Mission

To be a source of professional development which assists and empowers educational communities to respond productively and responsibly in a networked global society.

Vision

TIE is committed to the ongoing capacity building of all stakeholders of the educational community, both internally and externally. In fulfilling this commitment, TIE strives to provide and create opportunities for positive and continued growth. Continued growth demands routine reflection, internal dialogue, and constant resolve for professional improvement and increased excellence. As its mission is carried out, the following observable traits describe the culture of TIE—

• Structures and processes that support a culture of lifelong learning in a networked global society are valued and pursued.
• Research and experience are recognized as important and the "nuggets" gleaned are used to thoughtfully engage in change and growth.
• Partnerships with many diverse educational stakeholders and educational communities are pursued, created, and maintained.
• Implications and challenges of a networked global society are embraced as the impetus to create new, valid intelligences which provide a foundation for ongoing school reform.
• Broad-based awareness of curriculum, technology, and effective learning processes are used as the catalyst for systemic school reform.
• Teaching and learning environments that empower educational stakeholders to interact and function in new productive roles are planned and created collaboratively.
• Values that ensure integrity, accountability, and responsibility for a safe, healthy, and respectful global society are supported and practiced.

Within the Vision of TIE, technology, curriculum, assessment, innovations, and leadership are viewed as an integrated whole. This integration is also reflected in the broad-based knowledge and experience of the staff. The strength of TIE is multiplied through the strength of the staff, and the Vision of TIE is realized through the collective vision of its individual staff members.

Philosophy

At TIE we believe that educational stakeholders and communities should embrace the potential challenges and changes of the future with confidence and high expectations. We are all stakeholder/leaders who must have a vision of and accept responsibility for what students should know and be able to do because of their academic experience.

Leaders begin with their vision and plan learning opportunities, assessment approaches, and instructional practices. Technology, curriculum, and assessment must be recognized as the compelling tools of action for the twenty-first century. Research and reason tell us that change is a fact of life—an opportunity with challenges—and innovative technology is the strategy, means, and methodology essential for guiding, managing, and processing the journey.

We believe that technology is a powerful tool for educational leaders and for educational leadership. It can provide a broad base for personal and/or professional learning/development through various electronic and human networks. It can provide the venue and avenue for modeling exemplary and compelling practice while making student-centered learning a reality. When technology is an integral, integrated part of the educational process, curriculum and assessment come to life and success is not the exception, but rather the expectation for all.

History

Established in 1986 as a regional, non-profit project, Technology and Innovation in Education (TIE) is administered by Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, an intermediate educational agency. It is TIE’s mission to serve as a source of professional development that assists and empowers educational communities to respond productively and responsibly in a networked global society. Staffed by a team of professionals with expertise in areas such as technology, curriculum, assessment, instruction, evaluation, and professional development, TIE provides leadership and assistance to schools and educators regarding current issues in education. TIE leaders value shared decision-making and embrace the disciplines associated with effective learning organizations.

While TIE’s service area primarily includes states surrounding the Black Hills region, TIE has also established a membership structure designed to address specific needs of South Dakota schools. Nearly 100% of school districts and public universities choose to participate in the TIE membership program. An advisory board of educational leaders from across the state provides input and direction for TIE membership activities.

On an annual basis, TIE provides professional development activities for more than 10,000 educators across the region. An educational technology conference launched in 1987 has grown into the state’s largest, annual conference attracting 3,000 participants. In the fall of 2000, TIE initiated the first annual systems change conference for school leaders. In addition to ongoing work responding to a diversity of school needs, TIE administers a host of major grants programs at the state and federal level.

TIE has established a strong reputation as a collaborative partner and progressive leader committed to helping schools build essential capacity for improving teaching and learning in these changing times. Noted as a change agent, TIE "walks the talk" by modeling effective processes for accomplishing meaningful organization development and change. TIE leaders appreciate the challenges facing practioners in the field and strives to identify practical, meaningful strategies for applying the learnings of sound educational research to teaching and learning in classrooms.