Stephen Butler

After I graduated (many years ago) with a degree in Electrical Engineering I realized that while I loved the technical aspects of that job I wanted to have a larger impact on, and connection with people. That decision led me to Educational Technology, where I have spent the last 20+ years supporting both PK-12 and higher education institutions. I have actively worked in all areas of educational technology from teaching and training to installing networks and servers.

But I am also a lifelong learner and during that time amassed over forty graduate level credit hours focusing on Education, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, and Technology. This background allows me to focus not only on the support and infrastructure issues within a school, but also the pedagogical uses of technology required for effective and efficient learning.

Now as a Middle School technology and maker-space teacher at Friends School, I have been able to combine my interests and love for technology, education, and making into wide ranging projects and experiences for the students; including robotics, programming, and design thinking. Yet, I believe in using technology where it is appropriate and not trying to force it into situations where it isn’t able to elevate what one can do without it, because in the end it is often about the connections we have with one another and its important that we are aware how technology can both help and hurt those connections.