ST. GEORGE — Near the end of last year, Tony Campbell, who serves as director of learning and media technologies for the Washington County School District, was announced as a winner of the Excellence in Equity Award.
The winners of this national award, sponsored by The American Consortium for Equity in Education, were officially announced Nov. 30, 2022. And Campbell was recognized and congratulated by the school board at the Dec. 13 board meeting.
Campbell was one of two who received awards in the category of champion of equity – technology leadership.
The award is in its inaugural year and is “a program which recognizes the companies, leaders, authors and educators whose tremendous efforts are helping schools achieve equity everywhere,” according to the website of The American Consortium for Equity in Education.
Eligibility for the award is based on anonymous nominations.
“I don’t even know who it was that made the nomination on my behalf,” Campbell said.
Since he works in several capacities within the state, Campbell said anyone he has come across within one of these capacities may have been the one who nominated him. This includes the state digital teaching and learning advisory committee, the legislative commission for safe technology, and the national organization All4Ed and their program Future Ready Schools for technology.
All4Ed “envisions a nation in which every student has access to an excellent education as a fundamental, human right,” according to their website.
Campbell was one of over 160 nominations and two winners for his category. He was recognized for his work to increase equity among the district’s students by consolidating the digital tools used across grade levels to provide more consistent learning experiences.
Campbell moved into the district in 2004 after finishing his education at Southern Utah University, starting out in a first-grade classroom.
Growing up in Carbon County, Campbell says he has gotten accustomed to the warm weather of Southern Utah.
In 2011, he transferred to the district office, working with Title I schools and programs. A couple of years later, he moved to a general technology position providing software, programs and training for teachers and classrooms. He then moved into a coordinator position and, about two years ago, was promoted to his current director position.
In order to create and provide technological advances and programs that elevate student learning outcomes he said they use a myriad of research and statistics to determine what will most benefit students and facilitate experiences that otherwise may be unattainable for some. One of his projects, for example, was to help provide a way for all students to tour the White House on a computer.
“We can’t necessarily go and take everyone to the White House; no affordable way to go and jump students on a plane and go,” Campbell said. “But if we can go and do a walk-through virtually, then they are still able to see it and explore it.”
They also have students safely gain access to programs, information and more outside of school hours. This helps them be able to review any lessons or subject material discussed in the classroom.
“It is important to the district that the students have the tools and resources they need to succeed so they can learn to their fullest potential,” Campbell said.
He said that he was — like most people — surprised when he was told he was receiving the award. Honored, he gave credit to all those who worked with him and helped with the accomplishments he has achieved.
“Few things are about a single individual,” Campbell said. “I have the opportunity and am fortunate to have the ability to build an amazing team of people who take the ideas we work together to develop for our students.”
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