Ridgefield Schools Name New Technology Director

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Public Schools have named Wes DeSantis, current K-12 STEM supervisor, to be director of Education Technology.

DeSantis has served in the district previously as a high school physics teacher, and coach of the electric car race team and the founding director of the annual cardboard boat race. He is also the host of the district's weekly "Tiger Talk" podcasts

Of the hire, Superintendent Susie Da Silva said, "We know he is up to the challenge. He was an important asset of our technology leadership before COVID struck and has been invaluable since March."

DeSantis has sat on the Ridgefield Public Schools Technology Committee for years and recently worked to secure and implement some of the technologies that have been necessary for the schools' reopening, including noise-canceling cameras for all the teachers.

"I know the power of technology in today's classroom," DeSantis said. "I also know the drawbacks. It's so important that we stay up-to-date, flexible, and informed as we harness these amazing resources to support teachers, families, and learning. Technology needs to be considered a teaching tool, not a panacea or replacement."

DeSantis is an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University and recently completed peer-reviewed research involving the use of virtual reality simulations in the training of new teachers.