About My Digital Ladder

Kris Somerville is the Academy of Finance (AOF) Coordinator/Business Teacher at Como Park Senior High School. AOF is an award-winning program where students are earning college credit through high school business classes and being exposed to all the areas of business through site visits, mentors, presentations, and internships. She has been at Como since 2012. Connecting the Business world and her Como Cougars is something she really enjoys doing. She is all about helping students in their next step in life after high school.

Before Como, she worked a bit in a community college setting and other high schools in the Chicagoland area. Kris has been enjoying the Twin Cities since 2002. When she is not at work, she is busy with her family which includes three kids who are St. Paul Public School students and is always running around with a foster dog.

Tom Connell is a retired teacher who spent 35 years in private and public education. During his last five years in education, Mr. Connell served as the president of Education Minnesota/Edina. He is currently working as a business development consultant for Better Together3, a Social and Emotional Learning Company that focuses on student and educator wellness. 

Mr. Connell has extensive non-profit experience having served on the boards of the West Metro Schools Credit Union and The Life Skills Center for Leadership, among others. His responsibilities on the My Digital Ladder Board include assisting with strategic planning and developing partnerships.

Carol Tracy (she/her) is a library media specialist with Hopkins VirtualEDU, an online and blended school within Hopkins Public Schools. She has been teaching in several capacities over the past 20+ years in both Minnesota and California. She has taught students in K-12 as a media specialist, technology teacher, traditional classroom teacher and reading specialist.

She has secured approximately $500,000 in grants for public education, all in the interest of bettering the experience for students. Carol’s passion is helping her students find their passion and amplifying their voices. Her function with My Digital Ladder is focused on grant writing and maximizing ROI.

Sean Beaverson, with his extensive background in education and technology, brings a wealth of experience to his role as Director of Technology and Innovation at My Digital Ladder. His journey from an English Language Arts teacher to a leader in educational technology is driven by his belief in the power of digital learning to open doors for youth, much like it did in his own career.

At My Digital Ladder, Sean applies his expertise to foster digital innovation and strategic growth, focusing on empowering underrepresented youth with essential digital skills. His commitment to the organization is rooted in the desire to make a tangible difference in the community by shaping future leaders equipped for the digital era.

Sean’s approach is characterized by a blend of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the educational landscape, emphasizing the importance of human connection in digital learning. His work aims to create pathways for success where barriers once existed, offering opportunities for students to learn, grow, and lead in an increasingly digital world.

As he continues in his role, Sean is dedicated to collaborating with students, community members, and local businesses, building bridges through education and technology.