As you may have already figured out, I am the Director of Fisher Technologies Inc, or lesliefisher.com. I specialize in K-12 Educational Technology conference and event presentation services as well as on site and online professional development.
In a presentation with me and wondering more about me? Wondering if I might be the Leslie Fisher you went to High School with? How nice!
I am a company of one, Fisher Technologies Inc. or lesliefisher.com. I specialize in K-12 Educational Technology conferences, event presentation services, and on-site and online professional development.
I fell into starting my own company. I was at Apple Computer for five years as a K-12 Senior Systems Engineer. I had 1/3 of Los Angeles as my territory based out of the Irvine office. Apple hit some tough times in 1997, and I was let go. I am still surprised they chose to let me go, but it all worked out wonderfully in the end.
At Apple, I worked closely with K-12 educators and Apple corporate on product information and direction. I was at Apple when the internet took off, and I was smitten. I am a huge efficiency fan and saw the web as a vehicle for that.
When I was let go, I emailed my customer base, simply saying goodbye and giving them my personal information in case they wanted to do lunch, etc. Within an hour of sending the email, my phone rang with job offers in web development, training, and more. Some even said tell me what you want to do, and I will see if I can make it work. I created FTI and went to work for three different school districts providing web development services.
I then decided to add conference presentations to my company. Well, I fell into that as well. Someone who was supposed to present at a conference was sick, and I went from Attendee to Presenter. The coordinator knew me from my days at Apple. I did some conference work for them, and word of mouth and referrals now has conference presenting and professional development as my company's core. I present at close to 30 - 40 conferences annually and offer on-site professional development. United Airlines knows me well.
Even in college, I was not a geek. I was a music major. I did not know what I wanted to do for a profession. I was a mean musician. I played flute and piccolo all through elementary, middle, and high school in Southern California. I went to the first California Magnet School, USC 32nd Street Elementary. It is simple to explain why I went to USC; they engaged me when I was young!
I started at USC as a music major. While interning at a recording studio in my Junior year, I watched as a Macintosh computer was used to run time code for a string section. I wanted to know more about this computer and its role in music. I bought a 300-baud modem and dived into the world of BBSs, looking for music resources. I fell in love with the Macintosh and learning online so much that I decided to change my major, seeing I wanted to spend the rest of my life as geeky as possible. I switched to the USC Marshall School of Business and graduated with a BS in Marketing in 1990.
I struggled all through school. I read quite slowly, except for reading music. I constantly fell behind but never wanted to admit it. Content would confuse me, and I would get frustrated and lose interest. Only when the iPhone was released did I realize how much I enjoyed learning. I then discovered the best methods and tools to do so personally. Mobile technology and the variety of apps have enabled me to research more effectively and engage me in a way customized for my brain matter. It is one of the reasons I love presenting so much. One item can make such a difference to one person, and when that person is a teacher or a teacher with a struggling student? It's awesome to have an impact on them.
If you wonder if I am your childhood Leslie Fisher, I am probably not. My maiden name is Leslie Goldsmith. Fisher is simply the only leftover from a marriage that ended in 2000. I grew up mainly in Southern California and spent a few years of High School in Vermont.
And my slight accent that most people cannot place? A product of being born in Bucks County, PA, in June of 1967.
I kid about my current life: work hard, play hard, nap hard. I am lucky to surround myself with a wonderful mom (pops said goodbye to us in December 2016) and a wonderful group of friends. Many I have met while presenting in education. If I am not on the road, there is a good chance you will find me drinking wine with friends, beating the heck out of a little white golf ball, and always wanting to educate and, more importantly, learn in almost everything I do.
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Leslie, I have been to many presentations and sessions recently, and I cannot remember someone like you who was so engaging and full of useful information that I could share with teachers right away. You shared so much at the right pace, and I wished it was three times longer (or more!!!). I immediately started looking for resource videos of you on YouTube that I could continue learning from you. Thank you for this wonderful presentation, for me, it was the best part of being at NYSCATE 2023!
When I go to a conference I want to be shown useful items I can use. I don’t want to be lead down black holes of minutiae. Leslie gives me so many things I can use and integrate into my life and the lives of the teachers and students I work with in a manner that keeps me engaged and eager for more.
I have been to many of the same conferences as Leslie and attended many of her sessions…always informative, entertaining and practical. Teachers are able to come away with ideas and tools they can easily put to use in their school setting.
I have had the privilege to be positively impacted by the knowledge & sharing from Leslie Fisher for 20+ years! She is personable, informative, current, & authentic! I can guarantee that any time you take to learn from Leslie will be quality time!
