At YES Prep Public Schools, we believe great teaching is amplified by purposeful technology. That belief fuels the Schoology Innovator Program, where teacher-leaders model blended learning strategies that inspire colleagues and open new possibilities for students.
What Is the Schoology Innovator Program?
The Schoology Innovator Program is a leadership opportunity for secondary teachers in grades 6 through 12 who are passionate about using technology to to transform learning and drive student achievement. Each YES Prep secondary campus has one Innovator, 15 in total, who serves as lead learners, campus models, and change agents for blended learning.
Innovators receive five days of specialized professional development each year and lead ongoing, tech-focused initiatives on their campuses. Their work is centered on four key commitments:
- Leverage and master tools that support student achievement such as Schoology, Nearpod, and Canva
- Grow and refine practice through experimentation and reflection
- Lead and support peers with coaching and resources
- Collaborate and problem-solve with campus and district leaders to strengthen blended learning implementation
As Jessie Crandall, Director of Instructional Technology, explained, “By empowering teachers to lead this work, YES Prep ensures that technology is not just an add-on. It is a meaningful part of teaching and learning that helps prepare every student for success in college, career, and life.”
Innovators as Peer Leaders
One of the program’s most powerful features is its peer-to-peer structure. Schoology Innovators are classroom teachers first, which makes them trusted leaders when supporting their colleagues.
“The heart of the Schoology Innovator Program is peer-to-peer support. When teachers learn from other teachers, change happens faster and lasts longer,” Crandall said.
Innovators lead professional development, mentor colleagues, and model new strategies for blended learning. Just as importantly, they support peers through everyday interactions such as sharing quick tips in the hallway, troubleshooting new tools, or brainstorming lesson ideas. These small but consistent moments create lasting cultural change on campuses.
Innovators in Action
Through blended learning, Innovators create classrooms where students are actively engaged and empowered with more voice and choice in their learning. By combining technology with strong teaching practices, they help students build deeper content knowledge while strengthening essential digital skills. Examples include:
- Gamifying lessons to boost motivation while using data to guide next steps.
- Creating digital posters in Canva for students to showcase their learning.
- Giving students options, such as reading an article or watching a video, to explore content.
- Using the Schoology Mastery Tracker so students can analyze their own progress and growth.
With YES Prep’s 1:1 model, every student has a device, making these innovations accessible to all. The result is more interactive, personalized, and impactful learning experiences across campuses.
Celebrating the 2025–26 Schoology Innovators
This year’s cohort of Schoology Innovators includes dedicated teacher-leaders from every YES Prep secondary school:
- Brays Oaks – Wallace Moore
- East End – Kassandra Olvera
- Fifth Ward – Tarah Zuber
- Gulfton – Melissa Campos
- Hobby – Joshua Velez-Arce
- North Central – Felicia Walker
- North Forest – Daijah Ray
- Northline – Ashley Isabell-Houston
- Northside – Sarah Hartzell
- Northwest – Tim Floyd
- Southside – Ataiya Bridges
- Southwest – Jah Lowery
- West – Rebecca Grillon
- White Oak – Travonda Flemming
These teacher-leaders represent every content area, bringing fresh ideas and best practices to their schools and to the district as a whole.
Looking Ahead
The Schoology Innovator Program is one more way YES Prep continues to lead in instructional technology, preparing students for a world where digital fluency is essential. As Crandall shared, her own experience with 1:1 technology as a teacher showed her how powerful these tools can be for both instruction and student growth.
“That is what I want every YES Prep teacher to experience. The ability to meet students’ needs in ways that were not possible before.”
To learn more about how YES Prep uses Schoology and digital tools to drive learning, visit yesprep.org/families/dashboards/schoology.