_________________________________________________________________

Jean McGregor Cate, Ph.D., has been an educator for over 30 years, serving as a public school science teacher, principal, technology coordinator and curriculum director. Currently, she serves as an associate director of the K20 Center for Educational and Community Renewal and co-directs the center’s OK-ACTS (Oklahoma’s -  Achievement through Collaboration and Technology Support).

Through her work with OK-ACTS Leadership Development, Dr. Cate has grown the K20 Center’s network of schools to include locations in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties and working relationships with 1,200 state superintendents and principals.

She holds a bachelor of science degree in zoology, master’s of education degree in Science Education, and a doctoral degree in Educational Administration and Curriculum Supervision, all from the University of Oklahoma.

As a biology teacher, she initiated and co-directed a biology curriculum development project and other grant projects. After serving as a principal, Dr. Cate served as director of curriculum for Norman schools, where she was one of the lead developers and trainers for teacher leadership cadres in learning, assessment, and applications of learning. She has authored journal articles and book chapters.

Dr. Cate’s research interests include developing leadership capacity and sustaining professional learning communities designed to improve teaching, learning and leading in PK-graduate education, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.Dr. Cate is a member of the American Educational Research Association; Phi Delta Kappa (OU chapter); University Council for Educational Administration; Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and the National Science Educators Leadership Association.

Dr. Cate also has been active on the OU campus as a mentor for five faculty members through the Graduate College Excellence in Proposals programs and ranked 11th in 2008 for external funding among OU’s Principal Investigators.

She serves on the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust Grants Committee, and is a past member of the Norman Prevention Coalition Board; Citizens of Central Oklahoma 2020; Oklahoma Drug Policy Board Education Committee (where she served as chairwoman); Oklahoma Academy of State Goals Curriculum Committee (past co-chair); and the Oklahoma State Department of Education Curriculum Committee.

“This is an exciting time for educators. “We now have a plethora of free and affordable digital tools which enable students to unlock and share their intellectual and creative potential.”

Scott believes that teachers now, more than ever have an incredible role to play in helping our students prepare for a future which is deeply connected with the real and the virtual.