Meet Chanel

Chanel Alford is an award-winning educator and educational technology leader from Richmond, Virginia. A graduate of Old Dominion University, she began her career as a middle and high school Marketing teacher, spending 12 years in the classroom. During her teaching career, Chanel was twice named the citywide Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year in recognition of her excellence in teaching and commitment to student success. She later transitioned from the classroom into instructional technology leadership.

Chanel currently serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Emerging Technologies Specialist for Prince William County Schools, where she supports Business and Information Technology educators and helps advance the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies across CTE programs. Previously, she served as Coordinator of Instructional Software and Online Learning for Spotsylvania County Public Schools. She also spent seven years as a Technology Integration Specialist with Alexandria City Public Schools, where she coached educators in blended learning, co-developed the division’s artificial intelligence guidelines, and led professional learning initiatives across the school division.

A Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) and Google Certified Trainer, Chanel is a former member of the Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) Board of Directors and a former CoSN Virginia Chapter Representative. She is a two-time CoSN Volunteer Hall of Fame honoree (2025 and 2026) and received the 2019 CoSN NextGen Emerging EdTech Leader National Award. Chanel has presented at conferences nationwide, sharing her expertise in educational technology, emerging technologies, digital learning, and innovative instructional practices. Her commitment to expanding opportunities in technology is also reflected in a cybersecurity scholarship established in her name through her internship with CySecSol, LLC.

Chanel holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational and Technical Studies from Old Dominion University, a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in Instructional Design Leadership and has reached All But Dissertation (ABD) status.

When she’s not helping shape the future of education and technology, Chanel enjoys reading, writing, deejaying, volunteering, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.