ITF Success Stories

ITF

The technology department has worked together, to deliver technology training in many different forms to provide the schools in our district relevant online tools that help teachers deliver engaging, student centered, lessons.

Covid-19 Response
From very early on, the technology team strived to meet the immediate demand for high quality teacher training online during the Covid pandemic.Support was offered in many forms to differentiate and meet the needs of teachers, students and parents, 1 on1 meets, large and small groups, asynchronous and synchronous.
Meeting the needs of teachersCo-teaching and modeling how to integrate the G-Suite platform and numerous other applications into the core curriculum.
Meeting the needs of studentsHelping navigate logging in with multiple devices remotelyMeeting with students to demonstrate applicationsProviding resources and tutorials for students on various applications.
Meeting the needs of administratorsHelping to maintain clear communication channelsProviding professional development
Support, assistance and training of softwareVideo production and screencasting-flipgrid, screencastify1:1 screensharing sessions with admin, faculty/staff, and families to troubleshoot software issues or provide virtual instruction.

  • Google Doodle

Mrs. Holmes – NFA North 

  • 3D printed a robotic hand with students completing science research projects 
  • We used flipgrid in the science classroom to study minerals and learn each mineral as well as create a video answering the assignment, collaborating , accessing prior knowledge, researching and assessing . 
  • Deployed grades 9-11 with Chromebooks and have been in the classrooms working on hyperdocs, Flipgrid videos, Google Classroom, Read & Write extension and other Google extensions and apps, Google Sites, Slides , Sheets, 3D printers etc.
  • Provided Professional Development  and flipped classrooms for distance learning  
  • Collaborated with Music teachers to create music videos for online instruction.
  •  Worked on  web design and project based learning with 9th grade ELA classes . Students designed websites to premiere the book they were analyzing and connecting the text to their own lives in a new way. They included slides and presentations to illustrate and describe how that book related to their lives. Links, illustrations , presentations worked well with gaining student engagement as well as fostering student feedback,  collaboration, engagement and support .
  • Collaborated with our  ENL team with our new translation web based tools in google classroom and our new Rosetta Stone program. Provided personalized support for educators by planning and modeling the effective use of technology to improve student learning . With the use and implementation of our Google translate tool and Rosetta Stone technologies I was able to support our English as a new language learners and educators with any lesson at hand.

Mr. Antonelli – South Middle School

  • Planned out and implemented 1:1 chromebook protocol for 1,000 students
  • Helped to design and create an active learning space at SMS
  • Collaborated with 8th Grade Digital Art classes to 3D print student ‘Doodle for Google’ designs to submit to national competition
  • Was instrumental in supporting South Middle School teachers and students during the distance learning portion of this school year
  • Rolled out Student Portal initiative to all SMS Scholars
  • Collaborated with building technician to design and implement repair and loaner program
  • Worked with students, teachers, and administrators to create a video highlighting HMS programs that are available to incoming sixth graders
  • Collaborated with administration to create mini professional developments for monthly staff meetings
  • Collaborated with teachers to design lessons to meet the needs of our students
  • Co-taught in several classrooms modeling how to utilize technology to increase students’ engagement, understanding, and to increase productivity.  
  • Created tutorial videos, professional development classroom, as well as a classroom for school announcements and administrative needs
  • Collaborated with guidance and social worker to brainstorm ways to increase student communication 
  • Worked diligently on clearing out obsolete equipment while organizing current materials
  • Introduced and offered professional development on new and existing programs such as: Flipgrid, Google Classroom, Newsela, Flippity, …
  • Designed and implemented our Distance Learning plan with the technology department
  • Held daily office hours and conducted weekly professional development through the Covid-19 pandemic

Mr. Blakley – Meadow Hill

  • Collaborated with other ITF’s to create a resource guide with tools and techniques to help teachers succeed in delivering quality online instruction during covid
  • Created customized tutorials and resources daily for specific teacher needs
  • Worked together with the Library Media Specialist, teachers and administration to build a multimedia studio where students are able to produce production level movies using a green screen with the use of interactive media, ipads, chromebooks, cameras, microphones and teleprompters.
  • Infused real world, interactive STEAM projects in the core classes and the arts. One example was a hydroponics unit spanning multiple grade levels that taught students the process of modern farming practices, science integration, learning practical math measurements and tracking progress using google sheets and other tools in Gsuite.
  • Co-taught and modeled in multiple classrooms daily, how to integrate the Google suite and other tools such as newsela, discovery, flocabulary, flipgrid and screencastify into lessons, to enhance creativity, understanding and collaboration through 1 on 1, small group and whole class instruction.

Helen Zoutis Vails Gate STEAM Academy / GAMS:

  • Before Remote Learning, Ms. Gilligan and I worked on a huge initiative to help students apply and receive library Cards.  This was a big success and our students were able to access e-resources and books  which opened up a wealth of resources for them. 
  • I worked with the Dynamic Learning Project with my admin at GAMS Jeanette Logerfo to develop a coaching model to better meet the needs of the staff.
  • Worked with staff to demonstrate models of infused technology / Blended Learning in station teaching utilizing Apps such as Jamboard to create Reading Journals and Book Bentos, Reading Counts, access to ebooks from the Library to enhance the classroom selection of books, Flipgrid, Pear Deck, Google Classroom, Read write, Equatio, Scratch jr for coding a story, etc.
  • Tinkercad to create 3D projects
  • Preparing for Remote learning, with my department created a central Hub for resources.
  • For my individual buildings created a Google Classroom with resources and a place for communication.
  • On the day of closure removed all chromebooks and chargers from the carts from both of my buildings as well as assisted at Gardnertown so students could take home their devices.
  • Along with my department have developed and conducted training sessions and support for staff and admins throughout the district.  
  • Created a Site for my staff to access video and text directions to support their needs.
  • Continue to support all district staff members and my Team

Doulin and Decker:  (What we collaborated on together)– NFA Main

  • Coordinated and distributed over 1,800 chromebooks to NFA MAIN students
  • Held PD’s together on various technology resources, (in school/out of school/distance learning)
  • Made Instructional videos together
  • Distributed over 300 Sprint hotspots to NFA MAin students
  • Redesigned and implemented a functioning Active Learning Space “Eagles Nest,” in order to have a space for teachers and students to learn and teach
  • Collaborated together for distance Learning initiatives
  • Created a Google Classroom, with a plethora of info regarding technology resources (150 teachers)

Mr. Olsen – Heritage Middle School

  • Deployed 1:1 Chromebooks for close to 1,000 students
  • Collaborated with building technician to design and implement repair and loaner program
  • Worked with students, teachers, and administrators to create a video highlighting HMS programs that are available to incoming sixth graders
  • Collaborated with administration to create mini professional developments for monthly staff meetings
  • Collaborated with teachers to design lessons to meet the needs of our students
  • Co-taught in several classrooms modeling how to utilize technology to increase students’ engagement, understanding, and to increase productivity.  
  • Created tutorial videos, professional development classroom, as well as a classroom for school announcements and administrative needs
  • Collaborated with guidance and social worker to brainstorm ways to increase student communication 
  • Worked diligently on clearing out obsolete equipment while organizing current materials
  • Introduced and offered professional development on new and existing programs such as: Flipgrid, Google Classroom, Newsela, Flippity, …
  • Designed and implemented our Distance Learning plan with the technology department
  • Held daily office hours and conducted weekly professional development through the Covid-19 pandemic