Neil Hokanson Resume

Neil Blake Hokanson

E-Mail admin@neilhokanson.com | Website http://www.neilhokanson.com

QUALIFICATIONS

I taught full-time in public schools for the thirteen years and have spent the past three years as a district educational technology director. I have experience teaching middle and high school students. I am a master teacher, who firmly believes in the middle school concept, and incorporated technology in my classroom for several years (see Hokanson’s Social Studies website). I served as head teacher and technology specialist at my most recent school. I currently hold a Nebraska Department of Education teaching certificate and a Wyoming Department of Education teaching certificate in the areas of World History, U.S. History, Geography, and have a Middle School endorsement. I earned a Master's of Science in Education Instructional Technology degree through the University of Wyoming on May 6, 2006.

EDUCATION

2006 MSEd University of Wyoming, major Instructional Technology GPA 4.0

2000 Middle School Endorsement Utah State University GPA 4.0

1993 BSEd University of South Dakota, major History Education, minor Social Science GPA 3.24

EMPLOYMENT

2007-Current Educational Technology Director, North Platte Public Schools, North Platte, NE

Direct educational technology initiatives for entire school district P-12 (10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 high school, 1 alternative high school, 4100+ students, 350+ teaching staff).  Develop, maintain, and implement district wide technology plan and faciltate digital device deployment.  Provide training and develop professional development resources that assist staff in embedding technology into a thinking culture based learning approach. Assist in management of a 10 staff member technology department.

1997-2007 Social Studies Teacher, Star Valley Middle School, Afton, WY

Served as a master teacher of World Geography, United States History, and American Studies courses to 7th and 8th grade students. Served as Head Teacher, Building Intervention Team Chair, and Social Studies Department Chair. Was part of the seventh grade middle school teaming/interdisciplinary approach for 5 years. I used the Boys Town Social Skills training approach with students that I advised and taught. I served as a school technology specialist and technology instructor for district staff development courses.

2002-2003 Consultant/Researcher, Journey Back in Time Website, Thayne, WY

Consultant and researcher for the educational website Journey Back in Time. Researched and summarized a vast historical newspaper library for student and teacher use (http://www.journeybackintime.com).

2000 Cooperating Teacher, Idaho State University

Served as an advisor to a student teacher in my middle school classroom.

1994-1997 Social Studies Teacher, Dakota Valley High School, Jefferson, SD

Served as a teacher of World Geography, World History, American History, and Humanities courses to primarily 9th and 10th grade students. Served as Building Level School Improvement Team Chair.

1993-1994 Substitute Teacher, Lincoln County School District #2, Afton, WY

Substitute teacher in all subjects and grade levels K-12.

1993 Student Teacher, Elk Point School District #61-3, Elk Point, SD

Student teacher of Civics, United States History, and World History to 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students.

Professional Organizations

National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
National Middle School Association (NMSA)
Phi Alpha Theta a history honor society
FFA Alumni Association Life Member
American Hereford Association Life Member

Awards & Nominations

North Platte Public Schools Shining Star Award 2009
Marquis Who's Who in the World 2007-2008
Marquis Who's Who in America 2006-2007
Nominated for membership in the honor society Phi Kappa Phi 2005
Who's Who Among America's Teachers 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007
Nominated for VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award 2000-2001, 2004-2005
USA Today Best Bet educational website in September 2003
Wyoming Department of Education Wyoming Education Gateway Lesson Plan Contest middle school division winner 2002-2003
Nominated for Disney American Teacher Award 2001-2002
Veteran's of Foreign Wars Americanism Award 2001
Wyoming School - University Partnership Instructional Excellence Award winner 2000-2001
Dakota Valley High School Teacher of the Year 1995-1996, 1996-1997

References

Tim Vanderheiden (principal Madison Middle School, NPPSD), (308) 535-7126
Dr. John Cochenour (professor/department head UW), (307) 766-3247, johncoc@uwyo.edu
Dr. Landra Rezabek (professor UW), (307) 766-3720, rezabek@uwyo.edu
Dr. Steven Aagard (professor UW), (307) 766-4304, aagard@uwyo.edu
Kem Cazier (principal SVMS), (307) 885-5208, kcazier@lcsd2.org
Russ Gardner (assistant principal SVMS), (307) 885-5208, rgardner@lcsd2.org
Alan Linford (retired principal SVMS), (307) 886-3941
Gary Hancock (director of technology LCSD2), (307) 885-7847, ghancock@lcsd2.org
Gary Berger (former SPED teacher SVMS), (928) 635-4428 ext 317, gberger@wusd2.org
Mike Kocha (owner JBIT website), (307) 883-8650, milink@silverstar.com
Chris Bernard (former principal DVHS), (712) 475-3311, cbernard@george-lr.k12.ia.us
Dr. Carleton Holt (former superintendent DVSD), (479) 575-5112, cholt@uark.edu
Dr. Gary Zalud (professor USD), (605) 677-5207, gzalud@usd.edu

2004-2010 © Neil Hokanson