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Granite School District > Educational Technology > Blog > Celia Powell

Celia Powell

Featured Resource: Puzzle Hunts

January 2019Josh Whiting

Post Author: Celia Powell, Educational Technology Specialist and Team Leader

Teachers have embraced the breakout boxes both physical and digital in recent years to help students solve problems, think critically, and develop engagement in the classroom. Alex Rosenthal and his colleagues have taken the principles of a breakout box several steps further in their annual puzzle solves. Check it out for long-term projects and challenges for students.

Additional Links

  • MIT Mystery Hunt
  • MIT Mystery Hunt Puzzle Index
  • Spotlight: First Graders and the 4 Cs with Breakout EDU
  • Spotlight: Digital Breakouts at Calvin Smith Elementary
  • BreakoutEDU Conference Presentation by Tricia Fenton and Sara Robinson
  • Digital Breakout Template
  • How Digital Breakouts Work
  • Making a Digital Breakout
  • 50+ Digital Resources for Creating Puzzles and Clues

Filed Under: Digital Learning Resources, Professional DevelopmentTagged With: Breakout EDU, Celia Powell, Digital Breakouts, Game-Based Learning, MIT Mystery Hunt, Problem Based Learning, Problem Solving Activities, Puzzle Hunts, TED Talks

Presentation: Teaching with Picture Books in Secondary Schools

May 2018Josh Whiting

For some, the reading of picture books is considered an activity exclusively meant for young children in lower grades. In a recent professional development session for Library Media Educational Technology Specialists in secondary schools, Celia Powell, Cindy Moyle, and Cherie Anderson gave a multitude of reasons to rethink this bias, showing how picture books can be used in junior high and high school classrooms (and even with adults) to engage students and support curriculum in virtually all content areas.  [Read more…] about Presentation: Teaching with Picture Books in Secondary Schools

Filed Under: News, Professional DevelopmentTagged With: Book Lists, Celia Powell, Cherie Anderson, Cindy Moyle, Literacy Resources, LMETS, Picture Books, Professional Development Presentations, Reading Resources, Teacher Resources

Kearns Junior High Hacks the Attendance Problem with QR Codes

December 2017Josh Whiting

This school year Kearns Junior High implemented a new program in which teachers take attendance by scanning QR codes in student binders at the door at the beginning of class. This simple technology trick saves teachers and students time by eliminating the awkward roll call process, provides more accurate attendance data, makes students more aware of when they are tardy, and gives the teachers the opportunity to greet their students at the door and get to know them better. Toni Blattman, Library Media Educational Technology Specialist, explains the program in the video above.

Spotlight created by Celia Powell, District Educational Technology Specialist and Team Leader.

Filed Under: Teacher Spotlights, Technology TipsTagged With: Administrator Resources, Attendance, Celia Powell, Kearns Jr. High School, QR Codes, Secretary Resources, Toni Blattman, Tyler Howe

Featured Resource: Lynda.com (via Salt Lake County Library System)

May 2017Josh Whiting

Lynda.com is an online learning platform with a library of over 5,000 courses on skills in business, software, technology, and design. [Read more…] about Featured Resource: Lynda.com (via Salt Lake County Library System)

Filed Under: Digital Learning ResourcesTagged With: Celia Powell, Help and Tutorials, Lynda.com, Online Learning, Research Resources, Salt Lake County Library System, Student Resources, Teacher Resources

Granite Ed. Tech. Presentations at UCET 2017

March 2017Josh Whiting

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, school technology specialists, and library media educational 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.

