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About Dr. Tyson and His Work
Called the “Pied Piper of Educational Technology” by The School Library Journal, Tim has worked in the field of education for nearly 30 years as a teacher (on the middle school, high school, and college levels) and an administrator. He served the students in the Cobb County School District for about 20 years, where, before his retirement, he was the principal of Mabry Middle School. He was named one of Georgia’s High Performance Principals by Governor Sonny Purdue.
Tim has a passion for meaningful, authentic student engagement, and technology is seen as a centerpiece for irresistible academic achievement through creative, global, project-based learning activities. He has now turned his attention to supporting the profession on a national and international level by sharing his passion and practical expertise for integrating technology into the entire school plan—a proven vision that works.
Dr. Tyson served as the principal of Mabry Middle School in Cobb County School District for six years, and one of the best sources of information about that work experience is MabryOnline.org, the school web presence from August, 2005, until June, 2007. Tim developed the site, which served up over 1.5 million files each month (a total of nearly 375 gigabytes of data in the first two years), and averaged almost 6,000 requests per day!
The site, now archived as an example of best practices, was self-sustaining and kept active by every staff member. MabryOnline.org is really a collection of about 100 blogs that include podcasts, video, pdfs of class work on the interactive whiteboards, homework assignments, review activities, learning extension activities, etc.
In 2001 Tim created the Annual Mabry Film Festival, which is nothing short of the Oscars for education—red carpet, lights in the sky, pre-parties, tuxes and gowns, but above all: students wildly excited about the world premier of their school work. The festival has attained international recognition, even from people in the industry. The George Lucas Foundation’s Magazine, Edutopia, said that Mabry’s Film Festival is “like the Oscars but not lame.” All of the movies from the 2006 and 2007 film festivals are online and on the iTunes store. You will be amazed that 11, 12 and 13 year old children produced this exemplary, deeply-moving work. But don't just read about it. Experience it!
The program director of Georgia Public Broadcasting, Patrice Weaver, said, “This is as good as anything I've ever seen.” In fact, she said that the movie on human embryonic stem cell research was better than most of the things she has aired on TV!
In April, 2006, Leslie Connery, Deputy CEO and Conference Chair for ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) referred to Dr. Tyson’s work at Mabry as "a national treasure." He was invited to be the closing keynote speaker for NECC in June of 2007.
As a result of Mabry’s enormous web presence, Mabry has welcomed hundreds of visitors from around the USA. In fact, having seen the students' work online, visitors have even come from around the world to visit the school to see how teachers and students leverage technology to achieve his vision for students and teachers: learn, create, connect, and contribute.
Under Tim's leadership Mabry was awarded the prestigious School’s of Distinction Award for Technology Innovation from Intel Corporation and Scholastic.
Georgia Public Broadcasting has produced a special TV program aired around the state that features Mabry’s amazing technology innovations.
Invited to Washington, DC, by the US Department of Education’s Office of Instructional Technology, Tim has participated in a think tank to develop a strategic plan and resources for principals to advance America’s public school’s implementation of creative, engaging, technology-based instructional practice in the nation’s classrooms.
Dr. Tyson routinely teaches students, parents, teachers, curriculum specialists, and administrators empowering ways to use technology with an emphasis on making the classroom transparent and making our world a better place. He can often be heard saying “If using these tools isn’t fun and empowering, then I have accomplished my personal goal for you!” He has been quoted in USAToday and quoted or featured in a variety of professional magazines and journals.
If you are interested in ways Tim can assist your school or school district in empowering your students, parents, teachers, and administrative staff through technology, be sure to click on the Services link here or at the top of this page.
• "Dr. Tyson, Today you changed my life! I will never teach the same way again."
—Teacher, FL
• "We're teachers. We know all about empowering others. But what you have done for us these past two days goes way beyond that. They need to invent a new word for what you do. It's just astounding! Thank You!"
—Teacher, GA
• "I so appreciated the type of administrative model Dr. Tyson presents!"
—Superintendent, IL
• "This was unbelievably awesome. Thanks so much for your incredible energy and vision."
—Principal, CA
• "Thank you! Thank you! Your passion is inspirational!"
—Teacher, MI
• "I want to replicate this model into a sustainable school structure."
—Information and Communication Technology, UK
• "Dr. Tyson demonstrates the power of passion."
—Tech Support, MI
• "I want you to come work for me today!
—Superintendent, GA