Elementary school principals and technology specialists from the Leadership in Blended and Digital Learning (LBDL) cohort recently visited Lake Ridge Elementary in Magna. In this site visit principals were able to step into several classrooms to see first-hand how teachers at Lake Ridge are transforming their classrooms using blended and digital learning strategies. In addition to taking what they saw back to their own schools, some participants shared snapshots with us via social media posts that we will share below. Thanks to Karly Chavez (principal), Keith Reidford (school technology specialist), and the teachers and students featured below for allowing us into their classrooms. [Read more…] about Leadership in Blended and Digital Learning School Spotlight: Lake Ridge Elementary
Teacher Spotlights
Learning Activity: 4th Grade Math & Bit the Ozobot, Oakridge Elementary
Video Creator: Melissa White, School Technology Specialist, Oakridge Elementary and Valley Crest Elementary
4th Grade Math & Bit the Ozobot
Melissa White, School Technology Specialist at Oakridge Elementary, recently created this video of an innovative learning activity she shared with 4th grade students. Watch above to see how students worked together to program Ozobots and practice their multiplication skills. [Read more…] about Learning Activity: 4th Grade Math & Bit the Ozobot, Oakridge Elementary
Leadership in Blended and Digital Learning School Spotlight: Hunter Elementary
Elementary school principals and technology specialists from the Leadership in Blended and Digital Learning (LBDL) cohort were recently invited to visit Hunter Elementary School. In this site visit principals were able to step into several classrooms to see first-hand how Hunter Elementary teachers are transforming their classrooms using blended and digital learning strategies. In addition to taking what they saw back to their own schools, some participants shared snapshots with us via social media posts that we will share below. Many thanks to Kayla MacKay (principal), Kris Fox (school technology specialist), and the teachers and students featured below for allowing us into their school and classrooms. [Read more…] about Leadership in Blended and Digital Learning School Spotlight: Hunter Elementary
Teacher Spotlight: Jason Kerzner, The Hilda B. Jones Center
Spotlight Author: Pam Moeai, Educational Technology Specialist Team Leader
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.
— Helen Keller
Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Hilda B. Jones Center, and like the Grinch from the beloved Dr. Seuss story, I felt my heart grow in size that day as I met with the students and, in particular, one exceptional teacher.
What is the Jones Center? This GSD educational site provides a vocational training environment to give special education and at-risk students the opportunity to gain work-maturity, and specific job skills. One of the many wonderful and dedicated educators you may be able to find at the Jones Center is Jason Kerzner. [Read more…] about Teacher Spotlight: Jason Kerzner, The Hilda B. Jones Center
Educational Technology New Hires and Farewells 2018
This summer we say goodbye to several members of our team, while also looking forward to welcoming new additions to our technology specialist roster for the 2018-2019 school year.
Farewells
Warren Child, Library Media Educational Technology Specialist at Cyprus High School, who leaves us for retirement.
Colleen Hughes, Administrative Secretary in the Educational Technology office, who leaves us to pursue a new opportunity in another industry.
Tiffany Peoples, School Technology Specialist at Mill Creek Elementary and Sandburg Elementary, who has accepted a classroom teaching opportunity at Fox Hills Elementary.
Jayanne Unander, School Technology Specialist at Pleasant Green Elementary and one of our ETEP Trainers/Developers, who leaves us for retirement.
We wish each of you the best in your new endeavors and will miss your friendship and expertise.
New Hires
Tricia Fenton, our School Technology Specialist at Vista Elementary and Western Hills Elementary, will be moving into the Library Media Educational Technology Specialist position at Cyprus High School in the 2018-2019 year. Congratulations!
We welcome three new elementary school technology specialists to our roster in the coming year:
Kailie Nelson, coming to us from a 4th Grade classroom at Fox Hills Elementary.
Rebecca Vala, coming to us from a 4th Grade classroom at Spring Lane Elementary.
Margaret Yau, coming to us from a 4th Grade classroom at the Montlieu Academy of Technology in High Point, North Carolina.
Additional Information
You can find more information about our staff and their school assignments for the coming year on our directory pages:
- Educational Technology District Office Staff
- Elementary School Technology Specialists
- Secondary Library Media Educational Technology Specialists
2018 ETEP Graduates
We congratulate the 2018 graduates of the Educational Technology Endorsement Program (ETEP) in Granite School District! [Read more…] about 2018 ETEP Graduates
Spotlight: Stephanie Seely, Granite Connection High School
Stephanie Seely, the Library Media Educational Technology Specialist at Granite Connection High School, was recently named the South Salt Lake Rotary Club Teacher of the Year from Granite Connection High School. We congratulate her and thank her for all she does to teach students and support fellow teachers at Granite Connection High.
