Kelly Pilgrim Cassidy

183 Millside Court | Commerce | Georgia 30529

706.983.9576 | jklcassidy@gmail.com

Social Media: jklcassidy

Research Statement
As technology becomes more ubiquitous in society, education cannot ignore the impact it is having on
education. My research seeks to understand how Digital Native educators are using Digital Habitats in their
professional practice. By gaining a deeper understanding of how educators use elements, like Twitter and
Pinterest, and how they are utilizing tools, like hashtags and pins, we can begin to develop ways to incorporate
these skills into our teacher preparation programs to train administrators, technology leaders and coaches to help
all educators, Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants, to use these services in the most effective way possible.
Overall, my findings thus far demonstrate Digital Natives' inordinate usage of their Digital Habitats personally
and professionally. This multifaceted usage by Digital Natives may be abstruse to Digital Immigrants whose
erudition was garnered from more traditional sources. The gregarious nature of the Digital Native educators
supports their infusion of Digital Habitat elements into their personal and professional landscapes. While it is
possible that the relationship between Digital Natives and their Digital Habitats is orthogonal, it is unlikely.
More likely, you would have to scour to locate a Digital Native in the modern world who is not captivated by at
least a few Digital Habitat elements and are enthusiastically dragging their antecedents, the Digital Immigrants,
along with them in their journey. As a Digital Immigrant, it would be imperious to ignore the impact these
Digital Habitats are having on Digital Native educators and their professional practices. As I present my
research at conferences all over the southeast, I am inspired by the current landscape of education as we all
continue to learn, assist and lead in the instructional technology world.

Academic Degrees and Certifications

Doctorate of Education Kennesaw State University Instructional Technology

Research: summa cum laude, 4.0 GPA
Hashtags & Pins: Digital
Native Educators in Digital
Habitats

Specialist of Education Kennesaw State University Instructional Technology

Research: summa cum laude, 4.0 GPA
Perceptions of Smartphone
Usage in a Rural High
School in the Southeastern
United States.
Masters of Science Western Governors University Curriculum and Instruction
Research
Effects of PBIS on intrinsic
motivation of gifted
students.

Bachelors of Science University of Georgia Biochemistry

Honors Thesis: Molecular Biology
Proteoglycans and Psychology
Glycosaminoglycans and
Avian Tendon Rupture

Georgia Teaching Certificate #656563 Professional Level 7 Step 18– Expires June 30, 2024
Endorsement Fields: Instructional Technology K-12, ESOL K-12, Online Teaching K-12,
Biology 6-12, Life Sciences 6-12, Gifted and Talented K-12,
Computer Science K-12

Professional Experience
Higher Education

Instructional Technology | Educational Technology | Instructional Design | Research & Methodology

Assistant Professor | 2020- present
Kennesaw State University- Bagwell College of Education / Department of Instructional Technology
American College of Education- Department of Professional Educational Studies
Instructor for courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in instructional technology, emerging technology
and research and methodology. Experienced with virtual and personalized learning pathways using
Canvas, Gradpoint, Blackboard, & D2L Brightspace. Dissertation Committee Member

Science (6-12) Instructional Methods

Lecturer | August 2006- June 2012
University of Georgia | College of Education | Dr. Steve Oliver
Piedmont College | College of Education | Dr. Andrew Felt
Work with teacher candidates to help develop lab leadership skills to maintain safety and increase conceptual
understanding in students. Supervise practicum students for semester of on-site methods and provide
mentorship as they lead labs and instruction with students. Evaluate and provide feedback to help
students improve practice.

Collegiate Level Courses

2020- present ITEC 7430 Web 2.0 and Internet Tools for the Classroom - Kennesaw State University
2020-present RES 5323 Research Design and Application - American College of Education
2021-present TECH 6333 Online Teaching and Assessment- American College of Education
2021-present TECH 6343 Emerging Technologies in Education- American College of Education
2021-present Dissertation Committee Member- American College of Education
2010-2012 ESCI 4460/6460 Science Methods Mentor- University of Georgia
2010-2012 ESCI 5460/7460 Student Teacher Supervisor- University of Georgia
2006-2010 EDSE 3335 Science Methods 6-12- Piedmont College- Lecturer
2009-2010 EDSE 3335 Science Methods 6-12- Piedmont College- Science Ed Practicum Supervisor
K-12 Education

Science Instructor ( 2001- 2016) & Science Department Chair- (2017-present)

