We at Microsoft believe that technology alone cannot build 21st century skills in students. Technology is an accelerator, but alone it does not enable change. We believe in the power of the educator, and the impact educators can have when they are brought together and recognized for their achievements.

Microsoft is thrilled to announce its new Expert Educator as a component of the Microsoft Innovative Educator Program!

Microsoft Expert Educator is an exclusive one year program created to recognize pioneer educators globally who are using technology to transform education. Expert Educators will have access to technology, professional development, and will have an all-expense paid trip to the Partners in Learning Global Forum.

We are looking for self-driven educators who are passionate about their careers, inspiring students with outside-the-box thinking and a true collaborative spirit. Resourceful and entrepreneurial, they relish the role of change agent, and work to achieve excellence in education using advanced technologies and social media.

Download the Expert Educator brochure and the FAQ.

When educators become Microsoft Experts, they receive:

• Trip to join other innovative educators at the Partners in Learning Global Forum (check out last year's forum)
• Free technology for their schools
• Publicity and promotion via social media and other Microsoft channels
• Insider access to Microsoft strategy and technologies
• Professional and career development opportunities
• Opportunities to share their expertise with world-renowned educators and specialists to scale their innovations
• Consulting opportunities within the Partners in Learning program
• Invitation-only special events from Microsoft

Experts have opportunities to:

• Share their passion for Microsoft with peers and policymakers, and through social media, blogs and videos
• Provide input for professional development content for educators
• Help develop strategies to benefit other educators
• Represent Microsoft through product demonstrations, and by attending events
• Mentor other educators and help train them on education technologies, and in the use of Microsoft products and tools

You can email us at educator@microsoft.com with questions about the program. Applications for the Expert Educator program is coming soon. Please keep checking back and connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and our newsletter for updates.

Canadian Innovative Teacher Awards and the World Wide Global Forum Overview

Each year, Microsoft Canada holds a national contest as part of the Partners in Learning program that is designed to call out and spotlight teachers bringing innovation into their pedagogy that engages and enchants learners. Selected winners of the Canada Virtual Innovative Educator Forum move on to represent Canada for an all expenses paid World Wide Global Learning Forum (WWGLF) experience, and compete with their peers from around the globe to showcase the absolute best projects in the world. This forum hosts the top innovative educators from over 104 countries. The 2012 Global Forum was held in Prague, Czech Republic from November 28th to December 1st. [Please note: This award is for teachers. Divisional or district technology coordinators are not eligible.]

Registration is now open for the Semi-finals (April 13, 2013) and the Finals (April 27, 2013).

*This link will provide you with information on Lync.  We will also have a trial run for all interested participants on April 6, 2013 at 11 (EST -7).

To stay connected to other innovative educators in Canada and around the world, please 'Like' us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Scoring Rubrics

Download the Rubrics: [EN | FR]

We are using a judging rubric that was designed by our partners at ITL Research. You can download the rubrics here [French version]. ITL Research is a multiyear global research program designed to investigate the factors that promote the transformation of teaching practices and the impact those changes have on students’ learning outcomes across a broad range of country contexts.

For further information contact Marilyn Steier steier@live.ca

For some inspiration, watch these videos for highlights from the Forum held in Cape Town 2010 and Canada’s winner, Mr. Ian Fogarty from Riverview Heights HS in New Brunswick: