How do schools make new technology actually stick? Discover how teachers drive successful EdTech adoption and long-term instructional change.

Rolling out new technology is easy — making it stick is the real challenge. In this episode of Teach Your Way with BenQ, host Carly Burton-Sallay sits down with Elaine Stiefel, Director of Instructional Technology at West Ottawa Public Schools, to unpack what truly determines EdTech success. Drawing from a district-wide rollout of 500 interactive displays, Elaine explains why people — not products — drive long-term adoption.

From building teacher buy-in and addressing fear of change to activating influential “super users” on every campus, this conversation explores how peer-to-peer learning transforms confidence, engagement, and instructional practice. Elaine shares practical strategies for identifying teacher influencers, supporting growth mindsets, and scaling adoption without overwhelming central IT teams.

If your district is planning a major technology investment — or struggling to get teachers fully on board — this episode delivers actionable insights on creating a culture where technology enhances learning, not complicates it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How teacher buy-in determines whether new technology succeeds or fails

✅ Why peer influencers matter more than traditional tech training sessions

✅ How to identify and empower “super users” across a district

✅ Strategies for reducing fear and resistance to new classroom technology

✅ What real signs of long-term EdTech adoption look like in classrooms

👉 Try these strategies in your classroom today! Visit BenQ Education Solutions to explore interactive panels, guides, and training resources.

https://www.benq.com/en-us/education.html

Key Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to Teach Your Way with BenQ

00:48 Why people, not products, determine EdTech success

02:00 Teacher buy-in and the role of project management

03:31 Why great technology struggles after rollout

05:09 Who really drives adoption in classrooms

07:00 Activating campus-based teacher superstars

09:00 Growth mindset vs. technical skill

10:00 Building peer-to-peer learning cultures

13:51 What it looks like when education technology truly sticks

16:25 The first step every tech rollout should take

18:00 Final advice for scaling EdTech adoption

Key Takeaways:

💎 Teacher influencers are the strongest drivers of EdTech adoption

💎 Growth mindset matters more than technical expertise

💎 Peer-to-peer support builds confidence faster than formal training

💎 Long-term success shows up as student-centered instruction, not tool usage

Quotes

“When you walk into our buildings, you don’t see teachers centered on the tech—you see students centered on learning. Technology should enhance instruction, not replace it. If students are collaborating, problem-solving, and engaged, that’s how you know it’s sticking.”

Elaine Stiefel – Director of Instructional Technology, West Ottawa Public Schools

Resources & Mentions:

1. Learn more at BenQ Education Solutions: https://www.benq.com/en-us/education.html
2. Explore BenQ Academy for video tutorials and step-by-step training: https://academy.benq.com/en-us/index.html