Dr. Joan McGettigan is the Director of Educational Technology at The Windward School in New York, an institution dedicated to serving students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities. Previously, she served as the Director of Instructional Technology for Darien Public Schools in Connecticut from 2019 to 2023, and before that, as the Director of Educational and Information Technology at North Broward Preparatory, an Apple Distinguished School. 

With a foundation in classroom teaching, Dr. McGettigan holds master's degrees in Elementary Education and Educational Technology, along with a doctorate in Instructional Leadership. She is recognized as an ISTE Certified Educator, Apple Distinguished Educator, MIEE, and Apple Learning Coach.

In October 2024, Dr. McGettigan co-designed and co-hosted the three-part curriculum series titled "Building a Better Curriculum" for the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), where she worked with independent schools to enhance their curriculum development processes. This recent series provided strategic support for schools looking to align innovative practices with their educational goals.

At the ISTE 2024 conference, Dr. McGettigan presented to a large audience on Authentic Assessment in the Age of AI. She emphasized the critical importance of schools developing an AI philosophy and policy, ensuring that teachers, staff, and students understand how to harness the power of AI in an ethical and responsible manner. Her forward-thinking perspective highlights how AI can be integrated into educational settings to enhance learning outcomes while safeguarding ethical considerations.

Dr. McGettigan also hosts a vodcast series for the Windward Institute titled AI Insights in EdTech: Leading Voices Windward Institute Vodcast, where she brings together thought leaders in education and technology to explore how AI is shaping the future of teaching and learning.

During her tenure at Darien School District, Dr. McGettigan was entrusted with overseeing Technology Education and Libraries, managing a team of 14 individuals. Her responsibilities encompassed budgetary oversight, curriculum development, alignment, professional development leadership, and provision of curricular support. Noteworthy achievements under her leadership include guiding the district-wide council in formulating a Future Ready Technology Plan and establishing a successful K-12 robotics program.

Darien schools, serving approximately 4,500 students, consistently rank among the top 5% of school districts in the state. Dr. McGettigan acknowledges the complex task of meeting the diverse needs of both teachers and students, particularly emphasizing the challenges posed by the confluence of the pandemic and advancements in artificial intelligence. Her passion lies in fostering collaborative partnerships to create effective, engaging, and outcome-driven learning environments.

Reflecting on her role, Dr. McGettigan identifies the most rewarding aspect as facilitating innovative and creative teaching methods through partnership with stakeholders including students, teachers, parents, administrators, foundations, and the board of education. Recognizing the evolving landscape of education, she emphasizes the importance of advocating for academic-driven goals, especially in the face of emerging challenges.

For those aspiring to similar positions, Dr. McGettigan advises a careful and empathetic approach, advocating strongly for the needs of students and teachers while being adaptable to steer necessary changes. Her expertise has been shared at national conferences, including ISTE, FETC, and NSU Teachers of Tomorrow, and her work can be followed on Twitter at @drmcgettigan.