Stefani Pautz

Pautz, who received her doctorate in instructional technology from TU in 2016, is on the front lines implementing an ambitious plan to transform the county’s classrooms into “learner-centered” environments, in which all students will do a large portion of their work using individually issued electronic devices.

According to Pautz, Towson University’s instructional technology Ph.D. program equipped her with tools she uses daily to make effective decisions for the school system.

“Towson University’s program helped me not only to develop the knowledge and skills I would need to implement instructional technology in my own teaching,” says Pautz, “but also to lead organizational changes in the field.”

For her dissertation, Pautz examined the experience of principals whose schools were undergoing 1:1 technology integration. The findings provide important insights on leading the conversion.

“ We’re helping our students build the skills they need to navigate our digital world. ”

During her 13 years as an educator, and before matriculating to TU, Pautz became aware that a dramatic change in how teachers teach and students learn was both necessary and inevitable. She witnessed her students growing up relying upon cell phones and computers to communicate, connect and get information.

That’s why she chose to pursue her doctorate in instructional technology. Though it was a three-hour commute from her home in Salisbury, Towson University was her top choice.

Now, having moved to the Baltimore area, Pautz is delighted to have the opportunity to impact thousands of teachers and students.

“There’s so much power in teaching young people to use technology appropriately,” says the first-generation college graduate.

“We’re helping our students build the skills they need to navigate our digital world.”