Teacher+Capacity+to+Implement+Grant

The grant will be awarded to schools that demonstrate a collaborative team of four (4) teachers who are able to influence learning outcomes for a set group of students and who will ultimately become mentors to other teachers in the building and leaders in a school professional learning community. To facilitate systemic change, this group should represent some **functional unit** of the school’s faculty (for example: 9th grade interdisciplinary team or, another example, the science department). criteria for evaluation (cont.) • Identify the participating teachers by name, title, classes taught and explain clearly how these 4 teachers meet the criteria above of a **functional unit**; • This grant is designed to support instruction by building the capacity of teachers to utilize technology and 21st century learning in the classroom. Please provide information regarding these teachers’ education, their commitment and desire to participate, and any existing knowledge of the teachers comprising the team regarding: o Examples of how these teachers are currently utilizing technology in the classroom for teaching and learning (for example: use of a learning management system, ePortfolios, handheld devices, probeware, etc.); o Knowledge of and experience with 21st century skills development, projectbased learning, social networking, Web 2.0 tools, etc.
 * 9. Teacher Capacity to Implement Grant **

** Nella Flack **, Science Teacher 7-8th Grade, BS Elem. Ed K-8, K-12 Spec. Ed. LD\BD, MS Ed. Early Childhood,Post Grad Classes: EET (Electrical Eng.), Science Ed. Tech Ed., Currently enrolled on-line course: Nettrekker: Ed. Search Tool, Participated in NASA NEWMAST Education program, Also 20+ yr. Teacher -Adult Basic Education, providing a valuable awareness of transitions skills needed from school to workforce. Currently participating in Earth Force Community Based Service Learning Project, incorporating web-based research and developing a project to counteract negative environmental impacts. Technology currently using: Promethean Activboard ,CPS, Web-Based Projects, Teacher Web Page, Power Point, Digital Storytelling, United Streaming. I think my favorite quote says it all: "Einstein once said, “The most beautiful experience we have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed.” Technology literally brings the world to us. We are no longer limited because of geographic location. We now have access to information we would have never seen or knew existed before how can anyone NOT want to be part of it. (creating and maintaining; distance learning; several internet-based graduate class discussion forums through Miami University of Ohio. It is my belief that students who are engaged in meaningful and rich learning experiences will remember what they learned. Remembering what they learned is knowledge. Knowledge is theirs forever.
 * Diane Hunsbarger ** : Principal - B.S. in Comprehensive Social Studies 7-12 and Special Education D.H. K-12, M.S. in Educational Leadership 7-12, Superintendent certification. Leader of school leadership team, attended workshops and classes in OhioLit, Excel, ESIS, ExamView. As a teacher I utilized the district technological programs and saw first-hand the increase in the skills of my students. I believe the teachers and staff must obtain skills to teach with new technology because the jobs of the future depend on our students having those skills. Education is the great equalizer. Students from poverty need the skills to have success in future educational endeavors and it is our mission to make sure they have them. As the school leader it is vital I stress the importance of incorporating technology into the curriculum. I have served on the district's team when small learning communities were instituted. These teams provided training into many components we need for the technology team, i.e., Critical Friend groups, common planning time, and focused professional learning meetings. With these in place we will be able to develop capacity within our group and the skills needed to develop opportunities to increase the technological skills of our entire staff.
 * MaryJo Ferguson ** : MH self-contained teacher, Grades 5-8. Have a B.S. in Comprehensive Social Studies and Special Education LD. M.H AND S.B.H., K-12 and a M.S. in elementary ed. Currently on school leadership team. I am one of three building sysops. I have attended workshops and classes in EXCEL spreadsheets, Photo-imaging, United Streaming, Esis, New Century, Exam View, Movie Making, Integrating Math and Science through activities and projects, NASA NEWMAST Education program, guided reading and Writing, finding web-based resources to teach math and science. I have taught classes to staff on creating power-points, using Publisher in the classroom and on utilizing interactive white boards in the classroom. ‘I believe that all students are capable of learning if we engage them in the learning process through innovative, interactive lessons. ‘
 * Rachel Pappa ** ,** Rachel Pappa **,BA in Spanish(K-12), member of school leadership team, I teach Spanish/Future Problem Solvers/Academic Intervention. As a part of the 21th century technolgy team I have used Classroom Performance System(CPS) for short cycle assessment, CD-roms for Spanish class vocabulary enrichment, computer lab for Academic Intervention to research, videos and DVDs for cultural information for Spanish. This recent school year I traveled to Panama to network with a middle school in order to begin a cultural exchange . I met with the Director of the middle school and discussed having students email one another, and possibly use webcams to promote cultural diversity. This cultural exchange will allow the students to experience a culture outside of their local community. The enhanced and up-to-date technology along with the training on the use of the new equipment will allow for further cultural awareness to take place. The students will benefit from this global exchange of language, culture, and technology.
 * Judith E. Moschella, ** Mathematics Coach Grades 7 and 8. B.S. Ed Elementary Education 1 thru 8; M.S.Ed Curriculum; Mathematics Coaching Endorsement, The Ohio State University; Developmentally Handicapped Special Education K thru 12. Mathematics teacher on the live television program "Homework Express" televised through Youngstown State University reaching an audience of 4,000,000. Technology used: Promethean and/or SmartBoards; CPS system; utilization of student interactive learning programs and extracting the data to drive instruction; Elmo; creating and using power-point presentations; teacher web page