Teachers win SMART Board mini-grants

SMART Board Mini-Grants funded by an Enhanced Education through Technology grant have been awarded to ten teachers. Each teacher is listed with quotes from their application about how the SMART Board will change their teaching or the advantages of having a SMART Board in their classroom.

North School

Allison Glathar – “While some students may sit and listen in my classroom now, with a SMART Board they would be out of their seat and be involved in what I am teaching. They would be able to manipulate items instead of just viewing them on a whiteboard.”

Debra Harris – “I have come to realize that a SMART Board can definitely deepen and enhance the learning process for all students. It is a highly motivational classroom tool! I believe a SMART Board would allow me to provide interesting and diverse activities that would meet the needs of all learners in the classroom.”

Brenda Streit – “I think the flexibility the SMART Board provides would make it possible to increase those ‘teachable’ moments that are treasured by all teachers. If you had to make an analogy between whiteboards and SMART Boards, it’s like wearing a baseball hat and then having a magician’s hat. They both have the same initial purpose, but then the SMART Board goes to the next level because with everything that it can do, it’s like magic (and every kid likes magic)!”

South School

Kris Ogle – “The SMART Board would allow students to have an interactive experience with lessons being taught while receiving instant feedback. Today it is so important to expose students to different modes of instruction, and this technology will allow that to happen in my classroom.”

Cece Simon – “I would start first with activities the students could do to learn a skill or concept (Example-Three branches of government). Next, I would work in things we would look up on the internet to see and get a better understanding of (Example-plant cell or maybe an artist). I would also like to eventually have my science and social studies notes up for students to review with.”

Middle School

Kory Huppert – “Incorporating a SMART Board into my lesson plans will allow me to adapt to the growing advancements in technology. During my first year of teaching, I have noticed the differences of attitudes between the students learning with technology and learning with lecturing. Being able to implement lesson plans with interactive technology will help take my teaching practices to the next level.”

Cindy Kopf – “A SMART Board in my classroom will definitely enhance the lesson being taught or reviewed in the classroom. The students will be motivated to learn. I will present math and reading lessons with the use of a computer rather than marker pen and white board. My classroom will be energized!!”

High School

Lee Kurpgeweit – “SMART Boards would promote the transition to a more interactive and engaging classroom that would address different learning styles. By incorporating SMART Board technologies, my classroom will promote student-led learning method that will prepare students for post high school education/work environments where SMART Board technology skills will be an asset for FCPS graduates.”

Rita Weaver – “The use of a SMART Board would enhance the teaching of culture to my Spanish students. We could easily connect with the Spanish cultures throughout the world via the internet by studying current events, geography, weather and seasons, fashion, food, and festivals in Spanish speaking countries. My students would be able to animate the stories they create and easily share those creations with their classmates.”

Victoria Zoeller – “I believe that the SMART Board can make my lesson plans come to life for the visual learners in my room. When reading novels and short stories, I would love to be able to connect the stories to actual settings. My students could visually see the places both on maps and through photography. We need diversity and using literature and history, students can gain an understanding of the world in which we live. They can explore and discover who and what influenced some of the great authors of the past and present.”

As a result of being awarded the mini-grant, these teachers received a SMART Board, an up-to-date laptop computer (if they didn’t have one), and an LCD projector for their classroom. They will also have access to eInstruction Classroom Performance System “Clickers” and Interwrite wireless pads purchased for each building.

Five evening and Saturday training sessions to instruct the teachers in the use of the equipment have been scheduled for November and December. These teachers and others from both Falls City Public Schools and Falls City Sacred Heart who sign up for the workshops will be paid stipends for their attendance. Gregg Robke, ESU 4 Technology Consultant, will provide the training.

All equipment and training costs will be paid by a $72, 180 Enhanced Education through Technology grant received by Falls City Public Schools.