MADISON – Daniel Whitt has received the prized Chiquita Marbury Technology Innovation Award from Alabama Department of Education.

Whitt works as Coordinator of Instructional Technology for Madison City Schools.

The Marbury spotlights teachers, administrators and support personnel for grades K-12 who are exemplary models as technology advocates. The award’s namesake, Chiquita Marbury, compiled invaluable years of service as a technology innovator in Alabama.

Judges used five levels to evaluate nominees: innovation and creativity; impact on teaching and learning; leadership; teamwork; and scholarship.

“Mr. Whitt and his technology instruction team have rapidly propelled Madison City to the forefront of school districts that empower students and teachers through innovative approaches that fuel creativity and use real-world applications,” MCS Public Relations Manager John Peck said.

At the Central Office, Whitt has established internships for students who produce videos, web design and other technology assistance. One intern developed an app for the school district, and a baseball organization since has hired that student to design another application.

Students even in elementary grades are learning about Digital Portfolios, or a collection of various media for files and graphics that a student creates with a computer to document his or her academic record. “The portfolios make classroom learning more accessible to parents, administrators and other district support staff because they provide a window into student learning,” Peck said.

In addition, dozens of teachers are working in “Forward Teams” to share ideas in project-based learning and technology integration. Currently, Whitt is finishing a documentary, “Digital Portfolios: The Whole Child, The Whole Story,” and its accompanying Google drive folder, which will be available free.

Previously, Whitt worked at James Clemens High School and Liberty Middle School with digital communications and as a media specialist.

On June 14, Whitt will accept his award at the opening session of the 2017 Alabama Educational Technology Conference at Hoover High School.