I've been in education for 14 years and throughout that time have attended many, many professional development opportunities. Leslie Fisher by far delivers the best sessions and webinars. Even if it's a topic I know well, I am always able to leave with something useful from her presentations. Plus, Leslie is a great model on how to deliver a presentation. I've taken many ideas from Leslie for training that I present. When you learn with Leslie, it's going to be a fun time, and WORTH your time. Any time spent with Leslie is time well spent.
This was a great introduction to how AI can assist an educator!!! I’ve heard of AI technology, but had never seen it in action or realized we are using it everyday!
Many years ago, I was introduced to Leslie Fisher at ITEC in Des Moines, IA. Her energy, humor, knowledge, and presentation style inspired me! When teaching technology classes at my middle school, I used the content I learned from Leslie, and tried to add in a bit of her energetic, engaging presentation style. The kids loved it! Now, as a tech integrationist and coach, I try to keep abreast of the latest trends through Leslie's posts and webinars. I also try to incorporate the Leslie style into my presentations and interactions with the staff. My goal...see one of Leslie's presentations in person again!
Interactive, innovative & expert on her field, the most entertaining yet so much to learn from Leslie.
Attending one of Leslie’s sessions is like reconnecting with an old friend with a wealth of knowledge. Leslie is truly one of the best presenters and always packs a room. Her light-hearted demeanor while delivering cutting-edge and meaningful content is truly the BEST! Thank you, Leslie, for being you!
I have been "stalking" Leslie for years at tech conferences. Seeing her present as many times as I have might make some people might think the information she shares becomes stale, but I can attest...It never gets old! When I was part of our state technology organization's board (KySTE), we hired her as the keynote for our annual conference. So many Kentucky educators were amazed at what Leslie shared. I highly recommend Leslie as a presenter - whether keynote, session, or booth. She's amazing!!
I met Leslie at LACUE and was able to attend one of her sessions on gadgets! She was so educationally entertaining that I really paid attention and learned a lot of new things I could share with the staff at my school! Every year after that, I looked for Leslie's sessions to attend! I learned about photography and the use of photoshop in one of her sessions! She is just so smart about so many things in the technology field!
I have had the pleasure of enjoying, learning, laughing, and growing professionally in every presentation/webinar of Leslie’s I have attended. Six years ago at the MACUL Conference was where I first attended one of Leslie’s presentations. It was that first presentation, Gadgets, that has kept me coming back for more!! Leslie is the person you can count on to make you feel like you matter as an educator! She shares so much insight and valuable information in all of her presentations and webinars. Leslie provides slides as reference material but mostly demonstrates and gives examples/ideas during her webinars/presentations. I just wish PD time/days in our district could be as entertaining and fun as all of Leslie’s presentations and webinars are! She has true compassion for educators and sharing her knowledge/wisdom with her audience. Thank you, Leslie, for your continued support of educators and for providing us with ever-changing technology information in a fun, entertaining manner. I look forward to future presentations/webinars.
Leslie is a ball of energy! You cannot find another presenter that will hold the attention if the audience, generate laughs, and educate. She bends and sways with the vibe of the audience. Looking tired? She will rev it up. Looking bored? Watch out for flying swag! I have watched her present at national conferences and my institution has hired her for professional development. She never disappoints!
Every time I get the latest webinar announcement from Leslie, I send it around to a bunch of friends and post it on Facebook. One of Leslie's webinars on Screen Pal literally saved a colleague's Ph.D. project. Leslie's Canva webinar led to the video my school uses to market our Spanish program. Leslie's webinars are fun, fast, and full of information that I end up using, even when I think there's no chance. I appreciate so much that the recordings are free for an entire week so that if I can't attend, I can still be part of the fun. Getting the slides at the end of the week reminds me to keep experimenting with the new tools. Thank you for everything you do for teachers, Leslie!
Leslie Fisher makes learning about technology fun and painless. Her webinars are ALWAYS educational! The PowerPoint slides included are like handbooks. Leslie understands the demands made on teachers and adapts her content to present what is most useful and how to use it the next day.
Leslie works tirelessly to help the education community. She does all the research and hard work and then shares it in her webinars, at conferences, and on social media sites. She delivers it in such a manner that you always leave with a smile and excited to try whatever she has just shared. Her membership is one that I have recently joined because it will be so worth it to have those resources at my fingertips throughout the school year. Thanks, Leslie, for ALL you do!!
