“Making It Happen” is an award of recognition that highlights the dramatic role that individuals in South Carolina are having on the learning process in our schools. This program is to acknowledge those special individuals whose commitment and innovation to technology has made a profound impact in our State. To date, more than 100 educators across the country have received “Making It Happen” Awards. The focus of the “Making It Happen” program is on awarding individuals for their significant contribution to technology and encouraging them to continue their work.  South Carolina has a large group of individuals who are “Making It Happen” in our districts and our State every day. The Making It Happen Award is to recognize school administrators, district office personnel, or state leaders who are Making It Happen.

Recipients of the “Making It Happen” awards are individuals who:

1. Apply available technology now
2. Move forward and don't look back
3. See students as real people
4. Teach through relationships, inspiring, encouraging, nurturing
5. Recognize that further change is necessary, but understand that it is a process
6. Realize that teacher empowerment is the key element to technology integration
7. Expect success
8. Motivate through awareness and access to information

Now -- Ask yourself these questions:

1. When you think of technology anywhere in the world and the impact the person made -- who is the first name that comes to mind?
   
   
2. When you think of technology and South Carolina -- who is the first person that comes to mind?
   
   
3. When you think of technology in your district and the person who has made a dramatic impact -- who is the first name that comes to mind?
   
   
4. What are the attributes, personal traits, professional accomplishments that all of these individuals have in common?