Dr. Laura Vanderberg Attends Apple's Distinguished Educator Institute

In the spring, Dr. Laura Vanderberg, Director of the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL), was selected as an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) for her pioneering work leading the school’s innovative iPAL program. Apple hand-picked Dr. Vanderberg from a highly esteemed and talented crowd of educators world-wide.

As a member of the ADE network, Dr. Vanderberg will contribute engaging and innovative educational practices across the world and also bring ADE’s vast resources back to the Curry community.

The first chance Dr. Vanderberg had to collaborate with other distinguished educators came July 14-18 as she attended the ADE Institute for the Americas in Bethesda, Maryland. This three-day intensive professional learning experience brings ADEs together to collaborate, share, and learn directly with peers from across the region.

“To be selected as an Apple Distinguished Educator and to go to the Apple Institute with 200 colleagues from multiple countries from three continents was incredibly inspiring … to have an intensive experience where I had access to that level of enthusiasm, commitment, and organization meant that I can come back inspired, rejuvenated, and committed to sharing and building on that knowledge here at Curry,” said Dr. Vanderberg.

The ADE distinction recognizes the innovative and pioneering iPAL curriculum Dr. Vanderberg and her team have developed over the last three academic years at Curry College. This program has flipped the typical higher-educational model and includes students as co-owners of the curriculum, evaluation, and pedagogy. The program’s YouTube channel, for example, includes authentic student-created content of their learning in action and serves as a teaching and reference platform for students, faculty, and teachers at Curry and across the globe.

“The Distinguished Educator distinction is a most appropriate recognition of Dr. Vanderberg’s expertise, passion, and success in utilizing technology as an enabling and empowering tool for students and faculty alike. She is a true visionary in the pursuit of innovative approaches to serving students with learning differences. Curry College is proud of Dr. Vanderberg’s notable achievement,” said David Szczerbacki, Provost of Curry College.

Apple created the ADE Program in 1994 to recognize K-12 and higher education pioneers who are using Apple technology to transform teaching and learning in powerful ways. Celebrating 25 years, the program has grown into a worldwide community of over 2,800 visionary and innovative leaders in education, helping other educators rethink what’s possible with iPad and Mac.