Jacob Luevano and Andrew Houlik-Ritchey, Education Service Center (ESC) Region 13 Apple Community Project Program Managers, were recognized by Apple as Community Education Initiative (CEI) Ambassadors. Established in 2021, Apple’s CEI Ambassador program recognizes educators for their local leadership and commitment to using technology to expand access to opportunities for learners in their community.
“At Apple, we have always believed in the power of education to create opportunity—and we know that when great teachers have access to great technology, students are able to unlock their highest potential,” said Stacy Erb, Apple’s Director of Community Education initiatives.
“We’re proud to recognize this latest cohort of CEI Ambassadors, who demonstrate leadership, creativity, and a passion for helping students dream big and develop new skills.”
“Our local school districts in Central Texas and Houston are making tough budgetary decisions. Many have cut positions supporting instructional technology services to help balance the budget,” said Josh Mitchell, ESC Region 13’s College and Career Readiness Senior Coordinator.
“Andrew and Jacob’s work is helping fill the instructional technology gap by utilizing research-based instructional coaching practices to help all teachers and librarians feel confident implementing coding and digital creativity programming and mentoring others at their schools.”
Through the program, CEI Ambassadors gain access to professional learning and coaching from a team of Apple experts. In these sessions, they learn best practices for using iPads to create engaging learning experiences, build the skills and confidence to teach introductory coding with Swift, explore Apple’s Everyone Can Create resources to enhance student creativity, and create a community with other educators from around the world.
For more than 40 years, Apple has partnered with educators to support innovation in the classroom. Through its work in education, the company has shared its cutting-edge technology and professional learning resources with millions of students and educators, equipping them with the tools to create new worlds, connect in engaging ways, and pursue the jobs of tomorrow.
ESC Region 13 established the Launchpad program with the support of the CEI in 2022 to bring coding, creativity, and career exploration to learners of all ages in communities worldwide.
Learn, connect, and be inspired in the Apple Education Community.
Holly Zeiner is the Content Marketing Specialist at ESC Region 13.
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