The application window for the 2026 CTO Academy Cohort is now closed.
CTO Academy Purpose
The Alabama Chief Technology Officer Academy is a certification program designed for those who currently serve as their system's technology director and those who aspire to such positions. The program is founded on the understanding that the leadership responsibilities and expertise required for this role are tremendously complex and dynamic. Success in the role of a K-12 CTO means possessing and maintaining a high level of competency in education and technology, not just one or the other. Regardless of the participant's background, the program has much to offer. Participants will share with and learn from other professionals throughout the program, leading to personal and professional growth.
Participation
Per Alabama's 2024 Educational Technology and Cybersecurity Leadership Act, all newly appointed district technology directors must complete the ALET CTO Academy within three years of taking on the role. However, the Academy is open to both current and aspiring technology directors.
Individuals meeting the criteria below are eligible to apply for participation in the CTO Academy. The requirements for participation are intended to establish and maintain program rigor and high quality, not to discriminate against any interested candidate. The criteria and order of acceptance are as follows:
- New System Technology Directors with less than three years of experience*
- ALET Members currently serving as Technology Directors, regardless of years of experience
- ALET Members serving on the system’s technology staff
- General ALET members having at least three years of experience in a K-12 educational role
*ALET membership is recommended, but not required, for newly appointed technology directors fulfilling the State requirement.
CTO Courses
The AL-CTO Academy consists of six strands covering all significant responsibilities of the position. The professional strands are aligned to standards from ISTE and CoSN's Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL) framework but tailored to Alabama. Please note that the CETL program and AL-CTO program are different certifications. Neither is a prerequisite for the other.
- CTO ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- LAW, ETHICS, AND POLICIES
- DATA MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
- TEACHING AND LEARNING
- IT MANAGEMENT and CYBERSECURITY
- TECHNOLOGY PLANNING and BUDGETING
PLU for the 2025 CTO Academy
The PD Title Number is PLUACLD1261
PD Title Name is Chief Technology Officer Academy PLU
PD Title Name is Chief Technology Officer Academy PLU
Cost
The one-time course fee is $100. Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and meals. Scholarships may be available for members of the 2025 CTO Cohort who have financial needs. Indicate your interest in applying on the application.
The one-time course fee is $100. Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and meals. Scholarships may be available for members of the 2025 CTO Cohort who have financial needs. Indicate your interest in applying on the application.
Time Commitment and Schedule
Participants will complete 54 hours of in-person professional learning over a 9-month period (September - June). They should be prepared to attend ALET’s three conferences and the additional annual meeting dates as shown below.
2026 Cohort Tentative Schedule
1. CTO Roles & Responsibilities
Sunday, September 21st, 2025 - Orange Beach Fall Conference
2. Law
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Sunday, September 21st, 2025 - Orange Beach Fall Conference
2. Law
Thursday, October 23, 2025
3. Ethics & Policies
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
4. Data Management & Governance
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - University of Montevallo, Montevallo
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - University of Montevallo, Montevallo
5. IT Management & Cybersecurity
TBD - adjacent to Winter Conference
6. Technology Planning and Budgeting
Monday, May 4, 2026 - TBD
7. Teaching and Learning
TBD - adjacent to Summer Conference
Recertification for CTO Graduates
All CTO graduates must have 12 hours of ALET-approved professional development each year to renew their CTO certification. Six of these hours must be in-person at ALET events.
All CTO graduates must have 12 hours of ALET-approved professional development each year to renew their CTO certification. Six of these hours must be in-person at ALET events.
Program History
The original AL-CTO program began in 2016. Kelli Lane, ALET's first Vice President of Professional Development, led its development, including meetings with Alabama State Department of Education EdTech leaders. However, participants should know that attaining CTO certification does not require school systems to change the graduates' job titles or pay.
In 2022, ALET partnered with University of Montevallo professors Dr. Jennifer Alexiou-Ray and Dr. Cassie Raulston to update the program. Both are long-time ALET members and graduates of the original CTO program. The updated program retains much of its former structure and content but requires an additional time investment and study. The new program, the Alabama Chief Technology Officer Academy, inducted its first cohort in the summer of 2022.
The original AL-CTO program began in 2016. Kelli Lane, ALET's first Vice President of Professional Development, led its development, including meetings with Alabama State Department of Education EdTech leaders. However, participants should know that attaining CTO certification does not require school systems to change the graduates' job titles or pay.
In 2022, ALET partnered with University of Montevallo professors Dr. Jennifer Alexiou-Ray and Dr. Cassie Raulston to update the program. Both are long-time ALET members and graduates of the original CTO program. The updated program retains much of its former structure and content but requires an additional time investment and study. The new program, the Alabama Chief Technology Officer Academy, inducted its first cohort in the summer of 2022.
CTO Academy Contacts
VP of Professional Learning – April Chamberlain - profdev@go-alet.org
Academy Coordinator - Dr. Jennifer Alexiou-Ray - jennifer.ray@go-alet.org
Academy Coordinator - Dr. Cassie Raulston - cassie.raulston@go-alet.org
VP of Professional Learning – April Chamberlain - profdev@go-alet.org
Academy Coordinator - Dr. Jennifer Alexiou-Ray - jennifer.ray@go-alet.org
Academy Coordinator - Dr. Cassie Raulston - cassie.raulston@go-alet.org