John is currently Innovation Center Teacher at the Pioneer Valley Regional School (PVRS). John has designed and implemented an innovative technology curriculum that provide deep, rich, engaging technology experiences integrated with standards. Key projects have included multimedia, robotics, video game programming, and animation. John’s most recent project has been the establishment of an Innovation Center at PVRS that focuses on design thinking.
In 2009, John wrote and received a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant to provide a hybrid model of on-line and face-to-face instruction for STEM education in elementary and middle schools using robotics. In his own teaching practice, John developed an innovative PK-6 elementary engineering curriculum, fully aligned to standards. The curriculum is available at http://www.kidsengineer.com/ and also in his book Elementary Engineering: Sustaining the Natural Engineering Instincts of Children.
John Heffernan was previously an Educational Technology Consultant for the Collaborative for Educational Services. John has worked on a number of distance learning projects. John also worked on training Western Massachusetts teachers to integrate technology into standards-based curriculum science and social studies lessons.
Prior to his work with the Hampshire Educational Collaborative, John taught third grade in Amherst for seven years. John was a pioneer in using technology in the Amherst Public Schools. John received a Superintendent’s award for Technology Integration and taught numerous workshops in the Amherst Public Schools.
Before becoming a teacher, John was a Principal Software Engineer and Project Leader for Digital Equipment Corporation. He worked on both network management and database software and also received 2 patents.
John earned BSEE and MSEE/CS degrees from Tufts in 1981 and 1983 and a Masters of Education degree from Lesley College in 1992. In 2008, John received the MassCUE (Massachusetts Computer Using Educators) Pathfinder Award for Technology Leadership. John received a 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. John is a current member of the LEGO Education Master Educator Advisory Group. John recently received his Ph.D. in Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he researched developmental characteristics of elementary students engaged in open ended engineering challenges. John is a part time lecturer at the Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO) TEEP (Technology Engineering Education Program) program.
At home, John enjoys coaching baseball and basketball for his 14-year son Aidan’s teams. He also enjoys running, playing bluegrass music, and reading literary mysteries.
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