Dr. Shannon N. Tabaldo is the Founding Director of the Innovation in Digital Education and Leadership (iDEAL) Institute and Director of Digital Curriculum Integration and Development for the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University. The iDEAL Institute provides professional learning in teaching and leadership through the integration of technology for the benefit of all students. The iDEAL Institute seeks to advance learning by fostering forward-thinking in transformative and sustainable educational practice. Shannon is also Affiliated Faculty and a senior lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Loyola Marymount University School of Education.
Shannon enrolled in the Ed.D. Program to enhance her leadership skills, especially in the area of advancing equity justice. The work she does in the iDEAL Institute serves students who often experience systemic inequalities and the program allowed her to connect with like-minded professionals as she explored how she could influence change and advocate for marginalized groups and promote inclusivity in the educational spaces she serves.
Shannon’s dissertation, “The Impact of Blended Learning Professional Development on Teacher Efficacy: Exploring an Experiential Model,” chaired by Dr. Rebecca Stephenson, allowed her to explore how teacher self-efficacy of teaching in the Blended Learning modality increases when the professional development is interactive, supported with coaching and on-going.
Her participation in the Ed.D. Program has personally fulfilled her dream of earning this degree while allowing her to stand out as a leader in education technology. This experience has been both affirming and transformative, providing opportunities for professional networking and expanding her career prospects. It has opened doors to leadership roles within education and beyond, enabling her to make a greater impact in the field.