Jordan Wissinger, Instructional Technology Coach for Hartford Public Schools, has been selected for the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF) Scholastic Fellows Program. Ms. Wissinger is one of 44 fellows chosen from around the world due to her enthusiastic commitment to students along with a desire to develop and refine new interest-driven learning opportunities that connect meaningful learning to play.
The NASEF Fellows program is known internationally for providing esports and educational leaders the opportunity to collaborate with a global community in developing unique pathways for young people to game and grow. Each fellow has the opportunity to design, develop, and implement esports clubs and career pathways that empower young people through their interests and passion around gaming and esports. As a NASEF Fellow, Ms. Wissinger will develop a scholastic esports program at HPS elementary schools, while continuing to support the current esports work at the middle and high school levels. Her program will become part of NASEF’s acclaimed Community Library, which is used by educators around the world.
Ms. Wissinger has been employed with Hartford Public Schools for more than 15 years. She began her career as an English teacher at Hartford Public High School where she gained respect among her colleagues by helping them navigate the Google digital landscape during the pandemic. During this time, she recognized the crucial role of technology in education. As her interests grew, Ms. Wissinger became certified as a Google Coach and Google Educator Level 1 and 2, showcasing her expertise for using Google technology in the classroom.
When the Technology Coach position opened at the district, Ms. Wissinger applied and worked tirelessly to teach herself new programs and tech. Now, she is leading a districtwide effort to re-engage students post-pandemic with a variety of technological programs, including esports. Ms. Wissinger believes that esports could be the key to re-igniting students’ passion for school, improving attendance and supporting social and emotional growth.
“For our students, esports offers a sanctuary—a place where they can find their voice, be seen, and experience a secure environment for learning and personal growth,” said Ms. Wissinger. “It not only brings students together but also elevates engagement, fostering a sense of community and enthusiasm in their educational journey, which in turn heightens learning across all disciplines."
“Jordan epitomizes what it means to be a lifelong learner,” said Dr. Joanna Ali, STEM Director at Hartford Public Schools. “In a very short time she has taken an idea and created a movement in our district. There’s no stopping the momentum. I can’t wait to see what she does next.”
In addition to being a NASEF Fellow, Ms. Wissinger has been a panelist for Generation Esports and a presenter for PlayVs.