Clayton Ridge HS Principal Kris Einck and I and two Clayton Ridge High School juniors - Jennifer W. and Carissa S. traveled to MFL Mar-Mac CSD after our school day. We were invited by their District's administration to provide a portion of MFL's professional development and present to a group of 30+ faculty members about our 1:1 digital learning environment. These two HS juniors presented with grace and pure professionalism and explained the many highlights of how this type of 21st century learning environment has changed the way our students think and learn.
Our approach to our presentation was to be very informal which allowed MFL faculty members an opportunity to ask their questions about our 1:1 environment. Jenn and CJ showed great leadership skills and provided a presentation which demonstrated the tools they use daily as Clayton Ridge High School Student. They discussed at great lengths how the way they are learning has changed and how it is still transforming. The girls demonstrated to the large group: Google Apps, Edmodo, iChat, other collaborative opportunities, iWork, email for students and teachers, online grade module, iCal, and much more. Mr. Einck and I were so proud to be a part of this night. We were so impressed to watch these two students shine with their natural ability to impress a room full of professional educators with their honesty, knowledge and leadership skills.
To finish out our evening we took the opportunity to hear Sarah Brown Wessling - 2010 National Teacher of the Year recipient - speak to MFL Faculty and members of the community. Immediately, it became very obvious why this 35 year old from Johnston, Iowa has been recognized at the national level as a great educator. She had some very inspiring words with many helpful hints of how to be a teacher who continually learns, teaches, and leads while inspiring students.
In connection to her message, I believe our Digital Learning Environment at Clayton Ridge has created an opportunity for our teachers and students to inspire one another. It has been quite impressive to see a gradual transformation of teaching and learning throughout our District. The learning environment of our technology initiative has students and teachers equally learning, teaching, and leading together. The opportunity to share with the MFL community was a great experience and we hope our message and work paves the way for others.
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| CJ and Jenn with National Teacher of the Year Sarah Brown Wessling |
