Published: January 15, 1997

The Beginner

Kingman, Ariz.

Sharon Hackley is a one-woman whirlwind of activity. The 58-year-old Kingman, Ariz., 6th grade teacher has co-authored a book on plants of the Southwest, published award-winning photos of African wildlife, and helped launch a nonprofit corporation to distribute a soil curriculum she created. After reeling off a list of her many prizes, grants, and accomplishments, she also mentions that she plays bass clarinet in two orchestras. So it comes as no surprise to learn that Hackley recently took on a new challenge: She plunged into educational technology.

It certainly wasn't something Hackley had to do. She could have just cruised into retirement. But to hear Hackley tell it, technology jump-started a stagnating career. She was suffering from burnout and thinking about stepping out of the classroom when the opportunity came...