Stephanie Aluizo Giarratano leads districtwide edtech and responsible AI training at Lamar CISD

Stephanie Aluizo Giarratano is using a districtwide role in Lamar Consolidated ISD to train, mentor, and support elementary computer lab paraprofessionals while pushing educational technology, digital literacy, and responsible AI. Her rise from Pre-K paraprofessional to recognized edtech leader underscores how professional learning and mentorship can reshape classroom practice and student opportunities.

Why it matters: - Stephanie Aluizo Giarratano is helping Lamar Consolidated ISD scale digital learning support across elementary campuses. - Her work focuses on training paraprofessionals, building educator confidence, and introducing students to creative technology and responsible AI. - The role highlights how non-administrative staff can drive districtwide innovation in classrooms.

What happened: - Giarratano serves as Computer Lab Paraprofessional at Terrell Elementary and District Computer Lab Team Lead for Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. - In that districtwide role, she supports computer lab paraprofessionals across all Lamar CISD elementary campuses. - She develops training plans, provides mentorship, leads professional learning, and promotes technology integration. - She specializes in educational technology, digital literacy, responsible AI, Adobe Express, and AI tools for teachers. - She began her education career as a Pre-K paraprofessional and later moved into educational technology leadership. - Influential Women profiled Giarratano and highlighted her as a leader in educational technology and responsible AI innovation.

The details: - Giarratano earned an Associate of Arts in Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, from Wharton County Junior College. - She is completing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching through Western Governors University. - Her certifications include Book Creator Certified Author, Basic Principles of Design, Adobe Lightning Learning courses on graphic organizers, sketchnoting, and visible thinking routines, MagicSchool Foundational and Intermediate AI Certification Courses, Adobe Creative Educator live learning, and the course Classrooms, Community, and Creativity. - She was the first educator in Lamar CISD named an Adobe ACE Innovator. - She has also been recognized as a MagicSchool AI Pioneer, MagicSchool AI Ambassador, Knowt Knight Ambassador, and Aqua by Adobe Crew Member. - At Terrell Elementary, she has been named Staff Member of the Month and has twice received Support Staff Member of the Year honors. - Her work has brought her five awards in six years in education. - She founded the first Adobe Leadership Club in Lamar CISD. - The club is among the earliest elementary Adobe Leadership Clubs in the country. - Students in the club built creativity, leadership, collaboration, communication, and responsible AI skills. - The program helped students earn recognition as Adobe Student Ambassadors. - Giarratano co-hosts the podcast Off Campus with Jenn & G with Jennifer Russell. - The podcast covers education, parenting, band life, personal growth, and family life. - She also volunteers with the Gene Tomas High School Band Boosters on the Sponsorship Committee, where she helps build community partnerships and secure sponsorships. - She credits her children, faith, husband, family, friends, teammates, and Koala family for supporting her path. - She says her career has been shaped by a willingness to say yes to opportunities, even when they felt intimidating.

Between the lines: - Giarratano’s story reflects a broader shift in schools toward staff-led technology coaching and peer mentorship. - Her emphasis on AI, certifications, and creative tools suggests that educators increasingly need continuous upskilling to keep pace with classroom technology. - Her advocacy for paraprofessionals also points to a staffing group that often carries major student-support responsibilities without matching pay. - The Adobe Leadership Club shows how elementary schools can introduce leadership and AI concepts earlier than many districts have traditionally done.

What's next: - Giarratano says adaptability, lifelong learning, and professional growth will remain essential as budgets, campus structures, technology, and priorities continue to change. - She plans to keep mentoring paraprofessionals, supporting educators, and sharing best practices across the district and beyond. - Her advice to young women entering education and edtech is to keep learning, take chances, and not give up after rejection. - She sees continued expansion of technology and artificial intelligence in schools as an opportunity for educators who stay curious and flexible.

The bottom line: - Giarratano’s path from Pre-K paraprofessional to districtwide edtech leader shows how classroom experience, continuous learning, and service can create real influence across an entire school system.