at what I can do and let me show you this,’” said Ramm. “They’ve grown their confidence, and that’s just what we need.”

She thanked her technology team for all of their efforts and the teachers in Johnston who have gone out of their way to expand and incorporate technology for children.