Courtney Beard is currently the District Test Coordinator and Special Education Director for Pontotoc City Schools in Pontotoc, MS. She has been a classroom teacher for four and a half years as a special education teacher and a technology teacher. Mrs. Beard has also served as lead teacher for the district’s technology team, designed technology courses, and conducted professional development for teachers on testing software. She is certified in advanced Blackboard® and online learning and holds Internet and Computing Core and Master of Teaching Economics Certifications. She earned a Master’s of Science in Instructional Technology from Mississippi State University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development at Mississippi State University.