Darren Wilson
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214.226.1672
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Lubbock-Cooper ISDTeacher, July 2024-present
During the 2024-2025 school year, I taught K-5 technology classes at Lubbock-Cooper North Elementary. I saw over 750 students a week, teaching them to use creativity and productivity tools on their school-issued iPads. This was may first year back to teaching after retiring in December 2022. I was honored as Teacher of the Year in May 2025. I am now teaching a 2nd-5th grade behavior-intensive special education class and serve as a member of the LCP Vanguards, a district-wide professional learning network. Wylie ISD (Abilene)Aug 2020 - June 2021
During my time at Wylie High School, I led courses in Principles of Engineering, Robotics 1 and 2, and Scientific Research & Design. In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I developed a fully online curriculum that empowered my engineering students to access and engage with all course materials and projects from home, as well as progressing through the content at their own pace while in the classroom. As part of my Scientific Research & Design course, eight of my students earned their commercial drone pilot certifications. Guthrie CSDJuly 2009 - May 2016
In my role as Technology Director and Teacher for the Guthrie Common School District, I administered the district network and infrastructure while managing a 1-to-1 K-12 iPad and laptop program. In January 2012, I was named Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year by Texas Computer Educators Association. My middle school and high school robotics teams participated at state-level competitions seven years in a row. In addition to teaching, I also managed curriculum development and technical support for the Guthrie Virtual School. |
Abilene ISDMakerspace Manager, July 2021-Dec 2022
As the Makerspace Manager at The LIFT 9-12 CTE Center, I facilitated real-world projects that challenged students to utilize critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication. I worked directly with students, using a variety of high-tech and low-tech fabrication tools, teaching and modeling the enginerring design process. Beyond student support, I coached teachers in implementing Project-Based Learning (PBL) activities and provided professional development for other makerspace staff across Abilene ISD campuses. Abilene Christian UniversityJune 2016 - July 2020
As the Director of the ACU Maker Lab at Abilene Christian University, I managed daily operations of the Maker Lab, a 7,000 sq. ft. design and fabrication space. My role involved providing design assistance and technical support to students, faculty, and staff while planning and leading weekly software and hardware training. The Maker Lab provided academic support to thousands of students and staff every month. Additionally, I served as a consultant for area K-12 schools implementing their own maker spaces and labs. Irving ISDJuly 2002 - June 2009
In my dual role as an Instructional Technology Specialist and Teacher with the Irving Independent School District, I provided professional development and classroom instruction at Irving High School, WT Hanes Elementary, and The Academy of Irving ISD and . My teaching experience included courses in Web Mastering, Digital Graphics, and Animation. My leadership responsibilities as a 1-to-1 Technology Specialist focused on managing and supporting district-wide device initiatives at all grade levels, K-12. |
Additional Experience
July 2000 - June 2002 Ralls Independent School District | HS Band Director
July 1998 - June 2000 Pilot Point Independent School District | HS Band Director
July 1994 - June 1998 Crosbyton Consolidated School District | HS Band Director
July 1993 - June 1994 Jim Ned Consolidated School District | HS Band Director
July 1991 - June 1993 Dublin Independent School District | HS Band Director
July 1998 - June 2000 Pilot Point Independent School District | HS Band Director
July 1994 - June 1998 Crosbyton Consolidated School District | HS Band Director
July 1993 - June 1994 Jim Ned Consolidated School District | HS Band Director
July 1991 - June 1993 Dublin Independent School District | HS Band Director
Special Achievements
May 2025 Teacher of the Year | Lubbock-Cooper North Elementary School, Lubbock-Cooper ISD
Jan 2021 “Making IT Happen” Award Winner | Texas Computer Educators Association
Aug 2017 Nominee, Outstanding Staff Member | Abilene Christian University
Jan 2013 - present Founder, Director | HOPE School of Leadership Online School, Nairobi, Kenya
Sept 2012 - Nov 2015 Board Member | Change a Life Ministry, Nairobi, Kenya
Oct 2009 - Jan 2015 Board Member | Made in the Streets Ministry, Nairobi, Kenya
Feb 2016 FTC Robotics Panhandle-Plains Regional Championship Team | First Tech Challenge
Jan 2016 FTC Robotics North League Championship Team | First Tech Challenge
May 2011 - May 2015 Five-Time State Qualifying Robotics Teams | Texas Computer Educators Association
Jan 2012 Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year | Texas Computer Educators Association
May 2006 Teacher of the Year | WT Hanes Elementary School, Irving ISD
Jan 2021 “Making IT Happen” Award Winner | Texas Computer Educators Association
Aug 2017 Nominee, Outstanding Staff Member | Abilene Christian University
Jan 2013 - present Founder, Director | HOPE School of Leadership Online School, Nairobi, Kenya
Sept 2012 - Nov 2015 Board Member | Change a Life Ministry, Nairobi, Kenya
Oct 2009 - Jan 2015 Board Member | Made in the Streets Ministry, Nairobi, Kenya
Feb 2016 FTC Robotics Panhandle-Plains Regional Championship Team | First Tech Challenge
Jan 2016 FTC Robotics North League Championship Team | First Tech Challenge
May 2011 - May 2015 Five-Time State Qualifying Robotics Teams | Texas Computer Educators Association
Jan 2012 Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year | Texas Computer Educators Association
May 2006 Teacher of the Year | WT Hanes Elementary School, Irving ISD
HOPE School of Leadership
www.hopeschoolofleadership.org
I am the founder and director for HOPE School of Leadership, an online Christian university based in Nairobi, Kenya. I work with two full-time team members in Kenya: Paul Oduor, our Director of Kenya Operations, and Nataline Olang, our Student Support Specialist. HOPE School opened its virtual doors in 2013 and has been completely funded by family and friends and local churches. HOPE School is 100% online, and most of our students are able to complete their two-year diploma program using only a smart phone (and a lot of hustle).
Video Production: George Sunday
darrenwilson.smugmug.com/Video/Video/i-7HMMWZ8/A
I consider myself a "power user" of many Adobe Creative Cloud products. I am an advanced user or Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premier Pro. In December of 2018 I shot and edited this story of George Sunday, one of HOPE School's 2018 graduates. This story demonstrates my digital story-telling skills, but more importantly, highlights the power of online learning and building virtual relationships. While George Sunday was a student of mine for two years, I only got to spend a few hours with him in real life- just enough to shoot this video.
www.hopeschoolofleadership.org
I am the founder and director for HOPE School of Leadership, an online Christian university based in Nairobi, Kenya. I work with two full-time team members in Kenya: Paul Oduor, our Director of Kenya Operations, and Nataline Olang, our Student Support Specialist. HOPE School opened its virtual doors in 2013 and has been completely funded by family and friends and local churches. HOPE School is 100% online, and most of our students are able to complete their two-year diploma program using only a smart phone (and a lot of hustle).
Video Production: George Sunday
darrenwilson.smugmug.com/Video/Video/i-7HMMWZ8/A
I consider myself a "power user" of many Adobe Creative Cloud products. I am an advanced user or Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premier Pro. In December of 2018 I shot and edited this story of George Sunday, one of HOPE School's 2018 graduates. This story demonstrates my digital story-telling skills, but more importantly, highlights the power of online learning and building virtual relationships. While George Sunday was a student of mine for two years, I only got to spend a few hours with him in real life- just enough to shoot this video.