 | As summer approaches, Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) in education face a critical window of opportunity to implement upgrades, roll out new systems, and refresh technology across their campuses. With tight deadlines before students and teachers return, success hinges not only on technical execution but also on the ability to gain the team’s buy-in as well as the stakeholder’s buy-in. Without commitment, even the best plans can fall flat. To help CTOs lead effective transitions, here are four key strategies to inspire commitment and ensure smoother, successful summer implementations. |
Preplanning: Create a Shared Vision
Hopefully, if some of the summer upgrades will change the way students and staff operate or WHAT they operate, you started by involving teachers, administrators, support staff, students, and community representatives in the planning process. You collaboratively built a vision that reflects your district’s goals and educational values. This inclusivity ensured that everyone feels a sense of ownership over the changes, which naturally leads to greater engagement and accountability. With your team, I am sure you developed a roadmap that outlined the implementation steps, expected outcomes, and evaluation measures. You used “we” language to emphasize collective effort and shared success with your team and with the stakeholders. When they see their input reflected in the plan, their commitment increases.
Before Teachers Leave, During the Summer, and at Back-to-School Events: Be Transparent and Communicate Clearly
Ongoing, honest communication fosters trust. Begin early and continue regularly with updates throughout the summer via email, face-to-face interactions, on the webpage, or in a newsletter, in
preparation for the back-to-school season. Teachers may not read their email during the summer, but the message will be there when they do! Explain both the benefits and potential challenges of the changes and be clear about timelines and expectations. Don’t let teachers come in for summer PD or return to school and be surprised. Make it clear how staff can report issues or seek support. When people feel informed and connected, they are more likely to be supportive, even in the face of problems. Make it clear when the change or implementation will be complete, and they can expect things to be working.
preparation for the back-to-school season. Teachers may not read their email during the summer, but the message will be there when they do! Explain both the benefits and potential challenges of the changes and be clear about timelines and expectations. Don’t let teachers come in for summer PD or return to school and be surprised. Make it clear how staff can report issues or seek support. When people feel informed and connected, they are more likely to be supportive, even in the face of problems. Make it clear when the change or implementation will be complete, and they can expect things to be working.
Provide Targeted Professional Development
No summer tech rollout will succeed without timely, relevant training. Develop sessions that are scaffolded for varying skill levels, and frame them in terms of how the changes will affect each person’s daily work. For instructional technology, emphasize the pedagogical benefits. Teachers are more likely to embrace new tools when they see how it will improve student learning. Provide on-demand resources and offer multiple training formats to accommodate different learning styles and schedules.
Celebrate Wins and Share Success Stories
Highlight progress, milestones, and positive outcomes throughout the summer. For major changes or implementations, contact the press for articles and pictures. Share success stories from pilot classrooms, early adopters, and support teams. Use both qualitative anecdotes and quantitative data to show the impact of the changes. Recognize the efforts of all contributors—from tech staff and administrators to teachers and students. Utilize newsletters, social media, or internal bulletins to disseminate stories and visuals, ensuring proper permissions are obtained. People love being part of a winning team, and seeing their work celebrated builds long-term engagement.
conclusion
Summer is the season of change for EdTech departments, but successful implementation goes beyond devices and infrastructure. It’s about people. By creating a shared vision, communicating transparently, listening actively, providing meaningful training, and celebrating progress, CTOs can build the buy-in necessary for lasting success. A collaborative approach ensures that when fall arrives, your district isn’t just more tech-enabled—it’s more connected and committed to innovation.