ABOUT

The idea for EdTech Pencil Box started long before it had a name. As a child, I loved turning a folding TV tray into a desk for my dolls—teaching was stitched into my heart from the start. Years later in college, an assignment to write my philosophy of education initiated the ETPB spark with the opening sentence: “Education is like a pencil box—it’s only as good as what you put in it.”

That simple idea has followed me ever since. My first big “aha” came in a middle school hallway with a dusty closet, an old Apple computer, and a pondering question—how do I help my students fall in love with reading? I need more reading options to give them choices beyond our textbook. What I found tucked away in that closet wasn’t just an answer; it was a reminder that magic often hides in the most ordinary places. With a little curiosity and courage, we transformed our reading culture school-wide, and I was hooked on exploring methods of effectively integrating technology.

From there, the journey grew: leading PD sessions, building and managing student tech teams, consulting with schools, and eventually…my path lead where I never even imagined, I traded in my Mrs. D for Dr. D, and joined the College of Education and Human Sciences faculty at Louisiana Tech University to help nurture and lead the next generation of educators.  Through every season, one truth has stayed steady—education still is like that pencil box. When we fill it with purpose, curiosity, and a little bit of sparkle, learning becomes something truly special.

What began as a classroom spark has grown into a full-blown mission—to support teacher leaders, empower innovation, and add a little extra sparkle to learning. Here’s a glimpse of how the story unfolded.