In a remarkable recognition of his exceptional leadership in educational technology, Dr. Jack Parker has been named the recipient of the 2024 Candice Dodson EdTech Trailblazer Award through the Indiana Chapter of CoSN, the Consortium for School Networking organization. This prestigious honor highlights Dr. Parker's outstanding efforts to advance educational technology and foster innovation within his district, positively impacting students, educators, and the broader education community.

The Candice Dodson EdTech Trailblazer Award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated transformative leadership in the integration of technology in education. Named after Candice Dodson, a visionary leader in edtech, the award celebrates those who push boundaries to create lasting, positive change in educational practices through innovative solutions. 

Dr. Parker has made significant contributions to digital learning in Mt. Vernon Community Schools, particularly through the development of PeDe, an AI chatbot designed to assist school administrators in navigating leadership dilemmas. "PeDe," an AI-powered chatbot, offers school leaders a unique role-playing experience where they can describe real-world leadership challenges. The system guides them through relevant board policies, staff handbooks, and district regulations while asking strategic questions based on Mt. Vernon Leadership Principles, such as decision-making, ethical conduct, and collaboration. After each scenario, PeDe provides feedback and summarizes key leadership principles applied, fostering leadership growth. This innovative tool has been invaluable for building and district administrators, ensuring that decisions are informed by both policy and best practices. It has set a new standard for how technology can enhance leadership development in education. He recently presented his transformational ChatGPT at both the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents and the Mid-American Association of School Superintendents. Dr. Parker’s work in this field exemplifies these principles, as he has made significant strides in reimagining how technology can enhance both learning and teaching. Dr. Parker will be the Indiana Chapter of CoSN’s nominee for the national CoSN and AASA EmpowerED Digital Superintendent of the Year Award which will be awarded in March.

Seth Hamilton, Mt. Vernon’s Director of Technology, nominated Dr. Parker for the Award and shared, “Dr. Parker has consistently supported the technology department and our efforts to align initiatives with the district's strategic goals. His focus on thoughtful technology integration and innovation has encouraged us to find practical solutions that enhance teaching and learning and provide functional improvements to district processes. Dr. Parker’s leadership ensures that our work has a meaningful impact on students, staff, and the community. I am proud that Mt. Vernon Schools has a leader like him, and it’s fitting that he’s being recognized with the Candice Dodson EdTech Trailblazer Award.”

Dr. Parker’s receipt of the 2024 Candice Dodson EdTech Trailblazer Award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of his trailblazing efforts and a bright reminder of the transformative potential of technology in education. With leaders like Dr. Parker, the future of education is not only promising—it’s boundless.