Patrick Donovan is an educator who started out as a high school science teacher but has spent time as a technology integration specialist and Director of Technology.

• Instructional Coach – Ames High School – August 2022 to present
• Technology Integration Specialist – Nevada Community School District – July 2020 to June 2022
• Director of Technology – Ames Community School District – July 2019 to July 2020
• Technology Integration Specialist – Ames High School – August 2013 to July 2019
• Science Teacher (Physics, 8th-grade Physical Science, 7th-grade Life Science) – Ames High School and Ames Middle School – August 2012 to June 2013
• Science Teacher (Physics, 9th-grade Earth Science, Global Science, Principles of Engineering, Horticulture) – South Hamilton High School – August 2007 to June 2012
• Science Teacher (Physics, 9th-grade Environmental Science, Principles of Technology, Astronomy) – Jefferson High School (Cedar Rapids, IA) – August 2004 to June 2007
  

College Courses Taught

• Educ 302 – Iowa State University – Spring 2025
• Educ 202 – Iowa State University – Spring 2024
• Educ 203/303/403 – Iowa State University – Fall 2021 and Spring 2022
• CI 454 – Iowa State University – Spring 2017, 2018, 2019

Degrees

• Started Doctorate in Educational Technology in Fall of 2024
• Masters in Administration – Transformative School Leadership – Iowa State University – May 2021
• Masters in Curriculum and Instructional Technology – Iowa State University – May 2015
• Bachelors of Science – Physics and Secondary Education – Iowa State University – May 2004

Esports Coaching

• Nevada HS – Fall 2020 to Spring 2022 – Smash Ultimate, Rocket League, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
• Ames HS – Winter 2022 to current – Smash Ultimate, Overwatch 2, Rocket League, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Valorant – 6 straight teams to the IAHSEA State Tournament – Rocket League Winter 2024/2025 State Champions in Class 2.

He is a certified Google for Education Trainer and Innovator.  He has presented on the use of educational technology at various state, regional, and national educational conferences, including being a featured speaker at both ITEC and the Iowa 1:1 Conference. Patrick has a passion for focusing on accessibility and making learning accessible for all students.  He also believes that technology should not be the focus of our learning but is a tool that we can use to get to the levels of teaching and learning that we desire. Patrick is a member of the Iowa Technology and Education Connection board and is currently serving as the Board President for 2022.

A list of my most recent presentations:

Local Conferences:

• UDL – The Konami Code for Student Learning – ITEC 2024
• Super-Sizing Student (and Teacher) Collaboration with Figjam – ITEC 2024
• Esports Livestreaming on a Shoestring Budget – ITEC 2024
• Enhancing Student (and Teacher) Collaboration with Figjam – NETA 2024
• Designing for Learner Variability: Removing Learning Barriers – NETA 2024
• Ditching the Red Pen – Providing Better Feedback to Students – ITEC 2023
• Designing for Learner Variability: Removing Learning Barriers – ITEC 2023
• Feedback, Formative Assessment, and Creation Tools Oh My – ACSD Little Cyclone Academy 2023
• Removing Learning Barriers for Students with UDL – ACSD Little Cyclone Academy 2023
• AI in the Classroom – ACSD Little Cyclone Academy 2023
• Removing Learning Barriers in All Classrooms – Heartland AEA HOI 2023
• Ditching the Red Pen – Providing Better Feedback to Students – Heartland AEA HOI 2023
• Designing for Learner Variability: Removing Learning Barriers – Keystone AEA KPEC 2023
• Ditching the Red Pen – Providing Better Feedback to Students – Keystone AEA KPEC 2023

National Conferences:

• UDL – The Konami Code for Student Learning – FETC 2025
• Esports Livestreaming on a Shoestring Budget – FETC 2025
• Making Learning Accessible for All – ISTE 2018
• Do More With Sheets – Become a Sheets Wizard – ISTE 2017
• We Can Now Make It Accessible for All – IGNITE – ISTE 2017
• Challenges and Badges (Gamification) for Teacher Learning – ISTE 2017

Patrick was part of the Friendly Disruption podcast and is an advocate for making learning accessible for all.

Email: donovanscience (at) gmail.com

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Stock images used for posts are from public domain sources or created by the author.  (light bulb, chalk board)