For as long as I can remember, my heart was set on one thing: becoming a teacher. In second grade, when Mrs. Thelma James asked me what I wanted to be, I proudly told her that I was going to be a second-grade teacher. It was more than just a fleeting childhood aspiration—it was my calling. Years later, as I stepped into the classroom for my student teaching, it was as a second-grade teacher. And when I signed my very first teaching contract in Augusta, Georgia, it was, once again, to teach second grade. It was as if my destiny had been etched into the fabric of my soul since the age of seven.
But my dreams didn’t stop there. I always harbored another ambition: to write a book. Even as a young student, I would write and “publish” countless little books, fueled by a passion for storytelling and sharing knowledge. But it wasn’t until 2024 that this long-held dream of that little girl, Sheryl Ann, became a reality. And what a journey it was!
| The turning point came when I crossed paths with three extraordinary women who, like me, shared the same fierce determination and dreams. Diane Doersch, Frankie Jackson, and Donna Williamson—three women I’d come to know and love over the decades—became my partners in this adventure. Our careers had taken us through an incredible tapestry of roles: teachers, librarians, principals, technology specialists, chief technology officers, even NASA programmer. Together, we didn’t just navigate our paths in education; we thrived, grew, and became voices for change and innovation. |  |
 We stood on stages at every major edtech conference, sharing our thoughts, ideas, and passion with others—whether it was at ISTE, CoSN, FETC, TCEA, SETDA, or countless other venues. These stages became platforms for us to not only present our expertise but also to inspire others to envision new possibilities in education. It was exhilarating to know that our words were planting seeds of innovation in classrooms and districts across the globe. And as we continued to extend our passion for sharing our knowledge and expertise—collectively holding over 120 years of experience in the field of educational technology—we realized something profound. After years of leading school districts, pioneering new technologies, and building friendships across the globe, there was an undeniable, almost urgent desire to channel all of that into something lasting. We wanted to leave a legacy, to share our insights, lessons, and stories with others in a way that could inspire future generations.  When it came time to pitch the manuscript, I knew exactly where it belonged: with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Having had a long, rewarding relationship with ISTE, it felt like the perfect home for our work. And when they reviewed our manuscript, they said, "YES!"—a validation that filled my heart with immense pride. |   That’s when the idea of writing a book began to take shape. It wasn’t just a passing thought; it was a vision born at a women’s Linking Leaders Summit in San Diego, California. We knew that what we had to share was valuable, and it deserved to be documented. So, we did what all determined women do—we got to work! For over a year, we met every Friday morning on Zoom, collaborating tirelessly, wearing out Google Docs, Sheets, and every tool imaginable. Week after week, our vision came to life, and before we knew it, we had a book. And not just any book, but a VERY good book. |
And now, my life as an edtech leader is immortalized in print. The Savvy EdTech Leader: Innovative Strategies to Boost Influence and Elevate Your Career is not just a book; it’s the culmination of a seven-year-old girl’s dream. It’s the story of passion, perseverance, and the belief that no dream is too big. My hope is that this book will be a catalyst—a beacon for other educators, inspiring them to reach for their own dreams, no matter how distant they may seem.
If there’s one thing I want to leave with every reader, it’s this: dreams are powerful. They fuel us, guide us, and remind us of the boundless potential within. May The Savvy EdTech Leader be proof that with hard work, collaboration, and the courage to believe in yourself, anything is possible. After all, if a little girl from second grade can turn her dreams into reality, so can you.