About Me!

Hi there!

My name is Natasha Rachell and I'm an alternatively certified 6-12 Broad Field Science Teacher, turned Math and Science Transition to Teaching Coach, turned Professional Learning Coach, turned Educational Technology Specialist, turned Science Digital Learning Specialist and most currently serving as the Director of Instructional Technology for a large metropolitan school district!  Whew! 

I'm married and have 2 wonderful and amazing sons! I love science, education, and technology! If it's pink and sparkly, it's for me!  I'm a girly girl to the core and run on Starbucks!  I am truly a life long learner! Most educators are...right?  I truly believe that all students can and will learn IF they have the RIGHT teacher in front of them, in the RIGHT school, and at the RIGHT time! 

The district that I work in provides TONS of technology opportunities and resources for teachers and students so it's imperative that I stay up to date and current with what's new in the world of education and technology and soak it all in! Hence, I am a Google Certified Trainer and Innovator as well as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert!  These tools have allowed teachers and students to collaborate, critically think, communicate and be creative!  They have totally transformed the way that teachers teach and the way that our students learn!  

Google Certified Innovator/Trainer

In June of 2018, I was selected as 1 of 37 Google Innovators for the #LAX18 cohort!  This was such a HUGE honor and as a result I was able to attend an intense training academy for 3 days in Los Angeles with my new family of Innovators.  After leaving the Google Innovator Academy, each Innovator had a year to get a proposed Innovator project up and running!  My Innovator Project is called MentorMeEdu and it seeks to help solve the problem of NEW teacher attrition through a virtual mentoring program. 

I am also a Google Certified Trainer!  Google Apps for Education has transformed teaching and learning in my district and in the district that my youngest son goes to school.  I love being able to train teachers and administrators on all things Google!  Seeing the lightbulb go off when they find a tool that not only excites them, but that they will actually use makes me warm and fuzzy!  I have seen teachers flip their classrooms through the use of Google for Education.  Students and teachers are no longer transporting flash drives everywhere they go!  I truly believe that the tools provided through Google for Education allow teachers and students to work smarter and not harder!

Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert/Surface Expert

Microsoft for Education, started out as Outlook in our district and has since expanded into the suite that we all know and love!  The tools allow for communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking among our teachers and students.  Becoming an MIEExpert has expanded my knowledge of the Microsoft tools and allowed me to share this knowledge throughout our district as we certify Microsoft Innovative Experts in our schools!  In addition, Ive had the AMAZING opportunity to become a Microsoft Surface Expert! Receiving this honor has empowered me to learn and share my knowledge of the Surface and Windows 10 with our students and staff!  Some of my favorite tools are Sway, Mix and OneNote! I also love sharing Skype, ClassNotebook, StaffNotebook and Teams as resources to transform teacher's classrooms! We are preparing our students to be college and career ready through the implementation of the Microsoft tools in their classrooms!   

Our Voice Academy Cohort 1

I am highly honored to be a part of the first cohort of the Our Voice Academy!  Here is a description of the Academy:  The goal of this 2-day event is for educators of color to own our voice by building greater capacity to share our expertise, tell our stories on national and international stages, and stake claim to visible leadership in our field.  

Here's a little more information on Our Voice Academy:

The Academy focuses on three primary thematic areas: Access, Visibility and Leadership.  

ACCESS: Increase Access - gain access to event stages and further gain recognition as an expert in the field. 

VISIBILITY: Represent school / organization and grow networks by sharing positive stories at a larger scale and connecting with other education leaders around the globe.  

LEADERSHIP: Build Leadership by demonstrating initiative, sharing vision and calls to action. learn more by visiting:  www.ourvoiceacademy.com 

Director of Instructional Technology

By day (and sometimes by night...lol) I am the Director of Instructional Technology for my school district!  In this position, I work with 4 amazing Digital Learning Specialists and 40 Educational Technology Specialists to ensure that innovative and effective technology integration is happening in all of our schools, for all of our students across the district.  We are a group of innovative "techie" educators who are all certified teachers and together we bring a lot to the table! Being strong in our content along with having a passion for technology makes us a unique group of peeps!  

Educational Background

Bachelor of Science, Biology Pre Med

Master of Education, Education Administration

Educational Specialist, Curriculum and Instruction

Educational Doctorate, Organizational Leadership with and Emphasis in Effective Schools

Certifications/Accomplishments

Co-Creator of MinecraftEDU's Good Trouble Lessons

Co-Creator of MinecraftEDU's Juneteenth Lessons

Founder of MentorMeEdu

Our Voice Academy-Cohort 1

Google for Education Certified Innovator

Google for Education Certified Trainer 

Google Level 1 Certified

Google Level 2 Certified

Apple Teacher

Microsoft Innovative Educator

Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert

Surface Expert

Minecraft Certified

Minecraft Mentor

Co-Creator of Minecraft's "Good Trouble" lesson series 

Flipgrid Certified Educator

Flipgrid Community Builder

Flipgrid Ambassador

Adobe Creative Educator-Level 1 and 2

Wakelet Ambassador

Buncee Creator

Seesaw Ambassador

Alpha Squirrel

Brainpop Certified Educator

Plickers Ambassador

Promethean Master Educator

Certified Educator, Digital Citizenship, Common Sense Media

STAR Discovery Educator

Remind Certified Educator

Strengths

• Enthusiastic, proactive, and positive professional educator.
• A talent for involving and motivating students and educators of all ability levels.
• A genuine interest in and respect for young people and fellow professionals.
• Peer trainer for teachers learning how to integrate technology in the classroom.
• The ability to establish positive relationships with fellow professionals and parents.
• Strong leadership qualities and the ability to manage challenging behavior calmly and effectively.
• Successful at identifying ways to help students feel comfortable with science and technology.
• A passion for technology and a commitment to maintaining up-to-date knowledge in its implementation.
• Highly developed computer skills, with in-depth experience of utilizing technology in the classroom to maximize the learning experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey subject material in an accessible and compelling manner

Be the change you wish to see in the world -Mahatma Gandhi

To whom much is given, much is required.

Tell the ENTIRE story!  “The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)