About Us
The Trusted Advice You Need for Technological Innovation
Dr. Andrew Berning
Founder and President
Dr. Berning brings IT governance and technology management skills to your organization. He is an Air Force veteran, a former chemistry teacher, and served over 25 years as a chief technology officer in K-12 schools, overseeing all aspects of technology, including network infrastructure, online learning, integration, and evaluation. He is currently the president of The Renaissance Institute.
Dr. Berning holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master's Degree in Chemistry, and a Bachelor's Degree in Science Education. He also earned an Executive Certificate in Technology Management and Leadership from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
WE PROVIDE FRACTIONAL ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
- Technology Program Oversight (Best Practices in Technology Integration)
- Technology Infrastructure (Networks, Servers, & Cabling)
- Security and Privacy
- Funding, Procurement, and Erate
- Instructional Materials Management
- Digital Content Management
- Digital License Management
- Research and Best Practices in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
- Virtualization and Cloud Computing
- Accessibility
- State and Federal Compliance Issues
- Legal Issues and Contract Law
- Accountability and Program Review
- Classroom Technology (Projection, Sound, Interactive Technology)
- Data Systems (Information and Workflow Systems)
- Online Learning and Computer-Based Instruction
Advisors
Trusted experts who support the mission of The Renaissance Institute
Susan Whitenack
Education Leadership Advisor
Susan Whitenack is an education leader with three decades of experience guiding schools and districts through periods of growth, innovation, and organizational change. Her career spans public and independent education, with leadership roles including Head of School, Director of K–12 Math Instruction, Elementary and Middle School Principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction — giving her a rare, ground-level understanding of how technology and instructional strategy intersect at every level of a school system.
Cathy Webb
Advisor, PEIMS & Student Data
Cathy Webb's passion for education, leadership, and data projects can be traced back as far as elementary school. Whether as president of her fifth grade class, math tutor in high school, or leading a Title IX data project while a student-athlete at Baylor University, Ms. Webb embraced every opportunity to teach, lead, and delve into data — graduating from Baylor with a Bachelor of Science in Education. As a captain and four-year letter winner in softball, she developed the leadership skills and work ethic that would define a 43-year career in education.
Dr. Robert Bostic
Technology Leadership Advisor
Dr. Robert Bostic is a nationally recognized educational leader, technology innovator, and former superintendent with more than three decades of experience in public education. Today, he is the Founder and CEO of Schools One Stop Shop LLC, an educational consulting firm built around the philosophy that “One Size Doesn’t Fit All.” Through the firm, Dr. Bostic works alongside school boards, superintendents, executive teams, and education partners to develop customized solutions in leadership, governance, strategic planning, executive searches, innovation, artificial intelligence, technology, and organizational improvement.
Dr. Suzanne Newell
Generative AI & Organizational Change Advisor
With over 30 years of experience spanning K–12, higher education, and the private sector, Dr. Suzanne Newell brings a deep understanding of organizational change. A former Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Chief Education Strategist, Suzanne now focuses on helping leaders harness the power of generative AI to solve complex challenges, improve decision-making, and build resilient systems.
Institute Values and Non-Negotiables
These core values drive our every decision:
- 1.We believe in and support public, private, and hybrid education.
- 2.We believe technology should serve humanity, not the other way around. We believe technology should serve the dignity of the human, the dignity of work, the vitality of the community and the common good.
- 3.We believe that teachers are the most important element in a school system and in a child's education.
- 4.We believe that technology plays a vital role in supporting teachers, administrators, and staff.
- 5.We believe that intelligent and wise use of technology will modernize education at all levels.
- 1.We will be trusted advisors to K-12 leaders and will never jeopardize that trust.
- 2.We remain vendor and product-neutral in order to maintain that trust.
- 3.All decisions and advice will be grounded in the best interest of the client.
Renaissance Institute Client List
- Beeville ISD, Beeville, TX
- Belton ISD, Belton, TX
- Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Carrollton, TX
- Copperas Cove ISD, Copperas Cove, TX
- Coppell ISD, Coppell, TX
- Corsicana ISD, Corsicana, TX
- Crowley ISD, Crowley, TX
- Denton ISD, Denton, TX
- DeSoto ISD, DeSoto, TX
- Duncanville ISD, Duncanville, TX
- El Paso ISD, El Paso, TX
- Faith Family Academy, Dallas, TX
- Fort Bend ISD, Sugarland, TX
- Granbury ISD, Granbury, TX
- Grand Prairie ISD, Grand Prairie, TX
- Highland Park ISD, Dallas, TX
- Hobbs Municipal Schools, Hobbs, NM
- Judson ISD, Live Oak, TX
- Killeen ISD, Killeen, TX
- Lindsay ISD, Lindsay, TX
- Longview ISD, Longview, TX
- Mid-Del Schools, Midwest City, OK
- Milford ISD, Milford, TX
- Military Child Education Coalition, Killeen, TX
- Park County School District 6, Cody, WY
- Plano ISD, Plano, TX
- Pleasanton ISD, Pleasanton, TX
- Richardson ISD, Richardson, TX
- Rockwall ISD, Rockwall, TX
- Sherman ISD, Sherman, TX
- Slaton ISD, Slaton, NM
- Southwest ISD, San Antonio, TX
- Stafford MSD, Stafford, TX
- Terrell ISD, Terrell, TX
- Texas Association of School Boards, Austin, TX
- The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
- Village Tech Schools, Duncanville, TX
- The da Vinci School, Dallas, TX
- Waco ISD, Waco, TX
- Waxahachie ISD, Waxahachie, TX