BIOGRAPHY
“Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation." ~ John F. Kennedy
Vann is an educator, author and motivational speaker who is known for his exuberant outlook on life and energetic demeanor. Raised in a small rural town in northeastern North Carolina, Vann is an avid traveler who believes in self-growth through life’s challenges. Determined to live in and on purpose, his desire is to share his love for life and learning by encouraging others to use their gifts to change the world. As a classroom teacher in Business and Marketing Education for six years and district instructional technology coordinator for four years, Vann’s enthusiasm and dynamic teaching style which includes dance, music, movement, art, discussions, and lots of technology earned him the nickname “Super Vann” and “The Energizer Bunny of Technology.”
Vann has taken on many leadership roles, including helping to spearhead the implementation of the one-to-one initiative in the Edenton-Chowan Public Schools, co-creating an elective for John A. Holmes High School entitled International Studies where the local high school has partnered with a high school in Denmark to study virtually and through visits, and founded the local chapter of the National Technical Honor Society for Career and Technical Education students. His article “A Small District’s Journey to 1 to 1,” published in THE Journal summarizes the plan, goals for the district, and its impact on student learning. Vann also worked as an Educator on Loan with the Division of Digital Teaching and Learning at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction where he provided professional development and support for students, teachers, and administrators throughout the state of North Carolina, facilitating their efforts to effectively integrate technology to engage students and foster learning. Vann has recently served as the Director of Technology and Innovation at The Barrie School in Silver Spring, Maryland and the Director of Instructional Technology at St. Mary's Academy in Englewood, Colorado. A lifelong learner, Vann is a Google Apps for Education Certified Teacher and Apple Foundations Trainer. He has earned several other certifications and is the winner of several awards and recognitions including being named the 2010-2011 North Carolina AT&T Region 1 (Northeast) Regional Teacher of the Year and is the recipient of the 2013 North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTIES) Outstanding Leader Award.
Vann believes in self-improvement and spends his free time improving his fluency in Spanish, taking piano lessons and sampling fine cuisine. He also enjoys a bit of adventure and will readily accept the challenge to try new things, such as white water rafting, skydiving, and participating in CSI simulations. He is active in church and community activities and firmly believes that one person can make a difference in the world.
EDUCATION
Old Dominion University – Norfolk, Virginia
Ph.D. in Education – Occupational and Technical Studies (Career & Technical Education Concentration)
North Carolina State University – Raleigh, North Carolina
Master’s of Education – Curriculum & Instruction (Business & Marketing Education Concentration)
North Carolina State University – Raleigh, North Carolina
Bachelor of Science – Business & Marketing Education (Business Management Minor)
Vann has taken on many leadership roles, including helping to spearhead the implementation of the one-to-one initiative in the Edenton-Chowan Public Schools, co-creating an elective for John A. Holmes High School entitled International Studies where the local high school has partnered with a high school in Denmark to study virtually and through visits, and founded the local chapter of the National Technical Honor Society for Career and Technical Education students. His article “A Small District’s Journey to 1 to 1,” published in THE Journal summarizes the plan, goals for the district, and its impact on student learning. Vann also worked as an Educator on Loan with the Division of Digital Teaching and Learning at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction where he provided professional development and support for students, teachers, and administrators throughout the state of North Carolina, facilitating their efforts to effectively integrate technology to engage students and foster learning. Vann has recently served as the Director of Technology and Innovation at The Barrie School in Silver Spring, Maryland and the Director of Instructional Technology at St. Mary's Academy in Englewood, Colorado. A lifelong learner, Vann is a Google Apps for Education Certified Teacher and Apple Foundations Trainer. He has earned several other certifications and is the winner of several awards and recognitions including being named the 2010-2011 North Carolina AT&T Region 1 (Northeast) Regional Teacher of the Year and is the recipient of the 2013 North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTIES) Outstanding Leader Award.
Vann believes in self-improvement and spends his free time improving his fluency in Spanish, taking piano lessons and sampling fine cuisine. He also enjoys a bit of adventure and will readily accept the challenge to try new things, such as white water rafting, skydiving, and participating in CSI simulations. He is active in church and community activities and firmly believes that one person can make a difference in the world.
EDUCATION
Old Dominion University – Norfolk, Virginia
Ph.D. in Education – Occupational and Technical Studies (Career & Technical Education Concentration)
North Carolina State University – Raleigh, North Carolina
Master’s of Education – Curriculum & Instruction (Business & Marketing Education Concentration)
North Carolina State University – Raleigh, North Carolina
Bachelor of Science – Business & Marketing Education (Business Management Minor)