IMSA Announces New Illinois Virtual High School Director
For Immediate Release, August 2006
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at
(630) 907-5033
IVHS Director
AURORA — The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) announces Pete Knopf as the new Director of the Illinois Virtual High School (IVHS) which provides thousands of high school and middle school students with “anytime, anyplace” access to 21st century learning opportunities.
A lifelong educator, professional developer and administrator, Knopf was most recently the Director of Instructional Technology and Media for the Georgia Department of Education, which included the founding of the Georgia Virtual School. Knopf said he looks forward to helping IVHS lead the explosion of elearning on the national and international scenes.
“Every year more and more Illinois students, parents and schools are taking advantage of the power and flexibility of IVHS-provided opportunities for student-centered learning,” Knopf said. “IMSA has one of the largest and most innovative online programs in the nation and I am proud to be serving on the team.”
IMSA was a founding partner of the Illinois Virtual High School (IVHS) and manages and administers the program on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The IVHS is proving to be an excellent conduit and advocate for providing equity and access to quality educational opportunities for Illinois teachers.
Knopf received his B.S. and M.S. in Education from Illinois State University and taught English Language Arts and Spanish for 26 years in Peoria, Illinois. After leaving the classroom, he went on to become the Director of the Area 3 Learning Technology Center for the Illinois State Board of Education.
Under his leadership, ISBE staff brought both technology resources and instructional innovation to central and western Illinois classrooms.
Knopf later worked in the states of Washington and Indiana helping to lead education technology initiatives focused on innovating k-12 education through the use of leading edge, web-based teaching and learning tools. Throughout his career, he has made many presentations about the role of education technologies and digital content in a student-centered, standards-based world.
The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program, and it serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry. IMSA also advances education through research, groundbreaking ventures and strategic partnerships. (www.imsa.edu)