Learning2 Board
DR. RICHARD T. KRAJCZAR
Board Chair
Richard T. Krajczar has held the position of Executive Director of the East Asia Regional Council of Schools since 2007, and also from 1996 to 2005. From 2003 to 2007 he was Executive Director of the Association for the Advancement of International Education. Dr. Krajczar, better known as Dr. K to the EARCOS family of schools received his BA and MA at the University of Wyoming and his Ed. Doctorate in Leadership from the University of Florida. Prior to assuming the helm of EARCOS, Dr. K held director and head of school positions at the International School of Kuala Lumpur, American Community School, Amman, Jordan and Damascus community School, Syria. He began his international career in 1972 as the K-12 principal at the American International School of Kabul, Afghanistan. Dr. K and his wife of 45 years, Sherry, have two children Josh and Morgan who both teach at international schools in Manila and Shanghai.
Kim Cofino
Board Member
Originally from the US, Kim is an enthusiastic and innovative globally-minded educator. Kim has been teaching internationally since 2000, first in Munich, Germany, then in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, next at the International School Bangkok in Thailand, and currently at Yokohama International School in Japan.
An Apple Distinguished Educator, her work focuses on helping core subject teachers authentically embed current and emerging technologies in the classroom to create a global and collaborative learning environment. Her inquiry-based, constructivist approach to teaching utilizes project-based learning experiences developed using the Understanding by Design process combined with the MYP Technology Design Cycle.
Kim regularly consults with other international schools interested in implementing 21st century learning, has been profiled on a number of educational websites and journals, is a member of the K12 Horizon Report Advisory Board 2008 – present, and is a regular presenter and keynote speaker at conferences and professional development sessions throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her professional blog, Always Learning, is an invaluable resource for teachers seeking examples of authentic student engagement.
JEFF UTECHT
Board Member
Jeff Utecht is an educational technology consultant, educator and author. He holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Technology as well as his administrative certification through Washington State. Jeff began his career in the Elementary Classroom at a public school in Washington State. In 2001, he was the recipient of a Bill and Melinda Gates Grant called the Technology Leadership Program. This marked the beginning of his journey with technology and learning.
Over the past 10 years, Jeff has taught at International Schools in the Middle East and Asia. Moving from a classroom teacher into technology facilitator roles and administrative positions, Jeff began sharing his passion for learning via his blog The Thinking Stick. In 2007, he was invited to create an innovative conference focusing on learning and technology; the Learning 2.0 Conference was initiated. He also began consulting with East Asia Regional Council of Schools. Continuing to share his vision, Jeff provided regular articles and blog posts for Tech&Learning publications, authored chapters in numerous books, worked as the educational consultant for a wiki company, and began speaking at schools and educational events around the globe. He has worked with politicians in Washington DC and participated in The Educational Project at the invitation of the Prince of Bahrain. In 2010 Jeff was invited to present at the first TEDx conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
As Jeff’s online presence grew, his blog reaching over 10,000 subscribers and his Twitter account growing to over 13,000 followers, he fully embraced the power of connections. Based on his own experiences of using technology for learning and connecting with people around the world, Jeff published his first book for educators titled Reach in June of 2010. He has continued to consult with web companies, educational organizations, and most recently has co-developed a Certificate of Educational Technology and Information Literacy program for educators.
Jeff is a Google Apps Certified Educational Trainer. In tandem with his values of collaboration and open source, he created the Google Ninja Program. This free program designed to support students and educators in their learning of the Google Applications is now widely used around the globe. It is Jeff’s belief in learning and future generations that continues to drive his passion.
Dan James
Board Member
Dan James became the Executive Director of the Positive Coaching Alliance Seattle Chapter in January of 2017. PCA is a US nonprofit that uses sport to develop “Better Athletes, Better People.” Prior to that Dan was the National Manager of Wheelchair Tennis for the United States Tennis Association where he served as the US Paralympic Coach at 5 Paralympic Games. He was critical to bringing wheelchair tennis to the US Open Grand Slam and did development work through wheelchair tennis in numerous developing nations. James resides in Seattle, WA.
JAMES LANEY JR
Board Treasurer
James Laney Jr was born in Yuma Arizona in 1959. He began his teaching career in the US Peace Corps in Kenya in the early 1980s. Now in his 30th year as an educator, he has worked in American and international schools in New York City, Nicosia, Taipei, Warsaw and Addis Ababa. He has been at teacher at all grade levels from K-12 and was the Director of Technology at Taipei American School. He served as a principal in elementary, middle and high school programs, prior to becoming Head of School at the International Community School of Addis Ababa in 2010. Jim holds a BSc in computer systems engineering from Oregon Institute of Technology, an MA in Science Education from Teachers College Columbia University, and has completed his doctoral coursework in International School Leadership from Boston University.
Simon May
Board Member
Simon is originally from New Zealand. He has worked in Florence, London, Caracas, Cairo, Bangkok, Shanghai and is at present working as a Technology Coach and Co Director of Digital Learning at the American School of Warsaw, where he has been for the last 3 years. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Trainer.
Simon works with teachers and students in the use of technology both in and out of the classroom. He also helps parents understand the technology their children use and bring into their homes.
Simon has been on the executive planning committee for Learning 2 since the first conference in 2007. His continued involvement in the conference is driven by his commitment to offering exceptional professional development opportunities.