Instructional Support Services

Our Mission

The mission of the Instruction Support Services team is to provide quality digital resources, professional learning, and instructional support for teachers in the Hall County School District.

Who We Are

Content Specialists

Hall County Content Specialists develop and manage digitally-enhanced curriculum on Canvas, the district’s learning management system. They collaborate to manage HCSD Curriculum Communities to ensure teachers throughout the district have adequate resources to effectively implement blended learning strategies that incorporate effective pedagogy. In addition to building content, the specialists are also available to provide relevant professional learning to build capacity and help teachers and school leaders use data-driven and evidence-based teaching practices to increase student engagement and achievement.

Instructional and Blended Learning Support

Digital Convergence works with each school’s Blended Learning Support Team (BLaST) and instructional team to support the implementation and integration of blended learning strategies. This includes targeted professional learning, product trainings, and support for establishing processes that will help sustain growth and innovative instructional practices.

Meet the Team

Content Specialists

Laney Park

Laney Park

(Instructional Technology Specialist)

Laney Park began her teaching career in 2009 and for 9 years she taught 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades. She was a K-5 Content Specialist for 6 years and became a K-12 Digital Convergence Specialist in 2024. She has earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia and an Education Specialist degree in Instructional Technology with K-12 Library Media certification from Valdosta State University. She is currently working on her Doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Instructional Technology focus. Additionally, she holds Math, Reading, Gifted, Science, ESOL and Coaching endorsements. In her current role, Laney strives to be a connection between the Technology department and the Teaching and Learning department to support teachers, instruction, and student achievement.

Courtney Peck

Courtney Peck

(Middle School ELA Specialist)

Courtney has been a middle grades ELA educator since 2013. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Middle Grades Education from North Georgia College & State University. Courtney has also earned her Master’s, Specialist, and Doctorate degrees in Curriculum & Instruction from Piedmont University. She also holds her ESOL and Gifted Endorsements and has completed both of Hall County’s Growing Teacher Leaders and Growing Administrator Leaders programs. Courtney served as the Middle Grades ELA Content Specialist as a contracted position in 2021-2022, and she is excited to be serving as a full-time Content Specialist starting in the 2022-2023 school year. In her personal life, Courtney is married to a high school educator and coach, Andrew, and they have two sons, Mason and Luke. She is most excited to serve our students of Hall County on a larger scale as she supports our amazing ELA teachers with meaningful and relevant content and curriculum.

Emily Lott

Emily Lott

(High School ELA Specialist)

Emily joined the Hall County School district in 2013 as a teacher at Chestatee High School. She holds a bachelor’s in Literature and Language, where she spent her final year in residence at the University of Oxford, completing her senior-level studies in the rigorous tutorial system. Upon returning to the States, Emily earned her Master in the Arts of Teaching degree at Columbus State University. Most recently, Emily earned her doctorate from Vanderbilt University in which she focused on Leadership and Learning in Organizations. During her career in Hall County, Emily has served as a teacher, department head, lead assessment writer and editor, content specialist, and contractor. She currently serves as the High School English Language Arts Content Specialist. Her favorite part of this position is the opportunity to work alongside teachers as they leverage theory and application in ways that support the authentic engagement of all students in the learning environment. When not engaged with HCSD, Emily enjoys working to bridge the gap between secondary and post-secondary schools through effective teaching practices, often working pro bono to support local universities and their educators.

Delana Crandall

Delana Crandall

(Middle School Math Specialist)

Bio Coming Soon.

