Executive Director Notes


 

As we enter the holiday season and upcoming break, I encourage you to take time to enjoy the company of your family and friends. The endless hours you dedicate to our youth are a true blessing and create a lasting impact. Your impact makes a difference—every single day.
Please remember to take care of yourselves during the holidays. This season offers an important opportunity to rest, recharge, and rejuvenate both your mind and body.
Thank you for all you do.

Keep doing great things for kids! 
 

NIESC Staff Spotlight 


 

Meet Darlene Kennedy, NIESC’s Director of Technology Integration! Darlene helps our member districts make the most of their technology by aligning tools and resources with district-wide goals. She supports technology staff, educators, and administrators across more than 60 school districts in Northern and Northwest Indiana—whether that’s through K–12 edtech trends, vendor support, professional learning opportunities, or connecting teams with valuable state and partner resources.
 
Now in her sixth year with NIESC, Darlene is especially passionate about bringing Student Data Privacy to the forefront for school leaders. Her goal is to make this important topic approachable and actionable, helping schools build a foundation for safe and effective technology use. This year, she’s also helping districts explore AI policies and implementation plans that encourage digital literacy and responsible innovation.
 
Beyond her work with our member schools, Darlene is an active part of the Indiana Student Data Privacy Alliance and the Indiana EdTech Network, where she helps connect edtech professionals from across the state. She’s quick to share resources and loves helping others find the right solution—often saying with a smile, “I don’t know much, but I know who knows.”
 
When she’s not supporting schools, Darlene is usually off on an adventure! She loves traveling by car to explore new places, from white water rafting and skydiving to hiking with family. Her next big goal? An extended road trip through Wyoming, Montana, and Utah—with plans to build a sleeper setup in her truck. And when it’s time to relax, she’s happiest with her toes in the sand or listening to a good crime podcast.