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Valhalla School Staff Uses Conference Day For Tech Learning

MOUNT PLEASANT, N.Y. -- While students had a day off on Friday, March 13, Valhalla school staff members spent their day learning about technological programs, and how they can help them in their jobs and how it affects the Valhalla community.

Valhalla school staff members spent a day off learning about technological programs.

Valhalla school staff members spent a day off learning about technological programs.

Photo Credit: Valhalla Schools
Staff used the technology to see how it can affect them in their jobs and the community.

Staff used the technology to see how it can affect them in their jobs and the community.

Photo Credit: Valhalla Schools

Throughout the day, teachers moved from classroom to classroom, taking workshops to better educate themselves on a handful of programs. The workshops were part of the district’s technology Integration initiative; they were taught to teachers by fellow teachers.

All employees began their day by learning about Google Apps. For the next two hours, everyone selected two workshops to participate in. In a high school music classroom, Kensico teacher Chris Czerw demonstrated several programs to help students with music, including a virtual drum to monitor the children as they keep a drum beat’s rhythm. He also showed another program akin to a video game that helps students learn their scales.

Another group of teachers learned how to create and export iMovies. While the staff was hard at work, leader Anthony Maceli, a Valhalla High School teacher, walked around the room answering questions and helping them understand the program.

In an art classroom, leader Holly Flannery showed another group of teachers how art apps on the Apple TV and iPad can help students learn more effectively and quickly.

Some secretaries and clerical staff learned about eSchool Data, lead by Claudia Floryshak, the district’s chief information officer. They discussed how the program can help with safety, school bus lists and emergency plans. They also reviewed the Parent Portal, learning how to answer possible questions from parents. “It was an amazing day,” said Elizabeth Kimiecik, the district’s director for teaching, learning and technology. “The feedback was wonderful as everyone strongly agreed that the technology sessions enhanced their knowledge on a wide array of topics. All of the instructors provided hands-on opportunities for their colleagues to engage with specific technologies, apps and programs.”  

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