Kim Keough

Kim Keough

(High School Math Specialist)

Kim has been an educator since 2007. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Middle Grades Education from the University of Georgia. She is certified in mathematics grades 4th-12th and has a gifted endorsement. She taught high school math for 14 years and was a math department chair for 5 of those years. She taught courses including Algebra, Algebra Strategies, Geometry, Geometry Strategies, Accelerated Algebra, Accelerated Geometry, and Accelerated Precalculus. For the past 3 years, she taught 8th grade math, Accelerated Algebra, Algebra and Enhanced Algebra: Concepts and Connections to 8th grade students at North Hall Middle School. In her personal life, Kim is married to a firefighter/medic, Chad, and they have a son, Tucker and a daughter, Ava. In her new role as High School Math Content Specialist, she looks forward to supporting Hall County teachers as they implement the new standards and state learning plans, as well as creating content which is challenging, engaging and classroom ready.

Pam Blackwell

Pam Blackwell

(K-5 Math Professional Learning Specialist)

Pam began her teaching career in 2006. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood from the University of North Georgia. In 2016, she completed the Hall County Teacher Leader Program. She also holds endorsements in Reading, Gifted Education, ESOL, and Instructional Coaching. In her current role, Pam supports schools and grade-level teams across the district with Tier 1 mathematics instruction in kindergarten through fifth grade. Her work centers on instructional planning, fostering student engagement through mathematical discourse, and using formative assessment and feedback to deepen students’ understanding of mathematical concepts.

Kacie Landers

Kacie Landers

(K-5 Literacy Literacy Professional Learning Specialist)

Kacie began her educational career in 2002, working as a paraprofessional while completing her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Middle Grades Mathematics from the University of North Georgia, further strengthening her foundation in both literacy and mathematics.

Throughout her career, Kacie has pursued numerous opportunities for professional growth. She completed the Hall County Growing Administrative Leaders program and earned multiple endorsements, including Gifted, ESOL, and Coaching. She has also participated in specialized professional learning, such as Growing Readers Training and CLASE Instructional Conversation Training, to deepen her understanding of effective instructional practices.

Kacie is committed to strengthening literacy across the county by providing support that empowers teachers and helps students grow as confident readers and writers. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of growth and continuous improvement that benefits both educators and the students they serve.

Dr. Mandy Dale

Dr. Mandy Dale

(Director of Instructional Support)

"I am honored to join the Hall County School District and collaborate with instructional leaders and teachers throughout the district. My goal is to building strong relationships, support effective teaching and learning practices, and work together to create meaningful opportunities for success for all students."

Throughout her career in education, Dr. Dale has served in a variety of leadership roles focused on instructional improvement, assessment, and student achievement. Prior to her current role with Banks County Schools as Director of School Improvement and Assessment, Dr. Dale also served the district as Director of Federal Programs and Assessment. In those leadership roles, she supported students and schools across grades K-12 through initiatives focused on school improvement, assessment, instructional support, and student achievement. Before serving at the district level, Dr. Dale was principal of Banks County Primary School and assistant principal at both Lula Elementary and Oakwood Elementary School. She also held several instructional leadership positions at Sugar Hill Elementary School, including instructional coach, early intervention program teacher, department chair, and kindergarten teacher.

Connect With Us!

HCSD Digital Follow 524 230

Twitter account for the HCSD Digital Convergence Team. Our mission is to provide quality digital resources for students & staff of the Hall County School Dist.

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Contact us

Laney Park (Digital Convergence Specialist)  laney.park@hallco.org

Michelle Palmer (K-5 Literacy Professional Learning Specialist)  michelle.palmer@hallco.org

Pam Blackwell (K-5 Math Professional Learning Specialist)  pamela.blackwell@hallco.org

Courtney Peck (6-8 ELA Specialist)  courtney.peck@hallco.org

Kim Singleton (6-8 Math Specialist)  kimberly.singleton@hallco.org

Emily Lott (9-12 ELA Specialist)  emily.lott@hallco.org

Kim Keough (9-12 Math Specialist)  kim.keough@hallco.org

Eddie Millwood (Director of Digital Convergence)  eddie.millwood@hallco.org 

Modern Teacher. (2016, May). Digital convergence: The path toward the K-12 modern learning environment.https://www.esc12.net/upload/page/0125/Digital-Convergence-Whitepaper.pdf

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