St. John’s High School, John’s Island, SC | 2001-2004
Madison County High School, Danielsville, Ga | 2004-2017
Commerce City Schools, Commerce, Ga | 2017- present
Teach science courses with various degrees of rigor. Experienced co-teacher with strength in modifications for
ESOL students and students on the Autism spectrum. Curriculum Developer and Instructional Designer
of AP Environmental Science, Forensic Science and Genetics courses. Experienced with personalized
learning pathways using Gradpoint, Blackboard, Course sites, D2L or Edgenuity. Data Team Facilitator
and Trainer, SACS/ Advanced ED Leader, Technology Infrastructure Audit Team, Environmental Club
sponsor, STEM club sponsor, PBIS Science Department leader, Academic Team Coach, Cheerleading
Coach, Student Council Sponsor, Literary Coach.

K- 12 Level Courses
2013-2021 Advanced Placement Environmental Science- 26.06200 (blended model)
2010-2021 Environmental Science- 26.06110 (Co-teach, ESOL) (blended model)
2018-2019 Forensic Science- 40.09300 (blended model)
2010-2020 E2020 / Edgenuity (Earth Science, Physical Science, Environmental Science & Biology) (online)
2007-2018 STEM Elementary Outreach Program Coordinator. Georgia STEM. Private 501c3 non-profit
2008-2011 Genetics-26.01500 (blended model)
2002- 2004 Chemistry 40.05100 (Honors & Co-teach)
2002- 2004 Human Anatomy & Physiology- 26.07300 (Honors)
2002-2021 Biology-26.01200 (Honors, Co-teach, ESOL) (F2F, blended model, online)
2002-2004 Advanced Placement Biology- 26.01400
2002-2006 Physical Science 40.01100 (co-teach, encore)
2020-2021 Canvas & Gradpoint Virtual Science Courses

Educational Leadership

Kennesaw State University’s Outstanding Scholar for 2019-2020

Director of Curriculum and Instruction - Georgia STEM
MTSS/ RTI/ 504 / PBIS - Commerce High School, Madison County High School
STEM - Commerce City Schools, Georgia STEM
Science Department Chair- Commerce High School
Donors Choose Ambassador- Commerce City Schools, Madison County School System
Board Member- Technology Specialist- Georgia Association of Teacher Educators
Board Member- Northeast Georgia Instructional Technology

Director of Curriculum & Instruction

Georgia STEM 501c3 Non-Profit | August 2007- December 2020
Design, deliver and publish STEM activities and labs for students K-12 based on Georgia standards. Summer
STEM program in cooperation with the State of Georgia’s Library System Summer Reading Program.
Serve as web-master, blog author and grant writer. Assist other Georgia STEM instructors in planning
outreach programs and events. Georgia STEM camp director and coordinator. STEM Ambassador
Trainer. Liaison between the GPL representatives and Georgia STEM. Manage all social media
presence. Deliver STEM professional development workshops at Georgia schools.
Instructional Support Leader of New Teacher Mentorship Program
Madison County High School | June 2014- May 2017
Responsible for smooth transition of teachers to the teaching profession to increase teacher retention and
reduce new teacher stress. Develop and deliver new teacher orientation workshops. Lead monthly
professional development on instructional techniques and strategies. Maintain Google Apps for
Educators support class for New Crew members. Contribute technology spotlights to the weekly
instructional newsletter. Liaison between administration and new teachers on discipline and policy
concerns.

Instructional Technology Advisory Board Member- Northeast Georgia RESA | August 2016- present
In conjunction with representatives from all North Georgia districts, develop a strategic plan to advance digital
learning and instructional technology at all schools in NEGA RESA. Collaborate on digital learning
development with an emphasis on student-centered instruction and project based learning. Develop
innovative professional development program, which is personalized and differentiated to meet the
needs of all NEGA educators.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Research

Oncology Research Specialist II

Medical University of South Carolina | June 2000- August 2004
Hollings Cancer Center with Principle Researcher Dr. Dennis Watson
Research focused on Sm proteins and their role in the oncogene activation in breast and prostate cancer using
the mouse as a biological model. Present research at MUSC conferences. Lead lunch and learn sessions
with graduate and medical students. Assist in grant writing and paper submissions. Maintain lab
notebooks and integrity of data during investigations. Ensure responsible radioactive usage and disposal.
Participate in community outreach at MUSC cancer center events.

Biochemistry Undergraduate Researcher

Honors Program at The University of Georgia | January 1997- May 2000
Honors Thesis Chair: Dr. Debra Mohen
Research focused on proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans and their role in Avian Tendon rupture in
conjunction with the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center and the UGA Vet School Pathology
department. Tissue collection and testing as well as biochemical analysis of the chicken model.

