July, 2002

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Diane Bennett Presents at TETA 

Jerry Bates Discusses Ed Tech for 2002-03

Continuing Summer TLCF Activities 

BONUS AWARD of $100,000 ANNOUNCED

Tuesday, July 9th was a very exciting day for Mt. Juliet High School and Wilson County Schools.  As I was beginning a meeting with our committee of university professors and staff development specialists, Ms. Monroe, our principal, proudly came in and announced she had just opened an e-mail from Jerry Bates announcing the TLCF Pilot Schools who had received the bonus award of $100,000.  Mt. Juliet High was indeed on that list.  For a moment, it felt like last year when we had been told we were selected as a pilot school.  The only difference here was that this announcement meant we had succeeded in meeting all five criteria set out at the beginning of our quest for higher test scores as we integrated technology.  This was the news we had been waiting for all year.I know, however, the rewards that do not reflect monetary value are just as important.  We have grown so much.  This award means we will be able to continue our effort of technology integration.  A budget must be submitted by August 1st for approval.

As I looked at the names of the schools receiving the large bonus, I couldn't help but think of those schools not on the list.  I do not believe the omission of their names meant they had failed.  This program had too many rewards in the process to consider any school short of success.  My thoughts were with them.

The committee to choose our "Best of the Best" practice met from around 9:00 to around 1:30 diligently.  They reviewed 12 technology lessons and used a point system to determine their winning choice.  Please review our "Best of the Best" practice web page for the details on the criteria for their selection.  David Haines is the proud winner and will receive the opportunity to configure a laptop computer to his liking to the tune of $2,000.  I notified David shortly after the committee left, and he was elated.  We will bring recognition to all best practice teachers at our first faculty meeting of the fall.

On July 16th, I set out for Chattanooga, TN for the TETA meeting (Tennessee Education Technology Association).  My purpose for attending was to present a one-hour workshop on our pilot year program to technology coordinators and technicians.  I created a brochure explaining our program, a PowerPoint presentation with links to our web site examples of integration, and a handout of "Lessons Learned" from our year-long implementation program to train teachers in technology integration.  Terri Horner, our technician, also attended.  We stressed the importance of working together.  Our four days in Chattanooga was a success.  We were also able to network with other trainers and technicians and encouraged them to visit our web site.