Sheryl R. Abshire, Ph.D., CCRE - [email protected]
Former Chief Technology Officer - Calcasieu Parish Public Schools - Lake Charles, LA
Ed Tech Specialist, Thought Partner, Consultant
Houston, Texas
Dr. Sheryl Abshire, with a career spanning over 40 years in education, stands out as an exceptional leader and innovator. As a veteran educator and visionary leader, her work has cemented her legacy in the intersection of education and technology.
As the former Chief Technology Officer of Calcasieu Parish Public Schools in Lake Charles, Louisiana, she successfully led the district's technology strategy for over two decades. Her academic credentials are robust, holding a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, an M.Ed. in Elementary Education, an Educational Specialist degree in School Administration and Supervision, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of New Orleans.
Dr. Abshire's tenure in education has been marked by her transformative approach to technology integration. She has been a pivotal figure in incorporating technology into curriculum areas not only within her district but also at state, national, and international levels. Her leadership extends to numerous national, state, and district committees, where she has focused on aligning technology with curriculum to revolutionize educational practices.
Her extensive experience in education includes roles as a school principal, K-5 teacher, library/media specialist, and as an Assistant Professor at Lamar University. Additionally, she has contributed as an adjunct professor at McNeese State University and Louisiana Tech University. Dr. Abshire is also recognized as one of the first national ISTE Certified Educators, a Certified Cybersecurity Rubric Evaluator (CCRE), and now excels as an Ed Tech Specialist, Thought Partner, Consultant and Facilitator for the CoSN Early Career K12 CTO Academy.
Dr. Abshire's expertise in grant writing has led to the successful funding of innovative technology programs across the nation. Her influence extends to federal levels, having been appointed by the FCC to the USAC board representing schools and libraries on ERATE matters. As a founding member of the ISTE NETS Writing Team and the Technology for School Administrators Writing Team, she has played a crucial role in integrating technology into standards-based education. Her involvement in the ISTE Standards and Accreditation Committee and contributions to the U.S. Department of Education's National Educational Technology Plan further highlight her commitment to shaping national educational policies.
Her accolades are numerous and prestigious. Dr. Abshire was the first teacher inducted into the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame and has held leadership positions such as the chair of the Consortium for School Networking in Washington, D.C. (CoSN). She has been recognized by ISTE with the Public Policy Advocate of the Year Award and the Making It Happen Award. The Louisiana Technology Council named her the Governor’s 2012 EWARD Technology Educator of the Year. In addition, she received the NCTET Community Builder Award for her significant contributions to technology integration in education and the CoSN Seymore Papert Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Dr. Abshire’s honors also include the NEA/NFIE Christa McAuliffe Fellow, Louisiana Technology Teacher of the Year, National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee, and many more. She is a nationally recognized consultant/speaker and author, known for her expertise in educational technology.
Dr. Abshire’s leadership extends to various advisory boards, including those of tech giants like Dell, Promethean, and Microsoft, and she has chaired the Louisiana Department of Education Committee to Advance Technology Standards. Her leadership extended to overseeing significant technological advancements in Louisiana schools, including managing proposals for over $200 million in funding. As the past Chair of the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana Board of Trustees, Dr. Abshire demonstrated her financial acumen by managing over $20 billion in state retirement funds.
Dr. Abshire’s career is marked by her passion for integrating technology into education, significantly enhancing teaching and learning experiences. Her former district, Calcasieu Parish Public Schools, is recognized as a model for innovative technology practices, a testament to her visionary leadership.She continues to be a highly sought-after speaker and expert in the field, sharing her knowledge and insights on funding, education, and technology across various platforms.
For more information regarding grantwriting please contact Dr. Sheryl Abshire at sheryl.abshire@gmail.com