Dr. Paula Klonowski Leach is the new director of Longwood University’s Institute for Teaching through Technology and Innovative Practices (ITTIP), effective June 25.

Since 2011, Leach has been the STEM learning specialist at ITTIP, an educational outreach of Longwood that helps teachers incorporate technology into the classroom and disseminates research-based best practices in schools. She provides professional development to K-12 teachers, focusing on using emerging technologies in mathematics and science.

Before joining ITTIP, Leach was the state science coordinator for the Virginia Department of Education for eight years. She previously was division science coordinator, as well as a middle-school science and special education teacher, for the Powhatan County schools. A native of Lower Burrell, PA, near Pittsburgh, Leach is a graduate of Slippery Rock University and has master’s and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Leach will succeed Dr. Manorama Talaiver, ITTIP director since 2005, who is retiring.

Founded in 1999 and based in South Boston, ITTIP serves 35 school divisions in Central and Southside Virginia and, since 2007, has worked with students, many from low-income backgrounds, to explore careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In addition to its work in Virginia, ITTIP has provided professional development on location for teachers in Ghana, India, South Africa and New Zealand.