Northern Michigan University alumnus Steve Kass received the 2022 Innovative Leader Award from the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning. He was honored during the March 17 opening keynote at MACUL's annual conference in Grand Rapids.
Kass received his bachelor's degree from NMU in 2007. He was a secondary education double major in business and economics.
For the past decade, Kass has worked as an educational technologist for Regional Educational Media Center 1, which supports Copper Country schools and Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District (ISD) areas. His primary focus is to assist teachers in integrating and utilizing technology for educational purposes.
Kass leads and plans professional development sessions, prepares resources for teachers to use, and coaches fellow teachers on the use of technology.
“I enjoy working with all of the teachers across our regions and introducing them to new technology tools, ideas and approaches,” he said. “I feel I get to play a small part in the educational growth of students. It is rewarding to see them experience and benefit from the technology resources and ideas that I helped to equip their classroom with.”
According to its website, the Regional Educational Media Center Association of Michigan is a nonprofit established in 1969. Its members are the 28 local REMCs operated through the ISD structure.
Prior to his job with REMC 1, Kass worked as a high school teacher and as a trainer for a technology company.
“I felt well equipped for the jobs due to the education I received at NMU,” he said. “NMU provided me with valuable technology, communication, technical and creative thinking skills that have helped me succeed in a fast-paced, ever-changing technology field.”
"Steve has been a huge supporter of our program post-graduation coordinating transportation to the state conference for our students, helping us arrange discounts, and leading the organization of the MACUL conference where our alum and students benefit," said Joe Lubig, associate dean and director of NMU's School of Education, Leadership and Public Service.
The MACUL awards recognize members who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the use of technology to improve education. They include Innovative Teacher and Innovative District, in addition to Kass' Innovative Leader honor.
The winners will receive gifts on behalf of several education technology companies, MACUL, Adobe Education Community Programs, REMCAM and Michigan Virtual.
Founded in 1975, MACUL is a 33,000-member, non-profit organization dedicated to bringing educators from all levels together to ignite learning through meaningful collaboration and innovation. Visit www.macul.org for more information.