Latest news with #ChrisHull
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Otus Announces Winners of the 2025 Otus Excellence Awards for Their Impact on Student Learning and Growth
Otus Announces Winners of the 2025 Otus Excellence Awards for Their Impact on Student Learning and Growth Chicago, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otus, the leading K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution, today announced the winners of the inaugural Otus Excellence Awards, which recognize and celebrate outstanding educators and districts in the Otus community. The 10 winners in five categories were selected for their impact on student learning and growth through innovation, engagement, and data-driven practices. 'The Otus Excellence Awards are all about honoring the educators who are making a real difference for students,' said Chris Hull, Otus President and Co-Founder. 'These winners exemplify what is possible when passion meets purpose—using data not just to inform, but to inspire. We are proud to support their work, celebrate their impact, and continue building a community of educators who are committed to making a difference together.' More than 200 nominations were submitted from across the U.S. Two winners were selected in each of the following five categories: Otus Impact Award Recognizing a district that has embraced Otus to drive meaningful student growth, collaboration, and innovation across schools. Gold - Wilmot Union High School, Wisconsin Silver - Hamilton County School District, Florida The Data DriverRecognizing a leader who turns data into action—supporting teams, identifying trends, and driving student success with insight and clarity. Gold - Craig Velleux, All Data & Math Coach/Interventionist; Salem School District, Wisconsin Silver - Patrick Dawson, Director of Innovation, Teaching, and Learning; Winnetka School District 36, Illinois The PD Powerhouse Recognizing an educator who supports others in mastering Otus through training, modeling, and championing professional growth. Gold - Lisa Kosin, Teacher; Community Unit School District 201, Illinois Silver - Perla DeLaCruz, Teacher; Hemet Unified School District, California The Everyday Advocate Recognizing a classroom educator who consistently leverages Otus to support students, personalize learning, and model best practices for their peers. Gold - Suzanne Hill, Teacher; Nampa School District, Idaho Silver - John Camp, Math Head of Teaching & Learning; New England Innovation Academy, Massachusetts Rookie of the Year Recognizing a new Otus user who demonstrated enthusiasm and a data-driven mindset, quickly becoming a confident and impactful user. Gold - Misty Anderson, Math School Improvement Specialist; Bulloch County School District, Georgia Silver - Jeana Craft, Information Technology Coordinator; Mattoon Community Unit School District 2, Illinois 'As a former social studies teacher, I share these award-winning educators' passion for using data insights to transform classrooms,' said Hull. 'They demonstrate what we can achieve together when we provide tools to understand and support every learner and create equitable learning environments.' The Otus Excellence Awards winners receive: A trophy and certificate A donation to recipient's district in their honor Complimentary access to an Otus Onsite Day of professional development About Otus Otus, an award-winning edtech company, empowers educators to maximize student performance with a comprehensive K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution. Committed to student achievement and educational equity, Otus combines student data with powerful tools that provide educators, administrators, and families with the insights they need to make a difference. Built by teachers for teachers, Otus creates efficiencies in data management, assessment, and progress monitoring to help educators focus on what matters most—student success. Today, Otus partners with school districts nationwide to create informed, data-driven learning environments. Learn more at Attachment Otus Announces Winners of the 2025 Otus Excellence Awards for Their Impact on Student Learning and Growth CONTACT: Mike Peterson Otus 6513079251 in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Otus Wins Two 2025 SmartBrief Readers' Choice Awards for Excellence in EdTech
Otus Wins Two 2025 SmartBrief Readers' Choice Awards for Excellence in EdTech Chicago, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otus, the leading K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution, has been named a winner in two categories of the 2025 SmartBrief Readers' Choice Awards: Learning Management and Assessment & Data Analytics. The annual awards celebrate the edtech tools that are making a real impact in classrooms, and the recognition comes directly from educators who rely on these products every day. 'Winning these awards means a lot because it comes from the people we build Otus for – educators,' said Chris Hull, Co-Founder and President of Otus. 'Their feedback drives our product development, and their voice is at the center of everything we do. I am proud of our team, grateful to the districts who partner with us, and most of all, excited for the students who benefit when educators have the tools they need.' Otus was recognized in the Assessment & Data Analytics category for its ability to unify student data, assessments, and real-time reporting in one platform. Otus' prebuilt and customizable assessments, AI-powered question generator, and centralized dashboards help teachers and administrators identify trends, close gaps, and make informed decisions. In the Learning Management category, Otus stood out for bringing lessons, assessments, grading, and student progress tracking together in a single, easy-to-use interface. Teachers can differentiate instruction, track student goals, and give meaningful feedback, while families stay informed through real-time updates. About Otus Otus, an award-winning edtech company, empowers educators to maximize student performance with a comprehensive K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution. Committed to student achievement and educational equity, Otus combines student data with powerful tools that provide educators, administrators, and families with the insights they need to make a difference. Built by teachers for teachers, Otus creates efficiencies in data management, assessment, and progress monitoring to help educators focus on what matters most—student success. Today, Otus partners with school districts nationwide to create informed, data-driven learning environments. Learn more at Attachment Otus Wins Two 2025 SmartBrief Readers' Choice Awards for Excellence in EdTech CONTACT: Mike Peterson Otus 6513079251 in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Otus Launches AI Advisory Board to Bring Voices of K-12 Leaders to the Forefront of Innovation
