MassCUE is proud to celebrate Kara Wilkins as our Featured Educator for November 2025!

This Featured Educator post was written by Heather Hannon, ELA teacher at the Carroll School and member of the MassCUE Communications Committee.

For Kara Wilkins, technology is more than a classroom tool—it’s a bridge that connects teachers, students, and possibilities. As the District Technology Integration Specialist for grades Pre-K through 8 for Lowell Public Schools, Kara has spent the past nine years empowering educators to create classrooms where technology enhances accessibility, engagement, and joy in learning.

In addition to her district role, Kara serves as an adjunct professor at Fitchburg State University, where she mentors future educators and shares her passion for technology-driven instruction. Her work spans an impressive range of initiatives—from developing professional learning experiences and creating virtual field trips in partnership with UMass Lowell to leading innovative AI integration projects that are reshaping her district’s approach to teaching and learning.

Accessibility is at the heart of everything Kara does. With a background in special education and social studies, she ensures that every project, professional development session, and classroom tool supports diverse learners. She emphasizes the importance of accommodations and inclusive design, helping teachers implement tools that meet the needs of all students. Kara often reminds her colleagues that “teachers are better when they’re less stressed,” explaining, “If I can help them feel confident and supported, then their students are going to have better learning experiences.”

That philosophy drives every professional development session she leads. Whether she’s helping kindergarten teachers use Seesaw to foster creativity or guiding upper-grade teams in aligning lessons with ISTE Standards and the Common Core, Kara’s workshops are hands-on, accessible, and relevant. Her commitment to professional learning deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she played a vital role in helping teachers adapt to remote and hybrid instruction. She championed Seesaw and other digital platforms, ensuring even the youngest learners could stay connected and engaged despite technological and budget constraints.

Recently, Kara has been at the forefront of integrating Gemini, an AI-driven tool that streamlines the writing of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Gemini generates personalized goals, objectives, and accommodations by analyzing data from sources such as i-Ready, WISC assessments, standards, and Can Do descriptors. Kara has been instrumental in training educators to use Gemini effectively, emphasizing that AI tools should empower teachers, not replace them. Her leadership in implementing Gemini has saved teachers valuable time while improving the quality of student support documentation.

Kara’s approach to coaching is deeply empathetic. She acknowledges that some educators are hesitant to seek help with technology, often fearing judgment or feeling overwhelmed. To overcome this, she focuses on building trust and rapport, creating a supportive environment where teachers feel safe to ask questions and experiment. “I try to meet people where they are,” she explains. “I don’t want to push anyone into something they’re not ready for. My goal is to make them comfortable and confident—to eliminate that feeling of fear.”

Beyond her day-to-day responsibilities, Kara is a passionate advocate for sharing resources and ideas among educators. She believes that collaboration is the key to growth—both for teachers and for districts striving to innovate. Her partnerships with institutions like UMass Lowell have led to creative initiatives, including virtual field trips that connect students to real-world learning experiences.

When she’s not leading PD sessions or mentoring teachers, Kara relies on her favorite piece of technology—her phone—to stay connected and inspired. Whether using ChatGPT, listening to audiobooks, or exploring new podcasts, she embraces continuous learning as part of her personal and professional philosophy.

As for being recognized as MassCUE’s November Featured Educator, Kara says the honor is especially meaningful.

“It’s very sweet to be recognized,” she reflects. “I’ve been going to the MassCUE Fall Conference for over ten years. The people there—the community they’ve created—it’s full of educators who are willing to share, learn, and grow together. That’s exactly the kind of community I want to be part of.”

Through her unwavering focus on accessibility, innovation, and educator well-being, Kara Wilkins continues to redefine what it means to integrate technology in schools. Her leadership, creativity, and compassion make her a true edtech trailblazer—and a shining example of how thoughtful, inclusive technology use can transform teaching and learning for all.

Kara Wilkins Bio:

Kara Wilkins spent 18 years teaching special education and social studies to 7th and 8th graders. She is currently a District Technology Integration Specialist for the Lowell Public Schools, supporting 26 schools from PreK through Grade 8. Kara was named a 2015 Local PBS Digital Innovator for Massachusetts and a 2018 PBS Digital Innovator All-Star, one of only 30 in the country. She also served as a Teacher Leader Educator Ambassador for WGBH until 2022. Kara is passionate about accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and leverages technology to ensure that all learners can succeed.

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