Instructional Technology Educating Kids (iTEK)

Apply for iTEK programs here!

iTEK (Instructional Technology Educating Kids) is Joplin School District’s nationally recognized tiered program for the district's instructional technology professional development:

TLA (Technology Leadership Academy) -All All Teachers have the opportunity to participate!!
Mentors for TLA -For those who have gone through TLA and would like to mentor new members.
CITs (Curriculum Instructional Technologist) (No Applications being taken at this time.)
eJOPLIN (Enhancing Joplin’s Opportunities by Preparing & Leading Instructional Networking systems)
eMINTS (Enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies)
PD4ETS (Professional Development for Educational Technology Specialists)

The iTEK program allows us to merge instruction and technology resulting in increased student engagement, the building of student communities, and ultimately a contribution to increased student achievement. In addition, instructional technology is a critical portion of the MSIP Cycle review, the district CSIP plan, and the district Technology Plan.

Every district teacher participates in the base tier of iTEK, Technology Leadership Academy (TLA). TLA is an articulated professional development program that provides ALL district teachers with a strong and consistent pedagogical base using the eMINTS instructional model (inquiry-based teaching powered by technology).

Through the TLA program every district teacher has a high-end laptop and award winning eMINTS instructional technology professional development. In addition, every classroom has a Smart Board and LCD projector system used for instruction. Upon completion of TLA, teachers have the opportunity to participate in the upper tiers of the iTEK program through an application process.

See image of iTEK Hierarchy below. (Click on image to see a larger version.)