Meet the Team
The Connected Falkirk programme is being developed and supported by a team of Falkirk educators, all of whom have a track record of embedding digital technologies to support and improve learning. They aren’t IT specialists – they are creative teachers with experience of successful digital pedagogy in a school.
Stuart Lennie
After appearing as a child model on the front page of a major Sunday magazine, glamour and stardom awaited me. Unfortunately, the genes kicked in, reality hit hard, and as you’ll see from the profile picture, that was never going to be a career option.
When I visit schools, most people seem to think I’m a Computing teacher, but I’m actually a Technical teacher to trade.
After graduating from Glasgow University, I spent some time teaching in an inner-city London school, before returning home to teach in Paisley. From there, I moved to Falkirk as an ICT Development Officer, then ICT Programme Manager, and now proud to lead this great team as Connected Falkirk Manager.
I went to Stirling University on a part-time basis four years ago, and graduated with my Masters degree few years ago. Doing that, whilst supporting a young family, was by far the most challenging thing I have ever done, but I am glad I did it. Having said that, both of my children pointed out that they had graduated from nursery, and I shouldn’t see myself as anything special.
I’m passionate about the use of technology to support learning. It shouldn’t be about the shiny new technology, it should be about the technology supporting good teaching.
We are all on this journey together, so I look forward to working with you and your learners!
Mari-Jane Wilcox
After studying languages and secondary teaching at university, I spent time as a language assistant near Barcelona which led to my obsession of all things Catalan – food, culture and language. While based in a primary school during that period, I discovered that primary education was the job for me. I have been a primary school teacher in the council from 2015, starting in Carronshore Primary and later Kinneil Primary.
Throughout my career, I have always had a strong passion for supporting pupils with Additional Support Needs. For the past three years, I have worked in the Additional Support Centre at Denny High School, further deepening my experience in this area.
My enthusiasm for digital technology has always been a constant thread throughout my teaching journey (stemming from a part time job selling mobile phones at the age of 20!) and this enthusiasm has grown stronger through my role on the original Connected Falkirk Sprint Team from 2020-2022.
Outside of education, I am an active volunteer with Girlguiding Scotland. I have held my leadership qualification for 18 years and currently serve as the County Commissioner for Girlguiding Forth Valley. I frequently draw on the digital skills developed through my work in education to support and streamline my responsibilities within Girlguiding.
My real claim to fame came in 2021 when a unique opportunity through Girlguiding led to my involvement in filming an episode of The Great British Dig: History in Your Garden, where I had the chance to appear on screen alongside Hugh Dennis. Yes – I am available for autographs.
I currently hold Apple Professional Learning Specialist and Apple Learning Coach status alongside being an Apple Teacher, Google Level 1 and Level 2 Educator and Microsoft Innovative Educator and Trainer. In my current role as Education Support Officer for the Connected Falkirk Team I support teachers and learners from across Falkirk to transform their classrooms and learning using technology. I also project manage the authority’s Connected Learning programme, coordinating our virtual senior phase subject offering and lead and support on STEM learning across all of our education establishments.
Kerry Abercrombie
After coming to the stark realisation that there was little prosperity in a career as a magician’s assistant, I returned to university to study English, Film & Media and Professional Education. I thought I’d become an English teacher with a bit of Media on the side but over the course of my career I have become predominantly a Media teacher who also teaches English. An important distinction, I’m sure you’ll agree!
As a film graduate (with a short student radio career behind me) the use of digital technology has always been an important part of my personal and professional interests. From the early days of my teaching career I have been using iPads and other devices in class, as well as various softwares and online platforms, to enhance learning experiences for young people. Whether it’s using Scribus and Glow Blogs to run a school newspaper or using Garageband and the Podcast app to help pupils create and publish their Film Club podcast, I am always looking for new ways to make the most of digital tools both in and out of the classroom. I strongly believe that digital literacy is important for our young people, as are the essential skills for life and work that are practiced through the use of digital tools. Creativity, collaboration, critical thinking – to name but a few!
In 2022 I completed my Masters in Education Leadership at the University of Stirling with a final project taking a sociomaterialist look at creativity and digital devices in the primary school setting. Being the black sheep Secondary teacher in a family of Early Years practitioners I have a particular interest in the journey from 3-18 and I am proud to work with our littlest learners when it comes to learning with and through digital technologies.
Outside the realm of Falkirk Council I am an education ambassador for film education charity Into Film. I am both a bookworm and bibliophile with more than slightly geeky tendencies (level ten half-elf bard, thank you very much) who loves to travel and experience new cultures.
I currently hold Apple Professional Learning Specialist and Apple Distinguished Educator status as well as being an Apple Teacher, MIE, Adobe Creative Educator alongside invovlement in many other digital programs for teachers. I was part of the initial Connected Falkirk Sprint Team and I am delighted to continue to be part of Connected Falkirk in my role as Curriculum Development Officer – Digital Learning for Falkirk Council. As a Falkirk lass born and bred it is my absolute privilege to continue working with pupils and educators on this exciting transformational digital learning journey.
Laurie Lee Moodie
Laurie Lee is our Systems Support for Connected Falkirk. She is the friendly face you’ll see in and around schools picking up and dropping off devices.
Previous Team Members
2022-2025
2020-2022
