Rachel Verschaeve

Rachel Verschaeve is an innovative Educational Technology consultant for St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA). Rachel is one of the lead architects of Design4theFuture; an initiative focused on career and college readiness systems in ST. Clair County.

Rachel spent 13 years as a Language Arts teacher for Almont Community Schools before accepting her current role as an Educational Technology consultant. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching, Reading and Language Arts from Oakland University. She also has a Master’s degree in Education and Technology from the University of Michigan-Flint.

Multifaceted

Starting out in the education and technology program at University of Michigan she was somewhat apprehensive not fully understanding how the set of skills she was going to acquire would apply to her role in education.  She later discovered that her acquired skills would come in great use as an Educational consultant. Since she would be spending a portion of her time providing support to educators, adaptability was a requirement. Different teachers have different needs and concerns and therefore the educational technology consultants require a broad range of skills and knowledge.

Ed Tech

Attending the Technology and Education program at University of Michigan challenged her thinking and helped her build a digital portfolio. It was in this program that she was introduced to inquiry and project-based learning. “ I feel like I got an innovation degree, more than an educational technology degree.” Design thinking is one of the skills she acquired in the program and is currently using in her role an educational consultant because she is constantly working to reshape thinking and learning.

One of the advantages she has an educational technology consultant is her ability to empathize with the educators she works with. After spending over a decade in the classroom she is able to fully understand the role of an educator and help them overcome barriers through their transition.

Rachel describes herself as “the classic lifelong educator.”  She has an extensive background in education that allowed her to transition into the role as a consultant as well as other leadership’s roles.  She currently serves as a lead champion of Project Based Learning in St. Clair county, and in this role she develops learning prospects that help to reshape teaching and learning for teachers and students. Rachel helps to produce programs and services in various learning structures including county, district, and classroom levels.

Design 4 the Future

Design4theFuture in one of the projects where Rachel is one of the lead architects. In this initiative she designs programs for K-12 students in St. Clair County.  Design4theFuture prepares students for life after high school. The goal is to “ensure all the young people in St. Clair County have a life plan tailored specifically to them.” for Design4theFuture. In this role she has the opportunity to connect with educators, community members, and local businesses.

The World is Changing

Drawn to educational technology because the world was and still is changing. After taking the 21 things 4 teachers course Rachel discovered the world of technology and education. With the discovery of available online tools for teachers and students she begin her journey of education and technology. As a committed educator she recognized the benefits of technology could bring to her student’s education. Since technology was already becoming a large part of student’s everyday lives, it was time to integrate.  

“Educational technology was a draw as, watching how the world was changing; trying to meet student’s needs; that is what always drives my interest,” she said.  In her role as an Educational Technology consultant she is constantly learning and evolving as new technologies are introduced.

Rachel is not only a lifelong educator but she is also a lifelong learner. She said, “We learn a ton, we’re constantly learning and staying up to date on what’s coming and going, on what’s happening in education.”  Most of an Educational Technology consultant learning is self-instructed but there are some training requirements as well.

Second Life

Rachel journey through educational technology has been unexpected to say the least. “I thought I would have been one of those people that would start in teaching and would retire in teaching.”  She never could have imagined that her role as an educator would lead to her new position as an assistant director. This coming July Rachel will again step into a new leadership role as an assistant director St. Clair County RESA. She attributes her evolution to the experience and skills she gained as an educator and as a student in the University of Michigan-Flint Educational Technology program. In her future role she will continue to focus her effort on developing the best learning outcomes and empowering her students.

For more information check out Rachel’s blog at Class4theFuture.

Written by: Gia Carroll April 2017