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RCSD Administrator Honored as Leader in Digital Education

(April 1, 2024) The Rochester City School District is proud to announce the 2024 Leader in Digital Education Award presented on behalf of the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS).  SAANYS has selected Timothy Johnsen, the RCSD’s Executive Director of Instructional Technology, as its award recipient.  SAANYS says the award recognizes a member who has demonstrated exceptional, creative leadership in harnessing the potential of technology to further teaching and student achievement. 

An RCSD employee since 2008, Johnsen recently led a transformative project aimed at modernizing decades-old technology in over 1,700 classrooms within the District.  This initiative was designed to equip students with cutting-edge classroom technology, which included the installation of modern SMARTBoards mounted on height-adjustable mounts, advanced document cameras, and ScreenBeams for wireless casting.  Johnsen was able to lead this project to completion ahead of schedule and within budget constraints.  He has also played a pivotal role in leading a District-wide transition to ensure more than 22,000 students have access to devices and internet connectivity. 

“Tim holds a firm belief that technology is a tool that provides both students and staff with the unique modality to connect with one another and the ability to deliver engaging instruction,” said Glen VanDerwater, Chief Technology Officer for the RCSD.  “Tim has implemented mission-critical systems that have proven to enhance Rochester’s graduation rate through our Virtual Academy of Rochester and student engagement using the Google suite along with other instructional software applications.”

Mr. Johnsen began his career in the District as a science teacher and then as a technology specialist for Integrated Arts and Technology High School before moving to a position at Central Office.  He has a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo, a master’s degree in Geoscience from Mississippi State University, and a master’s degree in education leadership from St. John Fisher University. 

Mr. Johnsen will be recognized at SAANYS’ annual awards celebration on Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Saratoga Hilton in Saratoga, New York.