12/10/2025 - Middleburg Heights, OH – Polaris Career Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Gonzalez as its new Director of Educational Technology and Innovation, effective January 1, 2026. With more than 16 years of combined experience in education and information technology, Gonzalez brings a dynamic blend of instructional expertise and technical leadership to this newly created role.

Gonzalez began her educational career in Avon, Ohio, serving for 10 years as an English Language Arts and technology teacher with Avon Local Schools. During her tenure, she implemented innovative technology-related courses, collaborated with colleagues to design data-driven curriculum across multiple language arts courses - work that contributed to improved ACT scores and AP English Literature exam results - and provided professional development to staff.

In 2019, she transitioned into the role of District Media Specialist, where she launched a districtwide makerspace initiative, developed a new digital citizenship curriculum, streamlined access to digital resources and coached teachers on STEAM and instructional technology integration.

Since 2023, Gonzalez has served as Avon Local Schools’ Director of Innovation and Technology. In this district-level leadership position, she oversaw all IT operations, including the comprehensive rebuild and modernization of the district’s network infrastructure. Her work resulted in increased operational efficiency and enhanced cybersecurity across the organization.

Gonzalez holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History of Art from The Ohio State University and a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Educational Technology from Baldwin Wallace University.

Polaris Superintendent Diane Xander expressed her enthusiasm for Gonzalez’s arrival, “Kelly is an educator at heart who brings passion, expertise and a collaborative spirit to everything she does. Her proven ability to lead innovation and support instructional excellence will be a tremendous asset to Polaris.”

In her new role, Gonzalez will oversee all Polaris IT functions and drive technology innovation to support teaching, learning and operations across the district.

For more information, contact Doug Miller at 440.891.7609 or dmiller@polaris.edu.

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