If you want a fun, exciting way to keep up with the latest in technology, then look no further than attending an online webinar, conference session, etc., with Leslie Fisher. She is my "go-to girl" for all things new in technology. I have attended GaETC for many years and go to every one of her sessions. I also love her paid subscription, which is a great value full of on-demand videos from previous sessions, access to live webinars, tons of easy-to-follow and use tech resources, PD certificates, etc. I always learn so much from her that I can instantly use personally, with graduate-level college students, or share with friends and family. I highly recommend her.
I met Leslie years ago at the first MACUL conference I was able to attend. Since then, I have never looked back! I LOVE to learn and would immediately take what was taught and use it in my classroom. My kindergarteners and first graders were in awe of all their newfound knowledge. Her presentation style is fantastic and gave me the courage to be able to present in my school district and at MACUL. I have retired but still subscribe to her resources. I continue to learn and share with teachers and now my grandchildren.
My all-time favorite presenter! Leslie is personable, approachable, and, most importantly, very knowledgeable! I always came home with a lot of very useful information for myself and my students. I also came home ready to purchase several of the new gadgets and apps that she introduced in her sessions. So beware — she WILL cost you money! I have seriously considered paying my own way and attending her presentations since I’ve been retired because they are so informative and fun.
Leslie always manages to amaze me with all her knowledge. During her presentations, she makes everything easy to understand. If you have never attended her trainings, you need to discover this treasure.
As a newbie to tech, I wandered into a Leslie Fisher session over 20+ years ago & learned much! She was not only a professional in content but also personable to her audience! The phobia of tech diminished quickly, and I left fortified with usable ideas! Jump forward to now and I am still learning from Leslie. She has the ability to make programs miniscule so you don't feel overwhelmed, but she also magnifies the possibilities! When you learn from Leslie, it's like learning from a friend. Kind yet prodding you forward, learning from mistakes, authentic leader, and always with respect for the journey each participant is on ... not pushing her own agenda.
It is a pleasure for me to attend a seminar on the Internet and benefit from your experiences in this field. Countries, cities and oceans separate me from you. Thank you very much.
Leslie, you ALWAYS provide so many nuggets of wisdom. First, let me say that I LOVE your hair! Great decision! Your enthusiasm and humble approach to what you share is so refreshing. I love that you always find nuggets of goodness and willingly share those with the rest of us. The tips on Canva - which I was using but had no idea about the Google Classroom headers - and everything else you shared at your first session at ISTE were so helpful. While I couldn't attend the live session, I look forward to your Gadgets session on Friday. You really are shining in this new pandemic learning environment, and I greatly appreciate you! ~Barb
I saw your presentation at the ISTE2020 session called "Newest Features in Today's Most Popular Hybrid/Remote Online Solutions" and found it to be terrific! There were many apps I've used before, and some new to me, but what struck me was how positive and upbeat your presentation was. Keep up the energy as you share your knowledge and expertise with others. I'll be sharing these apps with my teachers back at my all-girls high school as we continue to navigate this hybrid/remote school year.
I had the pleasure of attending a workshop with Leslie during the virtual ISTE 2020 event and loved every second of it! I loved her energy and enthusiasm; her style was natural and engaging and reflected everything an educator needs in a professional learning environment. I learned a lot and took away many things I'll be able to help coach my staff in the near future. Thank you!
I have been attending Leslie's free webinars every Friday. I look forward to hearing her cheerful banter with a truly positive attitude. I have learned much more than I ever expected. I thought it would be an IT tech talk. However, it is down-to-earth and easy to follow. I feel like I am sitting with family. It starts at 2:30 am, and now that we are back to work, it is hard to keep my eyes open, but I don't want to miss anything. I replay to ensure I didn't miss anything and take notes (old age catching up with me!).
I almost wish Corona could last forever LOL!
You came all the way to Texas to our small school, Brownfield ISD, to present the overview of Microsoft Teams. You had us laughing, smiling, and very engaged. As an educator, I appreciate the hands-on and time to "play." Thank you for the amazing presentation, and I learned a lot. You are a superhero. PS. After seeing all your webinars this summer, I felt like I was seeing a movie star.
I was lucky to watch Leslie at the Kahoot EduMeet on June 17, 2020, and was delighted to learn so much about new apps that I had never heard of, like Immersive Reader, Flipgrid, Wakelet, and Kahoot. Today, I was excited to learn more about these apps including Pear Deck and Office Lens, even more detailed in her webinar online. She's so energetic and fun with her interactions with us. Thank You so much Leslie.
