Dr. Matthew Rhoads is a Technology and Instructional Leader, Trainer, and Integrationist for a Consortium of Adult Schools in San Diego County, a university lecturer on edtech tool instructional integration and teacher candidate supervisor, dissertation chair, author, podcast host of Navigating Education – The Podcast, educational consultant, and researcher. He received his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Concordia University, Irvine, and his Masters in Teaching and three teaching credentials (Mild to Moderate Education Specialist and English and Social Sciences Single Subject Credentials) from Point Loma Nazarene University. He also holds an Administrative Services credential.

In his current role as an EdTech Trainer and Instructional Leader for a consortium of Adult Education Schools, he focuses on coaching teachers on integrating instructional strategies with EdTech tools within online, blended, and fully in-person settings to amplify student learning. He develops and implements various forms of professional learning ranging from live synchronous sessions, online courses, asynchronous resources, blog and newsletter, and a teacher podcast to build the capacity and skills of teachers and administrators. His other responsibilities include working on the backend of Canvas, supporting teachers with technology, coaching, and integrating technology to amplify consortium-wide marketing, leadership, and decision-making.

Dr. Rhoads is also a coach, supervisor, and lecturer at San Diego State University in the Dual Language and English Language Learners department. He helps coach, support, and supervise multiple and single-subject pre-service teachers as they undergo their student teaching clinical practice. Additionally, from time to time, Dr. Rhoads lectures on integrating EdTech into instruction to students within the program during their seminar coursework.

Dr. Rhoads has worked as a consultant for schools, school districts, and EdTech companies in various capacities. From developing and implementing professional development on integrating EdTech tools with instructional strategies to developing and supporting on-boarding processes of EdTech tools, Dr. Rhoads works with public and private partners on amplifying the learning of students.

Before his current roles, Dr. Rhoads taught at the high school level in Mild to Moderate Special Education in the subjects English Language Arts, Social Sciences, and Math in inclusive co-taught classrooms and self-contained Special Education classrooms. In this role as a teacher and case manager, he utilized educational technology and the use of data to drive instruction using the universal design for learning in his classroom as well as to amplify his case managing and IEP writing. He has used a variety of edtech tools for student engagement, collaboration, and assessment along with several learning management systems to deliver content in online and blended learning settings. Dr. Rhoads has also had experience working at a start-up company that built a prototype student information system that focused on generating student data reports for Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s) and Response to Intervention/Multiple Tier System of Supports (RTI/MTSS).

Dr. Rhoads research expertise relates to the efficacy of data practices among educational leaders as well as how educational leaders employ data practices and harness their leadership ability in establishing and participating in data-driven cultures in K-12 schools and districts. In addition, Dr. Rhoads has researched traditional and non-traditional professional development and its effectiveness in K-12 settings.

Dr. Rhoads has been involved as an author on many projects. His most recent publications include being the lead co-author and editor of the “Amplify Learning: A Global Collaborative” series with EduMatch publishing, which currently has two books published so far – “Amplifying Instructional Design” and “Amplifying Authentic Learning in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics”, lead co-author of “Instruction Without Boundaries: Enhance Your Teaching Strategies with Technology Tools in Any Setting” with EduMatch Publishing, lead co-author of “Crush it from the Start: 50 Teacher Tips for New Teachers” published by School Rubric, and contributing author to the EdTech Book. In addition, he is the author of “Navigating the Toggled Term: A Guide for K-12 Classroom and School Leaders” with Peter Lang International Publishing, “Navigating the Toggled Term: Preparing Secondary Educators for the Fall 2020 and Beyond,” and is a co-author of “Igniting your Teaching Using Educational Technology,” which is a book for beginning teachers on how to use educational technology.

Currently, he is working on several projects. Two of his most recent projects include writing two books as a co-author on co-teaching and instructional coaching with a focus on cognitive science principles. Additionally, one project in development relates to incorporating data practices into classrooms, schools, and school districts for teachers to build data literacy as well as drive their instructional decision-making.

Dr. Rhoads has experience leading professional development on edtech tools and concurrent research-based instructional strategies at the consortium/district and school site level, with several districts and schools in California and Arizona as well as to university primary and secondary teacher candidates, and university faculty. He also coaches teachers on a daily basis on how to amplify their instruction and tech integration to support student learning.

Expertise

Edtech Tools Integration with research-based Instructional Strategies, Education Data Techniques/Practices and Applications, Teacher and Educational Leader Data-Driven Decision Making, Professional Development Best Practices, School Improvement & Systems Thinking, and Special Education.

Hobbies/Personal Life

In his free time, Dr. Rhoads loves playing basketball, working out, going out to new restaurants, and traveling while spending time with his wife and puppies.

Awards

2020 San Diego CUE Technology Innovator of the Year

Professional Resume and VITA