June 2025 - Lori Aden
How long have you been in education and what positions have you had?
I have been in education since 1985. I started at Region 6 ESC in Huntsville, Tx while working on my Bachelor’s Degree at Sam Houston State. I was a Keypuncher first (if you know, you know!) and then when that technology ended, I transitioned to a media assistant. I pulled filmstrips for school districts to be delivered via “Blue Streak”. We were so excited when video cassettes were introduced! I then worked as a secretary in the Adult Education department for several years. After graduating college, I started working for the prison system’s education department administering the GED test. Administering the GED test on Death Row one month after starting this position was a true test in learning to be brave! After a few years, I had the opportunity to take a position at one of the prison units as their Microcomputer Applications teacher. I taught in the prison system for both Windham ISD and Lee College for 12 years. I did a one year stint in Huntsville ISD and quickly learned that middle school was not my forte, so I went back to teaching in prison. 😀 After that, I taught at Sam Houston State University for a few years and then accepted a position as the Distance Learning Coordinator at Region 6 ESC. After working there for several years, I moved to Dallas to work at Region 10 ESC, where I work to this day. I run several programs: online learning, Reggie’s Robots, Discovery Education, Library Services, AI, Statutory Compliance, E-rate, and Instructional Materials.
What would you tell a person new to this job?
I would tell a new person in this job to “find your tribe.” Focusing specifically on the Instructional Materials aspect of my job, I have had to lean heavily on several people in the North Texas Textbook Coordinators’ Association. Since I don’t have the practical experience of the day-to-day workings of an Instructional Materials Coordinator at a district, I reach out to them with questions I receive from districts. They have always been so gracious to answer my questions. I also lean heavily on TEA’s help desk and IMCAT. The training I receive at the summer and winter conferences have been invaluable.
What is the most unexpected challenge you have faced in this role?
I think the most unexpected challenge I have faced goes back to my inexperience of the day-to-day knowledge of an IM Coordinator. As mentioned previously, I lean heavily on the folks at NTTCA and TEA, and I’ve learned to keep an FAQ document for everything that is shared with me. I get questions from folks at many districts in Region 10, so I always want to provide them with a speedy and accurate answer to their questions.
What is one skill you would love to learn and why?
One skill I would love to learn is a current computer programming language. I learned a few languages back in college, but as I near retirement age, I would love to learn a new language to possibly do some part-time work after I retire. I love to stay busy and keep challenging my brain to learn new things.