Membership in Professional Organizations

● Georgia Association of Teacher Educators (GATE.org)
● North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE.org)
● Golden Key International Honour Society (goldenkey.org)
● International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE.org)
● Georgia Science Teachers Association (GSTA, georgiascienceteacher.org)
● National Science Teachers Association (NSTA.org)
● World Association for Online Education (WAOE.org)
● The American Communication Association (ACA, americancomm.org)
● International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (iteaconnect.org)
● American Photography Association (americanphotographyassociation.org)
Skills and Expertise
● Teaching (face-to-face, blended model and online, K-12 and Higher Education.)
● Curriculum development and instructional design (STEM, UBD, COMP, Differentiation in Practice, SIP,
Learning Focused, Marzano)
● Experience with Online and hybrid courses (NovaNet, GradPoint, Edgenuity, Canvas, Google
Classroom, Blackboard, Coursesites, D2L, Brightspace, Schoology, My Math Lab)
● Training faculty to use blended teaching model (Moodle, D2L, Canvas, Blackboard, Classroom,
Edmodo, Coursesites, Edgenuity)
● Electronic data collection and analysis (Excel, Google Sheets, All in learning, SLDS, Dedoose)
● MTSS / RTI, 504, IEP, PBIS
● Website design and development (Adobe Spark, Wordpress, Dreamweaver, Weebly, Wix, Google Sites,
Foxbright)
● Multimedia design and development (Doodly, GoAnimate, Flash, MovieMaker, iMovie, TinyTake,
iMovie, Adobe Captivate)
● Technology integration (Media Cast, Google Suite, Screencasting, FlipGrid, Twitter for Education,
NewsELA, USA Test Prep, EdPuzzle, BookWidgets, Pinterest Education)
● Technology training and support (Infinite Campus, SLDS, DocEFill, AESOP, Travel Tracker, Integrade,
STEM )
● Assessment technology (All in learning, Zipgrade, Quizizz, Kahoot, Quizmaker, Moodle, SuperQuiz,
Spiral, Class Marker, Google Forms, Socratic, GimKit, USA Test Prep, EdPuzzle, Google Forms)

Honors, Awards, & Grants

Felt, G. A., Cassidy, K.P., Thornton, B. Jones-Walker, R.J., Munro, L.A., May, K. & Butts, D.P. (2007-2012).
Title IID STEM Grant: Enhancing Education through Technology. US Department of Education.
($600,000)
Cassidy, K. P. (2017) Robots without Remotes. Tom’s of Maine. ($992)
Cassidy, K. P. (2018) Entomology Engineers. Ripple ($991)
Cassidy, K. P. (2019) Pandemics, Outbreaks and Viruses- Oh my! Overdeck Foundation ($738)
Cassidy, K. P. (2019) Oh Snap! High School Mentors. Samsung- Solve for Tomorrow ($587)
Cassidy, K. P. (2015) Magnets are Magical. UPS Foundation. ($545)
Cassidy, K. P. (2015) Wind Power is Wonderful. UPS Foundation. ($520)
Cassidy, K. P. (2015) K’Necting High School & Elementary Students. UPS Foundation. ($500)
Cassidy, K. P. (2019) Microscope Mania. Thrive Global ($462)
Cassidy, K. P. (2014) STEM Elementary Outreach. UPS Foundation. ($450)
Cassidy, K. P. (2019) Creativity in Comfort. Donors Choose ($422)
Cassidy, K. P. (2015) Pond-ering what’s in the school pond. Coca-Cola Company. ($260)
Cassidy, K. P. (2015) Goodbye Graph Paper. Coca-Cola Company. ($260)
Cassidy, K. P. (2016) Empowering students through Eco-Art. Best School Day. ($375)
Cassidy, K. P. (2016) Saying Hi to Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Exxon Mobile. ($220)
Cassidy, K. P. (2016) Do Drones really work? Think it up Foundation. ($375)
Cassidy, K. P. (1997, 1998, 1999) National Dean’s List
Cassidy, K. P. (1998, 1999, 2000) Outstanding Academic Excellence: Sigma Kappa
Cassidy, K. P. (2012, 2014) MCHS Most Influential Teacher Award. Selected by AP Student Scholars.
Published Articles and Educational Research
Lead Author:
Cassidy, K. P. (2019). Hashtags and Pins: Digital Native Educators in Digital Habitats. Kennesaw State
University. Bagwell College of Education. EdD Instructional Technology Dissertation.