I watched Leslie during a live webinar during the #KahootEDUsummit, which was amazing!! Her energy and knowledge were incredible, and it was one of the best sessions I have attended in a very long time! I am excited to follow her. An extra special moment was her discussion about Flipgrid and her work with Adam Parker Goldberg, aka Adam ShortShorts, with collaborations together. The awesome connection for me is I know Adam personally. His mom and I are besties, and he went to high school with my kids. He and the gang at Flipgrid are amazing and talented. I loved how personal she was and also gave so many kudos to the various platforms she discussed in her presentation! I am a new fan!!!!
Leslie, I can't believe I am this many years old and I just met you! I am watching your greatness on the #KahootEDUSummit right now. Your tips and insights on some of my favorite platforms cemented my plan for how I will plan for this fall. You also blew my mind with new content! Thank you for the fantastic presentation and we'll always have "Turtles in Italy."
I saw Leslie last year at NCTIES and was ecstatic when I found out that she was appearing again this year.
Leslie's presentations are exactly what all faculty PDs are supposed to be, fun, interactive and above all useful.
Hello Tech people,
I have seen Leslie at several conferences and love sitting in on her seminars. She is extremely well-informed and gives you some great information, and it is always a wonderful experience. Lesie is very relaxed, funny, and a JOY to see. If you ever see her out of a seminar, you will also be amazed at her energy and her friendly personality.
Leslie, so glad you have come back to New Orleans!!
Thanks,
Karen
If you have never attended a conference with Leslie Fisher, then you haven't fully experienced a technology conference! She is amazing and then some. I have seen her for many years (I am so glad she was back this year), and I learn something new every single time. The passion she shares with you is like no other presenter. Her main goal is to help you help the students and to include lots of laughs and fun. She is hands down the best at tech tips, gadgets, and a true love for all things technology. Her sessions are full of information that you can take back and use immediately. LOVE LOVE LOVE Leslie! but Dang, I forgot to get my sticker and poker chip - It looks like I will make sure to catch her again soon. 😊
Witted advice, help and things that we as teachers really need to know! She is extremely knowledgeable about technology and was THE reason I attended the “optional” event; I knew she would not disappoint. She is THE BEST professional development speaker I have seen both at a national conference such as ISTE and one at my own school. I cannot wait to be able to see her again in the future as she always has great tips and tricks!
I just attended AETC in Mobile, Alabama, and Leslie Fisher ROCKS! I was so impressed with her presentations that I had to MAKE myself attend a few other sessions from other presenters at the conference. The wealth of information that she shared was priceless, and her energy and enthusiasm were contagious! I am so excited to share what I learned with the teachers at my school. If you ever get the chance to hear this woman, DON’T miss it!
Wow! What else is there to say? I stumbled upon a Leslie Fisher presentation a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. I have been to many presentations, some ok and some not, but in the four times I have seen Leslie, I have ALWAYS been impressed with both her demeanor and material. She is an educator-friendly speaker who speaks our language and knows exactly what we need in the classroom. There has NEVER been a time when I haven't gotten a WEALTH of material to use immediately from her. I cannot recommend her enough!
I saw Leslie at TCEA 2019 in San Antonio and, to put it mildly, WAS SO EXCITED! Why does Leslie have the longest line of fans (errr...learners) for every class she presents? Because watching her is like sitting down with your best friend with a cup of coffee. Only this best friend KNOWS THINGS! I walk out of her presentations with my brain exploding with new information. She does the research, and we reap the benefits. I never regret the time I spend with Leslie. Thank you, Leslie!
This was the first technology session where I actually understood the presenter from start to finish. Most presenters talk over our heads and assume we have a strong knowledge base in technology. The shared sites were useful and relevant to everyone in the room. For the more advanced participants, they were encouraged to ask questions for answers they were unsure about or strategies that might help their specific needs. I felt like I had a wealth of knowledge to return to my classroom and plenty of sites to share with my co-workers. I can't wait to attend another Leslie Fisher presentation!
After the first hour of listening to Leslie, I only had two questions: 1. Can we be best friends?! 2. How can I get a job working with you?!
Leslie presented THE BEST professional development that I have EVER attended! The simple instructions, the tips and tricks, and the practicality and immediate usability of everything she shared with us just made me happy! I have never left a PD smiling and bragging on all the positive aspects of what I just experienced, but, y'all, THIS Leslie Fisher is LEGIT!
I have seen Leslie present for many years now, and she is my favorite presenter. I have seen her at ISTE, LACUE, and TCEA. She shares the most up-to-date information about new FREE sites that are useful to me, my students, and my family. I will never turn down an invitation to hear her speak.
Had the pleasure of seeing Leslie Fisher for the first time last week at FETC in Orlando, Florida. All I can say is that I have found a teacher who understands my learning style. She is fast-paced and amazing, and you will never lose focus! Thank you for blowing my mind and expanding my technology knowledge. Can't wait to see her again!!!!