Teacher Spotlight: Olympus High Teacher Transforming Music Class With Technology
An innovative Olympus High School Music-Instrumental Teacher, Tim McMurray, seized the opportunity to apply for a secondary schools technology grant offered by the Educational Technology Department during the 2017-18 school year. He knew some classroom practices could be transformed using technology, allowing students to learn in a way not previously possible without it. [Read more…] about Teacher Spotlight: Olympus High Teacher Transforming Music Class With Technology
Google Expeditions at Vista Elementary
Teachers and some very excited students at Vista Elementary recently got to experience Google Expeditions Pioneer Program. The program is currently in a testing phase using devices without the need for Google Cardboard viewers. [Read more…] about Google Expeditions at Vista Elementary
Granite Presentations at UCET 2018
Last week the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology held their annual conference at the University of Utah. Sessions were led for and by educators, and many of Granite’s teachers and school technology specialists attended and presented at the conference. Below is a roster of the sessions shared by Granite teachers, along with links to resources from the sessions if available.
Granite UCET 2018 Presentations
| Session Title | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|
| Don't Be Afraid of Technology: How To Establish Successful Classroom Procedures | Melissa White (School Technology Specialist, Oakridge El. and Valley Crest El.) |
| Edpuzzle | Edna Habel (5th Grade Teacher, Western Hills El.) Ross Pope (School Technology Specialist, Arcadia El. and Whittier El.) |
| Engaging All Students with Classic Toys | Quinn Rollins (Social Studies Curriculum Specialist, Curriculum & Instruction Dept.) |
| Engage Students Like a Boss | Tricia Fenton (School Technology Specialist, Vista El. and Western Hills El.) Nicole Maycock (6th Grade Teacher, Plymouth El.) |
| Flipping out for Flipgrid! | Krystal Plott (School Technology Specialist, Wright El.) |
| HTML Programming on Chromebooks in the Elementary/Middle School Classroom | Andy Misco (School Technology Specialist, Eastwood El. and Twin Peaks El.) |
| Hyperdocs: Engage, Educate, and Inspire | Rebecca Baggett (School Technology Specialist, West Valley El.) Anastasia Limantzakis (School Technology Specialist, Crestview Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary) Tiffany Simons (School Technology Specialist, Driggs El. and Granger El.) |
| Learn and Play with Ozobots | Brandi Gollinger (School Technology Specialist, Armstrong Academy) Jayanne Unander (School Technology Specialist, Pleasant Green El.) |
| Makerspace: How to Build a Solar Greenhouse | Laurel Udy (Special Education Teacher, Hunter El.) |
| Meet KIBO in this Hands-on Session for Robotics for PreK-2nd Grades | Janeen Johnson (Kindergarten Teacher, South Kearns El.) Jennifer Millett (Kindergarten Teacher, South Kearns El.) |
| Micro:bit by Bit | Sherri Harris (School Technology Specialist, Wilson El.) Kathleen Riebe (School Technology Specialist, Fox Hills El. and Frost El.) |
| Micro:bit Coding | Sarah Eyring (School Technology Specialist, Granite Technical Institute) Samantha Mitchell (School Technology Specialist, Academy Park El. and Gourley El.) |
| Mixology: Structures and Strategies for Blended Learning | Pam Moeai (Specialist/Team Leader, Educational Technology Dept.) Jennifer Peirce (Specialist/Team Leader, Educational Technology Dept.) |
| Online Library Resources | Tricia Fenton (School Technology Specialist, Vista El. and Western Hills El.) |
| Raspberry Pi | John Smith (School Technology Specialist, Bacchus El. and Plymouth El.) |
| School News Production and Film Made Easy | Jen Johnson (3rd Grade Teacher, William Penn El.) |
| 3D Printing and Engineering Design in the Classroom | Dave Pendleton (4th Grade Teacher, Armstrong Academy) |
| Teacher Leadership in Utah: Utah Teacher Fellows | Deborah Gatrell (Social Studies Teacher, Hunter Sr. High) |
| UEN Canvas Modules for your class | Mikelle Gordon (1st Grade Teacher, Sandburg El.) |