Advancing Education through Strategic Technology Integration

Evan OBranovic, Executive Director of Technology, Traverse City Area Public Schools

Evan OBranovic is a seasoned expert in educational technology integration. He has held multiple roles, including classroom teacher and technology integration specialist, which have deepened his understanding of how technology can elevate learning. Currently, he is the executive director of technology at Traverse City Area Public Schools.

In an interview with Education Technology Insights, OBranovic shares his professional journey and various roles and responsibilities. Drawing from his experience, he discussed current challenges in the education sector and offered practical strategies for addressing them.

Shaping Learning Journeys with Thoughtful Expertise

I began my journey in education as a fourth-grade teacher in Colorado, where I spent six years building strong connections with students and discovering my passion for teaching. Over time, I was drawn to technology-based instructional tools and strategies. When my former district approached me to become a technology integration specialist, I embraced the opportunity to support educators and drive district-wide initiatives.

During my five-year tenure, I learned the field's instructional and technical sides through mentorship from the district’s technology director. That experience prepared me for a new challenge as the executive director of technology at Traverse City Area Public Schools. With a team highly committed to expanding the technology infrastructure, I serve nearly 10,000 students across 16 buildings. My teaching background helps me bridge the gap between classroom needs and technological solutions that truly serve educators.

Empowering Education with Aligned Learning Systems

Integrating technology into education is always a challenge. Funding constraints and slower adoption cycles often make us feel like we are playing catch-up with the private sector. One of the biggest hurdles is the difference in staff readiness. Some educators are confident and eager to explore new tools, while others need more time and support to feel comfortable using them.

The goal is to support student learning by aligning technology with curriculum standards. We must ensure teachers understand the available tools and feel confident using them to help students progress through thoughtful integration that simplifies teaching and enhances learning. My role is to design systems that bridge gaps, spark growth and prepare students for a future shaped by constant change.

Integrating personalized technologies in schools is easier said than done. The universal challenge is making training adaptable yet aligned to helping students. When tools reduce barriers and enhance instruction, they become assets in the classroom, not distractions from meaningful learning.

Turning Obstacles into Strengths

There is often a misconception about how easily AI can generate quality content. Adoption requires thoughtful training and ethical guidance. I often see hesitation from colleagues for good reason. Data security is critical, and threat actors pose real risks. We focus on finding strong protection tools and explore platforms like Gemini through our Google for Education accounts. We have taken a proactive approach by developing guidelines and establishing responsible practices around AI use.

Training educators and students requires tailored strategies. Students already have access to and use AI, forcing teachers to reimagine teaching that elevates thinking beyond surface-level tasks.

“Our goal is to design flexible and user-friendly classrooms that are standardized across the district but adaptable to different teaching styles and student needs. All students, regardless of school or location, deserve equal access and experience”

AI is evolving constantly. It won’t disappear, and districts must embrace it wisely. We encourage feedback from teachers and students and look to others for insights. By sharing best practices and staying engaged, we aim to prepare everyone for the next wave of innovation. We must strive to create equitable access, safeguard data and ensure AI enhances learning rather than replacing it. The goal is to grow together and ensure no one gets left behind.

Transforming Classrooms with Thoughtful Technology Integration

AI continues to show promise in transforming teaching and learning, even as we stand at the beginning of that journey. At the same time, we are rethinking classroom technology setups to better support instruction and student engagement. We have spent time piloting different approaches to display content, moving toward interactive panels and aligning them with our one-to-one device initiative. Even simple tech, like voice lift, ensures students hear clearly, especially those with auditory needs.

Our goal is to design flexible and user-friendly classrooms that are standardized across the district but adaptable to different teaching styles and student needs. All students, regardless of school or location, deserve equal access and experience.

We see this as essential infrastructure for modern learning. When the setup works seamlessly, the focus remains on teaching and learning. That reliable, integrated environment supports today’s tools and lays the foundation for whatever comes next.

Guiding Change through Thoughtful Advice

In education, resisting change is easy when something is working, but it often hinders growth. We work with diverse learners and educators, each with different levels of readiness and comfort. One size doesn’t fit all, and it’s essential to design tools and systems that are flexible enough to serve various needs. The aim is to adopt these tools and empower educators and students to use them meaningfully and confidently.

When introducing new technologies or initiatives, take time to understand how they affect each individual and meet them where they are. Feeling supported and less overwhelmed makes people more likely to embrace the journey. Ultimately, our success lies in how well we help our students, nurture their growth and create spaces where everyone is equipped to learn, teach and thrive. Stay open to change and help everyone progress.

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Educational Technology