NEVER miss an opportunity to see Leslie. She is fun and entertaining as well as SMART! You will definately leave with information overload!
Leslie has been to GAETC as a fixture, and rightly so, as she does a great job each year.
Wish GATEC would leave her in a big space so she does not have to move around each day.
So, I saw Leslie present several years ago at GaETC. Now? Total Leslie Fan Club member for life! Amazing content, even more amazing presenter. Woke up an hour early to get to her first session!
Leslie Fisher is a gifted presenter. You can tell that her number one goal is to help educators better meet the needs of their students through technology. She always has a ton of information to share but can do so in a manner that does not overwhelm the audience. Her presentation methods have always empowered me with what I have learned and encouraged me to try new things. I seek out Leslie's sessions at any large technology conference and arrive at them early because I know that I will learn a lot from her.
I also personally use her membership as my own On-Demand PD. If I hear of something new somewhere, I search the membership area first and can usually find some sort of information on the topic. I love having access to her videos, slides, and whatnot any time that I feel I need to learn more. I especially find myself using her membership materials to learn about a new product before I have to share the product with my faculty or principal. I highly recommend a subscription to her membership.
I attended one of Leslie's webinars last night; as always, they did not disappoint. It was fast and full of great, honest personal advice. I have followed Leslie for a few years now and always find her presentations to be super useful, fun and collaborative, her audience is always happy to share and add value to the presentation. The hour flew by, and I learned a lot. Totally recommend her presentations.
I have had the pleasure of seeing Leslie in person at the CUE conference. My first experience watching Leslie present was by happenstance. I was sitting in a session that did not meet my needs, so I moved to her session about 15 minutes into it. Just after sitting down and listening, I knew I was where I needed to be! Leslie is a dynamic presenter with an energy and passion for what she does that I've seen in no other! A few months later, I tried to see another session at the National CUE conference; however, the line was out the door, and I could not get in to see. It was then I found her web page and webinars. Having just watched her webinar on Rocketbooks, I am again convinced that Leslie Fisher should be someone everyone experiences at least once in their career!
Thank you, Leslie, for presenting with passion and realness that resonates with those of us in the classroom! I hope to have the opportunity to see you present again at future CUE conferences!
My career changed on the day I heard Leslie present for the first time. At that point, I wanted out. When Leslie introduced me to Twitter, a whole new world opened to me. I realized that I wasn't alone in my struggles to innovate and reach my students. That was in 2011. Today, I am still in the classroom, and I am not ready to quit. Leslie's enthusiasm for helping teachers make meaningful connections and her quirky sense of humor make her presentations fun. I have attended many of her presentations since then and always learn something new. She has inspired me to become a Google for Education Certified Trainer and a regular conference presenter. Thanks, Leslie, for inspiring me to be a better teacher and giving me new tools to help me reach my students.
I won't lie. I've become a Fan Girl. You know, one of those squealing little teeny-boppers who follows in the wake of greatness, taking selfies along the way? (Only I'm a teacher and almost 50, but still...)
Leslie always, without fail, has something new to offer EVERY time I attend one of her sessions. Whether it's learning key features and functions of Adobe products, checking out the newest Gadgets, or hearing an idea that I can (literally... I've done it) send back to my class to try during her session, I never leave empty-handed.
Her genuine and sparkling personality makes learning fun again. In fact, I've been known to attend conferences solely based on knowing that Leslie Fisher was going to present.
It's not unusual that when attending teacher conferences, quite a few of the sessions I choose turn out to be a bust. Either the information is something I already know, or it just doesn't apply to my teaching situation. I know that when Leslie is going to be there, I can count on making good use of my time.
No matter what you teach (or are trying to learn!), attending a Leslie Fisher session will make your time worthwhile!
For the last several years, I’ve been front and center for all of Leslie’s sessions at GaETC (and also a time or two at ISTE.) I ALWAYS learn so much from her! Leslie’s special way of presenting, along with her wonderful sense of humor, makes the experience just that much better. She’s the best of the best! Although we only see each other (face to face) once or twice a year, I am both proud and honored to call her my friend.
I have had the pleasure of sitting in on many of Leslie's presentations through the years at NECC, ISTE, and NETA. She is one of the only presenters I have had the chance to have meaningful conversations with outside of the lecture hall. She is knowledgeable up to the minute of presenting. No presentation is the same. She takes joy in learning new technologies from her attendees. Leslie has a way of bringing people into her life in times of joy and sorrow. I believe Leslie is a one-in-a-million person!