Session TitlePresenter(s)
BreakoutEDUBrenda Duford (STS, Silver Hills El.), Stephanie Evans (STS, Monroe El.), and Dave Taylor (STS, Moss El. and Pioneer El.)
BreakoutEDUMichelle Reed (LMETS, Jefferson Jr. High) and Mary Anne Wiebe-Strong (LMETS, Churchill Jr. High)
BreakoutEDUTricia Fenton (STS, Vista El. and Western Hills El.) and Sarah Robinson (STS, Oakwood El. and Calvin Smith El.)
Bringing the World into Your Classroom with Virtual FieldtripsAdam Brough (STS, Diamond Ridge El. and Gourley El.), Samantha Mitchell (STS, Academy Park El.), and Will Walden (STS, Bacchus El. and Rosecrest El.)
Code UnpluggedJames Baliff (STS, Bridger El. and Jackling El.) and Aaron Kammerman (STS, Hartvigsen School)
Creating Stories, Illustrations, and Collages with iPads
Michelle Hanson (STS, Hillsdale El.)
Creating VR for the ClassroomBecky Schaap (STS, Copper Hills El. and Twin Peaks El.) and Tom Sparks (STS, Penn El. and Spring Lane El.)
Digital Breakout EduTiffany Pontius (STS, Cottonwood El. and Truman El.) and Keith Reidford (STS, Hillside El. and South Kearns El.)
Engaging Students with Toys, Games, and ComicsQuinn Rollins (District Social Studies Curriculum Specialist)
Get Hyped About HyperDocsStephanie Mondragon (LMETS, Valley Jr. High), Jenny Peirce (LMETS, Kearns High School), and Stephanie Seely (LMETS, Granite Connection High School)
Go Unplugged: Coding Without Computers (For Kids!)Cherie Anderson (Granite District Elementary Educational Technology Specialist), Celia Powell (Granite District Secondary Educational Technology Specialist)
Googlizing The Amazing RaceKris Fox (STS, Elk Run El.), Joell Wilkins (STS, Farnsworth El. and Woodstock El.), and Jaime Woolley (STS, Taylorsville El.)
Incorporating Music and Movement in the Classroom with Go Noodle!
Krystal Plott (STS, Driggs El. and Wright El.)
K-3 Meets G SuiteTeresa Bruin (Granite District Elementary Educational Technology Specialist) and Heidi Meenen (Granite District Elementary Educational Technology Specialist)
La La Land Yourself into Digital StorytellingKristen Johnson (Granite District Elementary Educational Technology Specialist)
LEGO League Robot GamesMichelle Reed (LMETS, Jefferson Jr. High)
Maker Space: Mechanical HandsSarah Eyring (STS, Granite Technical Instute), Samantha Spangler Mitchell (STS, Academy Park El.), and Davina Sauthoff (LMETS, Wasatch Jr. High)
Motivating Upper Elementary Through Popular Culture: Providing the "Why"Keith Reidford (STS, Hillside El. and South Kearns El.)
Orange Slice Rubric CreatorJeremy Smith (Spanish Teacher, Taylorsville High) and Lorraine Wyness (LMETS, Taylorsville High)
Show What You Know - Creative Assessments in the Elementary ClassroomMaggie Tanner (STS, Redwood El.) and Kareena Steed Vance (STS, Mill Creek El. and Sandburg El.)
Sphero OlliempicsAlisha Kerby (STS, Roosevelt El.), Ashley Moore (STS, Lincoln El.), Karen Tinsley (STS, Stansbury El.)
Technology and Educational EquityChris Larsen (Director, Educational Technology)
The $10,000 mistake: Essential Steps Every Teacher Should KnowDale Roberts (Director, Information Systems)
They want formative..Now What?
Misty Butterfield (STS, Beehive El. and Oquirrh Hills El.) and Melissa White (STS, Oakridge El. and Valley Crest El.)
Zubi Flyer - The World's First Interactive, Programmable Flying Toy!
Thomas Phipps (STS, Upland Terrace El. and West Kearns El.)

Thank you to all who shared their ideas and expertise at the conference this year. We would also like to congratulate Chris Larsen, Director of Educational Technology, for being elected to a position on the UCET Board during the conference.

