Dianne Krause
"School is the equalizer. No matter a student’s home situation - socioeconomic status, devices, internet access."
Dianne Krause, Instructional Technology Specialist
Wissahickon School District
Ambler, PA
You’ve recently won an ISTE award and built a strong instructional coaching team. How do you see your team as a starting point for creative learning in Wissahickon School District?
I’m one of five instructional coaches. I’m the K-12 technology coach, there’s only one of me. We also have two elementary coaches, one secondary coach, and one math coach. I’m not their leader, but I do have the most experience, 18 years in this role, while the others have five years or less. We all work with teachers in different ways. I’m more of the on-demand coach. If someone wants to do something innovative with technology or teaching, they reach out to me. I also work with new teachers, as do the other coaches. Teachers often associate creativity with technology, especially in 2025, so they come to me for that. But creativity can also come from markers and paper or math activities. We follow Jim Knight’s partnership principles, we’re partners with teachers. We listen to their goals and layer in our expertise. Creativity often emerges through student engagement. Teachers are focused on observations, data, and the daily grind. We help them see the forest through the trees, and that’s where creativity can flourish.
Thinking back on your years in this role, what are one or two of the most engaging or coolest activities you’ve worked on with a teacher?
That’s hard, it’s been 18 years! I was a French teacher before becoming a tech coach. Even back then, I used tech-web quests, email pen pals, videos from France I bought with my own money. I wanted to bring the world into my classroom. In 2015, I attended Microsoft’s Educator Exchange in Redmond. My goal was to speak French with the French attendees. I met Fred from France, and we’re still friends. He became a contact for mystery Skype sessions with our sixth graders and AP French class. We connected year after year. Now, with Streamable Learning and AI, global collaboration continues. AI is a huge part of my job. I’m learning about it myself, finding the best tools for teachers and students. Our district supports AI as a tool, we’re not blocking it. Last Thursday, I ran an AI workshop for our secretaries. The director of technology was skeptical, but I said, “I got this.” We’ve trained support staff over the years - Office 365, OneDrive, Excel - and now AI. The workshop was well received. Secretaries told me it was the most relevant tech training they’d ever had. We talked about generative AI, used Copilot, practiced prompt engineering, and explored use cases. They understood how to apply it to their jobs. It was a win. Last spring, I had an anxious moment realizing there’s never not something new to learn. With Web 2.0, we had a handle on it. Now, there are so many tools, we have to vet them and decide what works for us. I went to PETE & C and came back with five more tools to explore. I can only handle five, not 5,000. The district relies on me to vet what’s good, and I need people willing to take risks with me.
What does global collaboration mean to Wissahickon School District?
It’s essential. We’re a global society, but schools still have walls, physical and metaphorical. We can’t always get supplies for labs or visit places like NASA or the Franklin Institute. So we bring the world into the classroom. Zooming with a physicist in their lab is a completely different experience than reading about it in a textbook. It makes learning real and meaningful.
How has global collaboration helped with equity and access to resources?
School is the equalizer. No matter a student’s home situation -socioeconomic status, devices, internet access - school can provide opportunities. We have the tech, hardware, software, and time. Streamable learning helps us orchestrate experiences for large groups. Many households can’t set up these opportunities, but schools can. We vet the sources and connect them to curriculum or fun, engaging content. We provide these opportunities for all kids, not just those who can afford it.
Lightning Questions
1. What book are you reading now?
The Depth Advantage: Deeper Learning in a Distracted World by John Spencer and AI Optimism: A Guide to Redefining Artificial Intelligence in Education by Becky Keene.
2. Who is one person you follow on social medial that you always learn something from or who makes you laugh?
Ethan Mollick / Ken Shelton.
3. Current favorite tech tool?
Canva “Code with me".
4. What is the best part about your role that others might not realize?
That I get the opportunity to work with many different teachers, administrators, coaches, and students and I learn from every single one of them!
5. What is one piece of advice you’ve received that has been the most beneficial to your career?
Don’t let your passions become your frustrations.