Cassidy, K. P. (2015). Perceptions of Smartphone Usage in a Rural High School in the Southeastern United
States. Kennesaw State University. Bagwell College of Education. EdS Instructional Technology
Research ERDS 8900.
http://jklcassidy.weebly.com/uploads/3/2/1/3/32134941/cassidy.k.erds8900.final.docx

Cassidy, K. P. (2017). STEM Critical Thinking: Can Caffeine kill you? Georgia STEM.. Published November
16, 2017. Retrieved from: http://www.georgiastem.com/caffeine-killer/

Cassidy, K. P. (2017). Formative assessment: Tools for your teacher toolbox. Georgia STEM. Published
September 17, 2017. Retrieved from: http://www.georgiastem.com/formative_assessment/

Cassidy, K. P. (2016). Report on Poverty, Health and Education. Guess where Georgia ranks? Georgia
STEM. Published March 4, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.georgiastem.com/georgia_poverty_report/

Cassidy, K. P. (2016). Changes are coming in Georgia Education but which education "experts" will win
out? Georgia STEM. Published Feb. 20, 2016. Retrieved from
http://www.georgiastem.com/testinggakids/

Cassidy, K. P. (2016). Climate Change. The NEW evolution in science teaching. Georgia STEM. Published
Feb. 12, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.georgiastem.com/climatechangeeducation/

Cassidy, K. P. (2016). STEM majors get bump in GPA for HOPE. Georgia STEM. Published Feb 4, 2016.
Retrieved from http://www.georgiastem.com/gastembill/

Cassidy, K. P. (2015). Compliment a Day keeps the Critics at Bay?  Georgia STEM. Published Nov. 20, 2015.
Retrieved from http://www.georgiastem.com/compliment/

Cassidy, K. P. (2015). GaETC 2015 Top 10 Tools for Teachers.  Georgia STEM. Published November 11,
2015. Retrieved from http://www.georgiastem.com/gaetc2015top

Hobbies & Interests

Photographer | June 1998- present

Professional photographer specializing in portraiture, microscopy/ macro-photography. Publication of
photographic works in Madison County Journal, Athens Banner Herald, Budget Travel and Madison
County Hilltopper. Numerous Web publications and contributions to blog and media postings for
Georgia STEM, MCHS and the GPL system.

Educational Presenter | 2011-present

Honored to be invited to present over 100 times at local, state and regional workshops.
Experience with traditional 45, 60 and 90 min sessions as well as full-day and multi-day workshops tailored to
the school system or organization’s needs.
Recent Presentations
Cassidy, K. P. (2019, Nov). Transformative Tweeting and Powerful Pinning. Georgia Educational Technology
Conference (GaETC). Atlanta, Georgia.

Cassidy, K. P. (2019, Oct). AP Environmental Science Instructor. College Board / GaDOE Advanced
Placement Regional Workshop.

Cassidy, K. P. (2018, Nov). Hashtags and Pins: Using social media to level up your learning. Georgia
Educational Technology Conference (GaETC). Atlanta, Georgia.

Cassidy, K. P. (2018, May). Google Classroom: Getting Started. Professional Development Workshop.
Commerce City Schools. Commerce, Georgia

Cassidy, K. P. (2018, May) Crowd Funding in Education. Professional Development Workshop. Commerce
City Schools. Commerce, Georgia

Cassidy, K. P. (2018, May). Cracking the Conference Proposal. Professional Development Workshop.
Commerce City Schools. Commerce, Georgia

Cassidy, K. P. (2017, November). Twitter for Education #TwitterED. Georgia Educational Technology
Conference (GaETC). Atlanta, Georgia.

Cassidy, K. P. (2017, November). Digital Breakout EDU. Georgia Educational Technology Conference
(GaETC). Atlanta, Georgia.

Cassidy, K. P. (2017, November). GIS for STEM Engagement. Georgia Educational Technology Conference
(GaETC). Atlanta, Georgia.

Cassidy, K. P. (2017, February). Little STEM scientists. Georgia Science Teacher Association (GSTA)
Conference, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Cassidy, K. P. (2017, February). The best of GaETC 2016. Georgia Science Teacher Association (GSTA)
Conference, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Cassidy, K. P. (2017, February). GIS for Science Engagement Georgia Science Teacher Association (GSTA)
Conference, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Cassidy, K. P. (2016, November). Simple Screencasting. Georgia Association for Teacher Educators (GATE)
conference. Hiawassee, Georgia.

