Michelle Zimmerman

Dr. Zimmerman is a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Surface Expert, Lead PBS DigitalMedia Innovator, and was named 2016 NCCE Outstanding Technology Educator of the Year, and received the Ahead of the Class – Excellence in Education Award (presented by Renton City Council and Seattle Seahawks).

She has taught all grades from Pre-K through 10th within the past 16 years, with a focus on middle and high school since 2009. She has presented her research across the US and Canada since 2007 and to Satya Nadella and his executive team.

The evidence of her original research and theory into practice can be seen in designing Renton Prep. She was thrilled to see the school become FETC STEM Excellence Award Finalist for 2016 as top 3 STEM Middle Schools in the Nation, Microsoft Showcase School, and receive the Award of Excellence for Digital Curriculum and Content Strategy from The Learning Counsel, and the inaugural Lester R. Bayer Award for Excellence in Urban Education.

Her high school STEM students co-authored an invited chapter with her to add to her original research chapter in Revolutionizing Education with Digital Ink: The Impact of Pen and Touch Technology on Education (Human-Computer Interaction Series, Springer 2016).

The legacy of her work is expressed through her students submitting their own proposals, speaking at international conferences and co-authoring invited blogs.