Photo from a BreakoutEDU session at UCET 2017 facilitated by Tricia Fenton and Sarah Robinson.
Photo from a BreakoutEDU session at UCET 2017 facilitated by Tricia Fenton and Sarah Robinson.
Photo from a BreakoutEDU session at UCET 2017 facilitated by Tricia Fenton and Sarah Robinson.
Photo from a BreakoutEDU session at UCET 2017 facilitated by Tricia Fenton and Sarah Robinson.

Filed Under: News, Professional DevelopmentTagged With: Aaron Kammerman, Adam Brough, Alisha Kerby, Ashley Moore, Becky Schaap, Brenda Duford, Celia Powell, Cherie Anderson, Chris Larsen, Dale Roberts, Dave Taylor, Davina Sauthoff, Educational Conferences, Educational Technology, Granite Educational Technology Department, Heidi Meenen, Jaime Woolley, James Baliff, Jenny Peirce, Jeremy Smith, Joell Wilkins, Kareena Steed Vance, Karen Tinsley, Keith Reidford, Kris Fox, Kristen Johnson, Krystal Plott, Lorraine Wyness, Maggie Tanner, Mary Anne Wiebe-Strong, Melissa White, Michelle Hanson, Michelle Reed, Misty Butterfield, Professional Development Presentations, Quinn Rollins, Samantha Mitchell, Sarah Eyring, Sarah Robinson, Stephanie Evans, Stephanie Mondragon, Stephanie Seely, Teacher Resources, Teresa Bruin, Thomas Phipps, Tiffany Pontius, Tom Sparks, Tricia Fenton, UCET, Will Walden

Granite Library Presentations at UELMA 2017

March 2017Josh Whiting

Last week the Utah Educational Library Media Association held their Spring conference at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City. Many of our library media educational technology specialists (LMETS) and media clerks attended the conference, and several presented sessions at the conference themselves. Here is a roster of the sessions shared by our specialists, along with links to resources from the sessions if available.

Session TitlePresenter(s)
Book Repair -- Fixing Inner HingesBrad Butcher (LMETS, Evergreen Jr. High)
BookTubeJessica Moody (LMETS, Olympus Jr. High)
Destiny HacksJosh Whiting (Library Media Specialist, Educational Technology Dept.)
Effective Library Web PagesKeith Smedberg (LMETS, Olympus Sr. High)
Engage Your Students through Breakout EDU Games!Stephanie Hamilton (LMETS, Bennion Jr. High) and Davina Sauthoff (LMETS, Wasatch Jr. High)
Genre-fying Your Library Fiction CollectionLorraine Wyness (LMETS, Taylorsville Sr. High)
Hosting an AuthorBrad Butcher (LMETS, Evergreen Jr. High)
Hosting a Book ClubWarren Child (LMETS, Cyprus Sr. High)
I Read. What's Your Superpower? Michelle Asay (LMETS, Granger Sr. High) and Heidi Williams (LMETS, Skyline Sr. High)
Is Your Library Engaging to Culturally Diverse Students?Toni Blattman (LMETS, Kearns Jr. High), Susan Booth (LMETS, Cottonwood Sr. High), and Marcia Ingram (LMETS, Eisenhower Jr. High)
Library Productivity AppsAngela Christensen (LMETS, Kennedy Jr. High)
Picture Books with Secondary StudentsCindy Moyle (Granite District Secondary Libraries Supervisor) and Celia Powell (Granite District Secondary Educational Technology Specialist)
Twitter & Google +Jeff Curran (LMETS, Granite Park Jr. High)

In addition to the above sessions, Quinn Rollins, Granite’s Social Studies Curriculum Specialist, attended and gave an excellent presentation entitled “Beyond Batman: Graphic Novels as Serious Texts.”  Author Emily Wing Smith, a Taylorsville High School alumnus and occasional substitute teacher for Granite, gave the inspiring and relatable morning keynote address on her personal childhood experiences that led her to writing.