Cassidy, K. P. (2016, March). SLDS- Going beyond the Basics. Session presented for Madison County Public
School Teachers, Madison County High School, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2016, January) Simple Screencasting. Session presented for Madison County Public School
Teachers, Madison County High School, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2015, November). GaETC 2015 Top 10 Tools for Teachers. Session presented for Madison
County Public School Teachers, Madison County High School, Danielsville, Ga.
Cassidy, K. P. (2015, October) Technology Tools in Two Minutes. Session presented for Madison County
Public School Teachers, Madison County High School, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. & Conway, M. (2015, September) There’s an App for that! Session presented for Madison
County Public School Teachers, Madison County High School, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2015, August) The Infinite possibilities of Infinite Campus. Session presented for Madison
County Public School Teachers, Madison County High School, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2015, August) SLDS- Getting Started Session presented for Madison County Public School
Teachers, Madison County High School, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2015, July). Magnets are Magical. STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library System,
Madison County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. ( 2015, July). Producing Polymers. STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library System,
Madison County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, Kelly (2013, May) STEM for Elementary Students. STEM workshop for Jackson County Elementary
Teachers, Maysville Elementary School, Maysville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2013, June) How are fossils formed? STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library System,
Madison County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2013, June) What can we learn from Bones? STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library
System, Madison County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2013, June) Extracting DNA from the past. STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library
System, Madison County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2013, July) Making a Mummy. STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library System, Madison
County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2013, July) Digging into the past. How archeologist identify and extract fossils. STEM
workshop for Georgia Public Library System, Madison County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2013, July) Cookie Coal Mining. STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library System, Madison
County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2012, July) Entomology Engineers. STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library System,
Madison County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2012, July) Open Mic Night. STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library System, Madison
County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2012, July) Wild Weather. STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library System, Madison
County Library, Danielsville, Ga.

Cassidy, K. P. (2012, June) Bouncing Bubbles. STEM workshop for Georgia Public Library System, Madison
County Library, Danielsville, Ga.
International Work
Board of Directors for Hearts 4 Honduras.
Hearts 4 Honduras is a non-profit organization committed to providing clean water and education to
impoverished regions of Honduras. The charity is supported by grants and donations from the community as
well as several annual fundraisers.

Chinese Economic Development and Education Bureau/ Madison County Board of Education
partnership.
A partnership agreement has been initiated between EDEB in Binzhou, China and the MC BOE to bring
international summer camps to both schools in a simultaneous exchange program.  Several delegates from
China have visited MCHS and a delegation from Madison County will be traveling to China. The goal is to
exchange teachers and students for annual experiences abroad.

Professional Service
State Level Service:
GaDOE AP Workshop Leader
Georgia Association of Teacher Educators- Elected Board Member (2017-present)
Georgia Emergency Management Association- Stop the Bleed Certification (2017-present)
EdCampGa- Board Member (2017-present)
Performance Standards Training Committee. Madison County (2004-2006)
Georgia AP collaborative participant (2013-2016)
Georgia New Science Standards: 3-D Science. Madison County. (2016-2017)

Regional Level Service:

College Board AP Workshop Leader (2019-2020)
NEGA RESA Instructional Technology Advisory Board (2016-present)
NEGA RESA STEM PLC participant (2014-present)
NEGA RESA 3D Science (2015- present)
NEGA RESA AP Collaborative ( 2014-present)
VP Communications Sigma Kappa (2019- present)

County Level Service:

CCS STEM Coordinator (2017- present) MCHS SACS Resources Committee (2015-2017)
CCS RTI/ 504 Coordinator (2017- present) MCHS Data Team Facilitator: Environmental
CCS Donors Choose Ambassador (2018-present) Science (2010-2017)
MCHS New Crew Leader (2013-2017) MCHS Student Council Advisor (2006-2012)
MCHS AP Collaborative (2012- 2017) MCHS Literary Coach (2008-2010)
MCHS Environmental Club Sponsor (2015-2017) MCHS Academic Team Coach (2005-2008)
MCHS PBIS Science Representative (2014-2017) MCHS Photography Club Sponsor (2009-2014)

Service to the Community

Commerce City Schools Booster Club- Special Events Chair (2020-present)
Danielsville Elementary PTO (2013-2017)
Commerce Middle School PTO (2017-2018)
Commerce Primary School PTO (2017-2018)
Commerce First United Methodist Church Children’s Council (2008- present)
Sigma Kappa Corporation Board, UGA (2010-present)