Avon Schools’ Kelly Gonzales Joins Polaris Career Center

The Avon School District will experience a significant administrative shift as Kelly Gonzales, the current Director of Educational Technology and Innovation, is set to join Polaris Career Center on January 1, 2024. This transition comes shortly after former superintendent Ben Hodges departed for a new opportunity, marking another notable change within the district’s leadership.

Gonzales brings over 16 years of experience in both education and information technology. She began her career in Avon, where she spent a decade teaching English Language Arts and technology within Avon Local Schools. During this time, she developed and implemented various technology-driven courses, collaborating with colleagues to create data-driven curricula that contributed to improved student outcomes, including enhanced scores on the ACT and AP English Literature exams.

After a successful teaching career, Gonzales transitioned to the role of District Media Specialist in 2019. In this capacity, she launched a districtwide makerspace initiative and developed a new digital citizenship curriculum. Her efforts also streamlined access to digital resources and provided coaching for teachers on integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and instructional technology into their classrooms.

In 2023, Gonzales took on the position of Director of Innovation and Technology for Avon Local Schools. She oversaw comprehensive Information Technology operations, playing a pivotal role in the modernization and rebuilding of the district’s network infrastructure. This initiative resulted in enhanced operational efficiency and improved cybersecurity measures throughout the organization.

Gonzales holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History of Art from The Ohio State University and a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Educational Technology from Baldwin Wallace University. In her new position at Polaris, she will oversee all Information Technology functions while driving technology innovation to support teaching, learning, and operational efficiency across the district.

As educational institutions continue to adapt to technological advancements, Gonzales’ leadership is expected to contribute significantly to Polaris’ mission of providing high-quality educational opportunities.