Introductions

[Demetri Orlando]

Welcome to this network!  Please take a moment to introduce yourself by posting a "reply" in the box below. Please always keep in mind that this is a public network, accessible to anyone on the internet.

You probably do not want to "follow" this forum. "Following" a discussion means that you receive an email message when someone else adds something new. Therefore, you should click "Stop Following" on the very bottom of the page, after you add your entry.

[Andrew Speyer]

Hi. I am the Director of Information Technology Services at Choate Rosemary Hall and a member of various New England technology groups.

[Susan Smith]

Hi Everyone,

I am the Director of Technology at Wyoming Seminary (Sem) in Kingston, Pa. This is my 7th year at the school, my fourth as Director. We are revisiting the use of technology at Sem via several committees - an opportunity I have been waiting for! This site will be a great resource for me as we move forward.

[David Downing]

I am the fifth grade math and science teacher, and one of the homeroom teachers, at Belmont Day School, outside Boston. I have taught there for 17 years, but not always fifth grade. I have been a homeroom teacher at various public and independent schools for every elementary grade except sixth grade for thirty years.

[Colin Bridgewater]

Hello all,

I'm a 7th grade English and social studies teacher at The American School in London. We've had a 1-1 laptop program here for the last 5 years in the 7th and 8th grades, and I'm always on the lookout for interesting ways to integrate technology into the curriculum. We've just started using Moodle this year and have experienced some successes and from frustrations! Apart from my classroom teaching duties, I also coach football (soccer) in the autumn and basketball in the winter. I am also the advisor to the middle school student newspaper, The Scroll.

[Beth Adamczyk]

Hello,

I am the technology Coordinator at Buffalo Seminary. We are a small (170) all girls high school. In addition to being responsible for the network, I teach freshman computer class, train and support the faculty, take care of the websites....well, you get the idea! Anyway, I have been working towards a 1:1 program for several years. Right before the break, the trustees approved it. I will begin with the incoming freshman class in the fall. If all goes well, I will bring the rest of the school on board the following year. I am hoping to network here with others who have been involved in a laptop school.

Happy New Year!
Beth

[Jack Black]

That is wonderful Beth.

[JP Culley]

Hi Demetri,

I am the Director of Academic Studies at St. George's Independent School near Memphis, Tennessee. I teach chemistry, help oversee our curriculum, coordinate professional development, schedule, and work with faculty and students in myriad ways. This is my first social networking site to join. I really look forward to it.

JP Culley

[Jess Simmons]

Good Morning Everyone!

I am Jess Simmons, a biology faculty/lacrosse coach/jack of all trades at Hyde School in Bath, ME. Prior to starting here last summer, I co-taught 1st and 2nd grade in North Carolina and spent two years working in college admissions. What a great way exchange ideas and network.

Have a great day!
Jess

[Terrance O'Neil]

Hello All,

I'm the Tech Integration Specialist at St. John's Prep School in Danvers, Mass.- been here for a few years now. I'm looking forward to hearing what's happening in the ed tech world and getting some new ideas to try out. Looks like a great site.

Happy New Year...Terrance

[Barbara von Schilcher]

Hi, everyone! I'm Barbara von Schilcher, the Network Administrator at Washington Episcopal School, a Nursery through 8th Grade school in Bethesda, MD. I've been with this school since its inception in 1986, and have been a Resource and Science teacher, as well as Kindergarten Assistant, Librarian, Assistant Business Manager, Yearbook Editor, Web Site Administrator, Publications Producer, and After School Activities teacher. I also take many of the photos for our school. Before coming to WES, I taught 6th Grade, 2nd Grade Resource and Science in Washington, DC and Primary and Intermediate Special Education (EMR) in the inner city in Rochester, NY. I look forward to meeting new colleagues and sharing ideas with many of you!

Thanks Demetri for setting up this site!
Barb

[Allison Weiss]

I'm the coordinator for the World Language lab/dept at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools in Chicago. Big on group-based learning using technology.

[Benjamin Skipper]

Good Afternoon from San Salvador, El Salvador. I am Ben Skipper and I am a science department coordinator and teach 8th-grade Physical Science to 120 bilingual students. My second year of full-time teaching has been even more over the top than the first as I have stepped off into the realm of technology integration across the curriculum and it has been a non-stop ride ever since.
Having become bored with Powerpoint and Keynote, I have begun development of flash content that will hopefully be finished soon so that my students can have a fully interactive experience in my classroom and at home if they need additional resources. Actionscript demons do haunt my dreams occasionally, though less so since the third iteration. I have also been piloting a Mimio through the paces of the everyday class and my joy at its potential is only overshadowed by its success with the students. I am working on paring down my different tech pursuits to try and focus on one area, and I am excited about this resource to hopefully connect with motivated professionals who are already pursuing many of my interests so that I can rely on them for advice/expertise.
Originally I hail from Virginia, but met my wife in Nashville, TN while I was a firefighter in neighboring Franklin.

Take it easy,
Skipper