Senior Learning Technologist, Education Development Center
Nominee: Heleen Terwijn
Mary Burns is a senior learning technologist at Education Development Center. Since 1984, she has worked as a teacher, instructional coach, curriculum developer, researcher, professional development provider, planner, and evaluator primarily in the area of technology across all continents, all levels from K-16, a range of subject areas, and numerous technology modalities (from interactive radio instruction to online learning). Her body of work traverses multiple levels of the educational system—she has authored national technology plans and online learning strategies; advised ministries of education on technology and teacher professional development; and designed and conducted online, blended, and face-to-face professional development with teachers and teacher educators in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the U.S.
Burns has co-authored four books and more than 100 articles and book chapters on technology-embedded teacher professional development (including a monthly blog for the Global Partnership for Education). She has won awards for excellence in teaching, curriculum development, and research.
Burns holds a B.A. in international politics and romance languages from Boston College, an M.S. in urban planning, an M.A. in Latin American studies from the University of Texas, and an Ed.M. from Harvard University. She speaks French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
