Mission
The mission of the Technology Integration and Innovation department is to empower educators to develop future-ready learners through technology integration, technology usage, and the use of relevant resources.
We support our teachers in designing technology-rich learning experiences by providing them with resources, training, and collaboration opportunities. Together, we prepare our students for the digital world.
Maria has been serving in public education since 2002 and joined Arlington ISD’s Technology Integration and Innovation (TI²) team in 2023. She received a BA in Spanish for Global Competence with a Minor in Localization & Translation from UTA in 2020. She enjoys learning new ways to create content using different software such as Google, Adobe, Canva, and the latest Gemini Notebook. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Department Contact:
Steve Simpson
Director of Technology Integration & Innovation
(682) 867-7728
Email Steve Simpson
Steve arrived in TI² from the Social Studies Department in May 2014. As Director, his work involves guiding varied efforts to ensure the learner experience in Arlington ISD includes meaningful opportunities for technology integration, technology usage, and the use of relevant resources. Prior to working in the Social Studies Department as an instructional specialist, Steve taught 7th and 8th grade history at Ferguson Junior High School. He holds B.A.s in History and Political Science, a M.Ed. (Curriculum & Instruction) from UTA, and his principal certification. More significantly, he is married to a wonderful educator and has two amazing, college-aged children.
After teaching science at Nichols Junior High, Jim joined TI² (then named ITD) in October of 2000. He is a published author and holds degrees in Biology (B.S.) and Computer Education and Cognitive Systems with an emphasis on Instructional Design (M.S.). Jim enjoys cycling, hiking, movies, strategy board games, home improvement projects, reading, writing novels and spending time with his two adult children who are both products of AISD: Jaylee (an AISD teacher) and Jayden (an Electronics Technician in the US Navy).
Supported Schools:
- Arlington College and Career HS
- Arlington HS
- Boles JH
- Gunn JH
- Martin HS
- Rodriguez JH
- Sam Houston HS
- Workman JH
- Young JH
Department Contact:
Deann Hansen
Technology Integration Specialist
(682) 867-7549
Email Deann Hansen
Deann joined TI² (then named ITD) in July of 2004 after teaching 4th grade for 7 years at Swift Elementary. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Texas A&M-Kingsville and her M.ED in Educational Technology Leadership from Lamar University. Deann enjoys spending time with friends and family including her husband, Clint and her two sons, Camden and Cullen. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music (especially George Strait), traveling, creating fun projects with her Cricut, and going to see the latest blockbusters.
Supported Schools:
- Berry ES
- Crouch ES
- Ditto ES
- Duff ES
- Dunn ES
- Little ES
- Miller ES
- Moore ES
- Patrick ES
- Swift ES
- Thornton ES
- Wood ES
Department Contact:
Susan Anderson
Technology Integration Specialist
(682) 867-7551
Email Susan Anderson
Susan joined TI² (then named ITD) in April of 2001 after teaching at Nichols Junior High for several years. She has taught everything from Child Development to JH Math to Driver’s Ed. As a Technology Integration Specialist, she enjoys working with teachers to give students innovative experiences using technology. Susan earned her BS in Education from Georgia Southern University, and her MS in Applied Technology, Training and Development from the University of North Texas. She and her husband David have two adult daughters.
Supported Schools:
- Ag Center
- Arlington Collegiate HS
- Bailey JH
- Barnett JH
- Bowie HS
- CTC
- CVPA
- Lamar HS
- Natatorium/Arena
- Nichols JH
- Ousley JH
- Seguin HS
- Shackelford JH
- Turning Point SS
Crystal joined TI² in August of 2018 after teaching 7th-grade math and science at Young Junior High for 8 years. She received her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from UT Arlington and her M.Ed in Educational Technology from UT Brownsville. As a Technology Integration Specialist, Crystal finds it encouraging when students are afforded opportunities to take ownership of their learning. Crystal and her husband, Leander, welcomed their first child, Titus Kingston Lee, in December 2021. Along with caring for her son, Crystal enjoys watching action-packed superhero movies, traveling, cooking new recipes, and playing cards and board games with family and friends.
Supported Schools:
- Adams ES
- Amos ES
- Butler ES
- Ellis ES
- Key ES
- Larson ES
- Peach ES
- Pope ES
- Sherrod ES
- South Davis ES
- Webb ES
- Wimbish WLA
Department Contact:
Stephen Hayes
Technology Integration Specialist
(682) 867-7546
Email Stephen Hayes
Stephen joined TI² in July of 2020. As a Technology Integration Specialist, he most enjoys working with campuses to use and integrate technology in meaningful ways. Before joining TI², Stephen taught multiple grade levels and subjects at Bryant Elementary. He received his B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Texas at Arlington and his M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from Texas Tech University. Stephen enjoys spending time with his two kids, Grayson and Colbie. In his spare time, he enjoys collecting indoor plants, hiking, music, and sports.
Supported Schools:
- Ashworth ES
- Bebensee ES
- Bryant ES
- Corey Academy
- Farrell ES
- Fitzgerald ES
- Jones Academy
- Pearcy Academy
- Short ES
- Starrett ES
- West ES
- Williams ES
Department Contact:
Jessica Mays
Coordinator of Technology Integration & Innovation
(682) 867-7545
Email Jessica Mays
Jessica has been serving in public education since 2001 and joined Arlington ISD’s Technology Integration and Innovation (TI²) team in 2019. After spending 14 years teaching high school English, Jessica found her way into technology integration, where she gets to combine two things she loves most: learning and helping others.
Outside of work, Jessica loves spending time with her fiancé, Mike, and their family. She is a proud mom to Trey, Marshall, and Kathryn and is grateful for the joy her bonus kids, Maci and Owen, and daughter-in-law, Rosie, bring to their family.
Jessica feels incredibly fortunate to love what she does and to work alongside her TI² colleagues who care deeply about students, educators, and the future of education.
Supported Schools:
- Anderson ES
- Beckham ES
- Hill ES
- Rankin ES
- Speer ES
- Newcomer HS
- Venture HS
Department Contact:
Levianne Mirabelli
Technology Integration Specialist
(682) 867-7556
Email Levianne Mirabelli
Levianne joined TI² in 2017 after 26 years of teaching Elementary Music at Fitzgerald Elementary. Her educational background is in music education with a certificate in All Level Music PK-12 from Texas Christian University. Additionally, she holds an Elementary Self-Contained certification for grades 1-8. Levianne is married to Russell, another musician and TCU Horned Frog, and they have two sons that are college age; Anthony and Andrew. My favorite things include Disney, Broadway, Cooking, Crafting, and Coffee!
Supported Schools:
- Atherton ES
- Blanton ES
- Burgin ES
- Crow Academy
- Foster ES
- Goodman ES
- Hale ES
- Johns ES
- Kooken EC
- McNutt ES
- Morton ES
- Remynse ES