CHICAGO, IL, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otus, the leading K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution, today announced the formation of the Otus AI Advisory Board, a dynamic group of education leaders dedicated to guiding the future of AI within Otus and across the K-12 education sector. Since its inception in January 2025, the advisory board has grown to include district administrators, school principals, teachers, and instructional technology specialists, collectively representing more than 20 districts across 11 states. The diverse makeup of the board includes representation from urban, suburban, and rural communities with varying socioeconomic statuses, reflecting Otus' ongoing commitment to the diverse needs of all school districts. 'AI holds incredible potential for K-12 education, but it's essential we get it right,' said Chris Hull, Co-Founder and President of Otus. 'Educators should have a seat at the table when it comes to shaping how AI is used in schools. By establishing our AI Advisory Board, we are creating a space to listen to and learn from educators—ensuring our innovations align with the real needs of those we serve.' The Otus AI Advisory Board meets monthly, providing valuable insights and feedback on AI-related initiatives and tools. A recent session illustrates the board's hands-on approach, where members submitted real-world AI challenges from their districts for peers to collaboratively problem-solve using a structured protocol. During this meeting, the board tackled the challenge of integrating AI tools in classrooms where teachers were initially resistant due to concerns about cheating. Suggestions from members included showcasing the relevance of AI to real-world careers, introducing AI tools with teacher-approved safeguards, and strategically using AI tools that emphasize creativity and student engagement. Otus team members coordinate the board's activities, bringing expertise in education technology, product development, and classroom instruction to facilitate meaningful discussions and actionable outcomes. Additionally, board members have exclusive opportunities to engage in resource-sharing and test new AI features, like Otus Insights, which is designed to support educators with everyday tasks and data analysis. 'Being part of the AI Advisory Board has really opened my eyes to how AI can support both teachers and students in meaningful ways,' said Caitlin Wlezien, Instructional Technology Coordinator for Wood Dale School District 7 in Illinois. ' It's been great connecting with other educators, sharing ideas, and finding new, creative ways to bring technology into the classroom.' Several board members also recently participated in Otus' webinar, ' Shaping the Future of AI in Education,' underscoring their collective commitment to furthering responsible AI use. About Otus Otus, an award-winning edtech company, empowers educators to maximize student performance with a comprehensive K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution. Committed to student achievement and educational equity, Otus combines student data with powerful tools that provide educators, administrators, and families with the insights they need to make a difference. Built by teachers for teachers, Otus creates efficiencies in data management, assessment, and progress monitoring to help educators focus on what matters most—student success. Today, Otus partners with school districts nationwide to create informed, data-driven learning environments. Learn more at Attachment Mike Peterson Otus 6513079251 [email protected]
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Worthing mum receives garden makeover for son
A single mother from West Sussex has received a garden makeover to allow her son to spend more time Royal Horticultural Society and BBC One's The One Show named Lisa Joseph, from Worthing, as the winner of the 2025 Pocket Garden Makeover Joseph received a coastal-themed garden makeover by designer and Garden Rescue presenter Chris said: "Her dedication to creating something special for her son, even in a small space, was incredibly inspiring." Ms Joseph said she entered the competition to transform her first-floor flat's outdoor space into an area where her son George, 14, could socialise, benefit from fresh air and do transformed garden includes an olive tree, raised bed, water feature and coastal-themed Joseph said: "I thought I'd have to wait 20 years to see it grow."That is just absolutely something else. It's a work of art."
Associated Press
30-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Otus Wins Gold Stevie® Award for Customer Service Department of the Year
CHICAGO, IL, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otus, a leading provider of K-12 student data and assessment solutions, has been awarded a prestigious Gold Stevie® Award in the category of Customer Service Department of the Year at the 2025 American Business Awards®. This recognition celebrates the company's unwavering commitment to supporting educators, students, and families through exceptional service and innovation. In addition to the Gold award, Otus also earned two Silver Stevie® Awards: one for Company of the Year – Computer Software – Medium Size, and another honoring Co-founder and President Chris Hull as Technology Executive of the Year. 'It is an incredible honor to be recognized, but the real win is knowing our work is making a difference for educators and students,' said Hull. 'As a former teacher, I know how difficult it can be to juggle everything that is asked of you. At Otus, we focus on building tools that save time, surface meaningful insights, and make student data easier to use—so teachers can focus on what matters most: helping kids grow.' The American Business Awards®, now in their 23rd year, are the premier business awards program in the United States, honoring outstanding performances in the workplace across a wide range of industries. The competition receives more than 12,000 nominations every year. Judges selected Otus for its outstanding 98.7% customer satisfaction with chat interactions, and exceptional 89% gross retention in 2024. They also praised the company's unique blend of technology and human touch, noting its strong focus on educator-led support, onboarding, data-driven product evolution, and professional development. 'We believe great support starts with understanding the realities educators face every day. Our Client Success team is largely made up of former teachers and school leaders, so we speak the same language. Whether it's during onboarding, training, or day-to-day communication, we're here to help districts feel confident and supported. This recognition is a reflection of how seriously we take that responsibility and energizes us to keep raising the bar,' said Phil Collins, Ed.D., Chief Customer Officer at Otus. Otus continues to make significant strides in simplifying teaching and learning by offering a unified platform that integrates assessment, data, and instruction—all in one place. Otus has supported over 1 million students nationwide by helping educators make data-informed decisions, monitor progress, and personalize learning. These honors reflect the company's growth, innovation, and steadfast commitment to helping school communities succeed. About Otus Otus, an award-winning edtech company, empowers educators to maximize student performance with a comprehensive K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution. Committed to student achievement and educational equity, Otus combines student data with powerful tools that provide educators, administrators, and families with the insights they need to make a difference. Built by teachers for teachers, Otus creates efficiencies in data management, assessment, and progress monitoring to help educators focus on what matters most—student success. Today, Otus partners with school districts nationwide to create informed, data-driven learning environments. Learn more at Stay connected with Otus on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Attachments Sarah Williamson SWPR 503-349-3548 [email protected]
