About Kim Alessi

Kim's been teaching and writing about technology, media, and K-12 education since 1991 and specializes in guiding kids and grown-ups through the worlds of educational technology. She's a long-time classroom teacher and instructional coach, an education writer with Common Sense Media, and a published curriculum writer for Apple Computer, Developments in Literacy, Smithsonian Global Sound, Museum of Pop Culture (formerly EMP Museum), and Seattle International Children's Festival, Kim's also a recognized leader in providing teacher training and professional development workshops in educational technology, curriculum integration, project-based learning, digital citizenship and media literacy, mobile learning, and media arts. Her edtech philosophy embraces the SAMR model of technology integration and supports paths of discovery for every kind of learner and teacher. She has a bachelor of arts degree in interdisciplinary studies (music, communications, economics) from the State University of New York at Potsdam, a master of music degree in music technology from New York University, and extensive post-graduate studies in ethnomusicology and music education from the University of Washington. She's a Common Sense Education Certified Educator in Digital Citizenship and a certified Google for Education Educator Level 1. In addition to life-long tinkering with anything technological, Kim's performed in numerous music ensembles including Japanese taiko, Filipino kulintang, Javanese gamelan, Nigerian jùjú, North Indian Hindustani sitar, electronica, a jazz trio, and numerous rock bands. Parenthood has brought Kim a deeper awareness of responsible technology use, as well as the effectiveness of integrated, project-based approaches to education, and she's honored to work with students, teachers, and parents alike. When unplugged, Kim's romping in the glorious Pacific Northwest wilderness, building all sorts of contraptions with her sons, helping out in their schools, overseeing home-spun science experiments and arts projects, and cooking tasty dishes with family and friends (Indian and Italian are her signature cuisines, with salmon panch phouran and eggplant parmesan topping the list of most-requested entrees).