MTDA Executive Director Receives 2024 META Superintendent Award
MISSOULA – Dr. Jason Neiffer, executive director of the Montana Digital Academy, was selected by the Montana Educational Technologists Association (META) as the 2024 META Empowered Superintendent of the Year.
Carol Phillips, president of the META Board of Directors, presented the award to Dr. Neiffer at the METAtechED Conference in Helena on Monday, March 11th.
“As Executive Director, Dr. Neiffer has led the Montana Digital Academy (MTDA) to new heights, championing the integration of artificial intelligence in education, enhancing digital learning access, and advocating for meaningful technology use across Montana. His dedication to expanding educational equity, fostering critical support for schools, and guiding essential conversations about technology's role in education exemplifies visionary leadership,” said Phillips. “Dr. Neiffer's work, characterized by his commitment to thoughtful planning, execution, and collaboration, not only advances digital learning in Montana but also sets a standard for quality and innovation in education.”
First awarded in 2018, the META Empowered Superintendent of the Year Award Program recognizes a Montana school superintendent who “consistently and passionately provides educational technology leadership, support, understanding and guidance in working with their school technologist(s) to create a successful and efficient system of technology supported education.” (META Awards website).
MTDA, a specialty unit at the University of Montana Phyllis J. Washington College of Education, is an online program providing supplemental coursework to K-12 students through partnerships with public schools across Montana. Offering courses online allows students to access them conveniently, eliminating schedule conflicts and expanding academic options.
The 2023 Montana Legislature expanded MTDA’s mission to include new categories of digital learning services, including content and platforms to help Montana schools find new pathways to service students through flexible instruction. MTDA also administers the EdReady Montana project, offering a proficiency-based education toolset to leaders and educators of all ages across the state.
"It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the Montana Educational Technologists Association and School Administrators of Montana with this award," said Neiffer. "Both META and SAM members have done extraordinary work to help push ahead conversations about educational technology. They have been instrumental in getting devices and platforms into the hands of Montana's students and teachers, making teaching and learning more effective and relevant. I am proud to work with such an extraordinary team of teachers and staff, along with colleagues in schools across the state, to drive this work forward."
Neiffer was nominated for the award by MTDA Assistant Director/Curriculum Director Mike Agostinelli.
“Jason has worked his entire career to find ways to make educational technology serve effective classroom instruction. His recent leadership in the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence has impacted not just our program, but is also a driver across Montana and the nation,” said Agostinelli.
Neiffer has worked in Montana public education for the last 27 years. After 13 years in the classroom, he joined the MTDA staff when the organization started in 2010. He was the initial Curriculum Director, then Assistant Director. In 2022, he was named the Executive Director of the organization. Neiffer is also a graduate of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education curriculum and instruction doctoral program.