At a reception during the 2018 TCEA Convention & Exposition in Austin, Texas, it was announced that Mrs. Sherri Forrest, Manager of Technical Services at Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA), had won the honor of “Technical Support Person of the Year.” This award recognizes exemplary support personnel who make significant contributions by providing technical support to facilitate the successful use of technology on a campus or at the district level. These employees exemplify innovation and are dedicated to advancing teaching and learning with technology. It is one of several honors given out as part of TCEA’s Educator Awards and Scholarships.
“Infusing technology in the classroom enables PCA teachers to reach our students in their native language,” said PCA Head of School, Dr. Larry Taylor. “I am thrilled that the TCEA has honored the work that our Technology team, led by Mrs. Barbara Brown and Mrs. Sherri Forrest, puts in every day, striving for excellence as they provide students with tools to access, create, share and collaborate as global, digital citizens. As our Portrait of a Graduate outlines so clearly, our Technology Program engages students in learning so that they reach their God-given potential.”
Currently in her 18th year in technology education, Mrs. Forrest has led PCA’s technical department to revolutionize how it provides service to the Pre-K through 12th grade, multi-campus school system. She meets weekly with campus technicians to discuss project timelines and provide assistance as needed. Mrs. Forrest has been the mainstay of PCA’s ability to initiate and sustain the one-to-one program for all K through 12th grade students. She recently became a JAMF Certified Casper Technician (CCT).
“Sherri will do whatever it takes to resolve technical issues for all PCA students and employees,” said Mrs. Barbara Brown, PCA’s Senior Director of Technology. “She has spent countless hours learning the new systems that PCA has acquired to manage the one-to-one environment. Sherri’s remarkable leadership is an amazing gift to Prestonwood Christian Academy. Her integrity and genuine servant’s heart propel everyone who knows Sherri to be a better person and employee. She embodies the phrase: There is nothing so strong as gentleness and nothing so gentle as true strength. Her kindness is exceeded only by her tireless drive to create technological excellence for each Prestonwood Christian Academy student and employee.”
Mrs. Forrest graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Business Information Systems and then worked as the Office Manager and Tech Systems Manager at HEB Printing and Associates for 12 years. Mrs. Forrest spent time in the Frisco Independent School District and served as the Technology Director at Legacy Christian Academy before making the move to Prestonwood Christian Academy.
“I feel very honored and humbled to be awarded with such a distinction,” said Mrs. Forrest. “I have a great team and loving family that have supported and led me to this point. I am always striving for excellence in my work. I look for ways to serve and desire to be someone people can depend on. Caring for others is very important to me. I am so happy to be able to represent PCA to the technology educators of Texas in this way.”
“It is our honor to bestow these awards on deserving educators who are out in the field making incredible advances in teaching and learning with technology,” said Lori Gracey, the Executive Director of TCEA, about Mrs. Forrest and all of the 2018 Educator Award winners.
Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students enrolled at three campuses: Plano (Pre-Kindergarten 3 through 12th grade), PCA North in Prosper (Pre-Kindergarten 3 through 7th grade) and PCAplus Virtual Academy. PCA North is now enrolling through 8th grade. PCA has been recognized as having one of the strongest Christian education programs in the country providing intentional biblical worldview training and integration. PCA places great value on the growth of students' spiritual health in addition to their scholastic endeavors and co-curricular activities. In addition to PCA's spiritual development plan, the school promotes a rigorous Liberal Arts academic program. The graduating class of 2017 was offered more than $10 million in scholarship for academics, arts and athletics from universities and other institutions of higher learning. PCA is currently accepting applications. Interested families are invited to take a campus tour to learn more! Details and registration are available at prestonwoodchristian.org/admissions.
About TCEA
TCEA (tcea.org) is a nonprofit, member-based organization that has supported the use of technology in education for the last 37 years. Our primary focus is on integrating technology into the PreK-16 environment and providing our members with cutting-edge knowledge and resources through conferences, workshops, online and print publications, and collaborations with higher education and business.