We really appreciate all of those from Granite School District who shared their time and expertise in these sessions. We further look forward to next week’s UCET 2017 conference, in which many of our elementary school technology specialists (STS) will present breakout sessions, as well as more of our LMETS.

Filed Under: News, Professional DevelopmentTagged With: Angela Christensen, Brad Butcher, Celia Powell, Cindy Moyle, Davina Sauthoff, Emily Wing Smith, Heidi Williams, Jeff Curran, Jessica Moody, Joshua Whiting, Keith Smedberg, Library Resources, Literacy Resources, LMETS, Lorraine Wyness, Marcia Ingram, Michelle Asay, Professional Development Presentations, Quinn Rollins, Stephanie Hamilton, Susan Booth, Toni Blattman, UELMA, Warren Child

Teacher Spotlight: Brandon Kerby, Kearns Jr. High

December 2015Josh Whiting

Brandon Kerby teaches Spanish at Kearns Jr. High School. He utilizes many digital tools with his students. In the above video you can see his students practicing Spanish together interactively using Quizizz on their devices. Many thanks to Mr. Kerby for giving us a snapshot of the exciting things happening in his classroom!

Spotlight Creator: Celia Powell, Granite District Educational Technology Specialist

Filed Under: Teacher SpotlightsTagged With: Brandon Kerby, Celia Powell, Kearns Jr. High School, Quizizz, Spanish, World Languages

Teacher Spotlight: Jody Lynn Tolley, Skyline High

June 2015Josh Whiting

Jody Lynn Tolley teaches American Sign Language at Skyline High School, and is a member of the first cohort in the Educational Technology Endorsement Program. In this spotlight Ms. Tolley describes how having Chromebooks in her classroom has opened many new ways for her students to learn about ASL and Deaf culture. She also speaks to the value of the Canvas learning management system in keeping students up to speed when they miss her class, as well as giving them valuable skills that enable them to succeed in navigating future college classes.

Spotlight Author: Celia Powell, Granite District Educational Technology Specialist

Filed Under: Teacher SpotlightsTagged With: American Sign Language, Blended Learning, Canvas, Celia Powell, Chromebooks, ETEP, Jody Lynn Tolley, Skyline High

Teacher Spotlight: Jeffrey Horne, Skyline High School

April 2015Josh Whiting

Jeffrey Horne is not your average teacher. His students regularly use laptops and 21st Century skills to expand and invigorate their learning.  [Read more…] about Teacher Spotlight: Jeffrey Horne, Skyline High School

Filed Under: Teacher SpotlightsTagged With: Celia Powell, Jeffrey Horne, Laptops, Skyline High School, Social Studies, Student Projects, World History

Teacher Spotlight: Dennis Hummer, Cottonwood High School

October 2014Josh Whiting


Dennis Hummer teaches Chemistry at Cottonwood High School. Mr. Hummer works with his students using the Flipped Classroom method, also known as the “backwards classroom.” The Flipped Classroom involves a blended learning model where students access lectures, demonstrations and other information at home, then come prepared to do labs and homework in groups during class. The students act as student tutors and problem solvers and are able to seek guidance as needed from the instructor. This form of teaching compliments differentiated instruction and project-based learning.

In addition to the spotlight video above, check out all of Mr. Hummer’s Chemistry course videos on his YouTube channel. Here is one of his recent review videos:

You can also follow Mr. Hummer on Twitter: @Hummer_Chem. Here is one of his recent tweets, showing his students in action in the lab:

It's all about focus. #coltsaregreat #Flametests pic.twitter.com/8Y0wn1qm55

— Mr. Hummer (@Hummer_Chem) October 10, 2014

Spotlight Author: Celia Powell, Granite District Educational Technology Specialist

Filed Under: Teacher SpotlightsTagged With: Blended Learning, Celia Powell, Chemistry, Cottonwood High School, Dennis Hummer, Flipped Classroom, High School Science, Science, Twitter, Video Resources, YouTube

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