Aiken County Public School District Merry Glenne Piccolino Public Information Officer 803.641.2639 [email protected] www.acpsd.net For Immediate Release Training Begins For Full Circle Technology Grant Recipients Thirty-seven teacher applications were accepted for Full Circle Technology, the District’s comprehensive1:1 computing classroom grant opportunity that will provide everything needed to be successful in implementing 1:1 technology in the classroom including devices, training and follow up. “The program will change the culture of teaching and learning in which technology is not an add-on, but an integral part of the curriculum,” stated Aiken County’s Curriculum Technology Team including Mark Cota, Terry Hallman and Ashlee Logan. “We want to ensure teachers not only get a classroom set of devices,” Terry Hallman, Curriculum Technology Team lead continued, “but also ongoing training and support programs enabling them to concentrate on the job at hand, connecting students to real world learning through well designed, scaffolded, student-centered lessons.” Ninety-five teachers applied for the grant which will provide a hybrid laptop, running the newest version of Windows, with docking station, a class set of hybrid student laptops, a charging storage cart, access to Schoology Learning Management System, ongoing technical support and professional development, three hours of graduate credit from The College of Charleston and a $500 stipend. The 37 teachers accepted include: Kenny Andrews, Paul Knox Middle School; Amber Bannister, Leavelle McCampbell Middle School; Esther Blake, Chukker Creek Elementary School; Amanda Brewer, Aiken Elementary School; Sarah Burnham, Kennedy Middle School; Rebecca Butler, Warrenville Elementary School; Miranda Church, Chukker Creek Elementary School; -MORE- Crystal Coleman, Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle & High School; Adam Cowart, North Augusta High School; Angela Drake, Midland Valley High School; Chris Emerling, North Augusta High School; Dana Foster, Kennedy Middle School; Dustin Fowler, Midland Valley High School; Gordon Gaskill, Kennedy Middle School; Brian Gibbons, Busbee-Corbett Elementary & Middle School; Brandee Greene, Aiken Elementary School; Kennita Hairston, Jackson Middle School; Agnes Hamilton, Schofield Middle School; Rebekah Hannon, Aiken High School; Elisabeth Hardy, North Augusta High School; Courtney Hewlett, LBC Middle School; John Hostetler, Midland Valley High School; Kayla Hostetler, Aiken High School; Sally Jenkins, LBC Middle School; Jacqueline Kuney, Gloverville Elementary School; Niki Mack, Silver Bluff High School; Susan McCord, Gloverville Elementary School; Kati Merriman, Kennedy Middle School; Sarah Meyer, South Aiken High School; Stacia Nuessle, Aiken Elementary School; Christie Palladino, Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle & High School; Ivey Peteet, East Aiken School of the Arts; Stephanie Prandy, Kennedy Middle School; Dee Redd, South Aiken High School; Lynn Tarver, North Aiken Elementary School; -MORE- Jennifer Wilson, Aiken High School; and Tabatha Younts, Belvedere Elementary School. All Full Circle Technology teachers will be required to attend three full-day training sessions designed to familiarize these selected educators with Windows 8+, Office 365, Schoology Learning Management System and various Windows Apps. The first training was held at the District office Saturday, May 16 and additional classes will be held June 8 and 11. They’ll also attend professional development sessions in August and December of 2015 and April of 2016. These tech-savvy educators will incorporate student devices into daily instructional plans and develop technology-infused lessons in support of the District’s county-wide technology vision. “The computer age is here and it is here to stay,” declared Terry Hallman on behalf of the Curriculum Technology Team. “Our jobs as educators are to provide curricula and instruction which equips our students to be the leaders of tomorrow. This requires a thoughtful plan of action that promises our learners become independent thinkers and problem solvers ready to face unknown challenges. We strongly believe that Full Circle Technology will be the spark to propel our teachers and students to achievements beyond anything we imagine.” #####