2010-2011 Qwest/AzTEA Grant Winners, Round Two

Sharing Yuma's Stories

$9,606.93

Project Summary:

Sharing Yuma's Storiesempowers our students in grades K-5 to chronicle the big, and sometimes not so big, stories of our community, by literally putting technology in their hands. The familiar feel and compact size of iPods allow even the smallest hands to capture original, real-world content and use it to share their stories.

Building on a strong peer and cross-age tutoring programs, students plan, process, and produce projects that are then disseminated thought the school and community. 

Tim Gilliland's Bio:

Tim Gilliland is a fifth grade teacher at Desert Mesa School in Yuma, Arizona. He has been teaching in southwest Arizona since 1979 in grades four through sixth grade as well as K-6 Science. He can trace his love of technology back to a TRS-80 computer and still loves anything with a plug. In his spare time Tim volunteers as a puppy-raising leader with Guide Dogs for the Blind. 

Creating Geologic Hazard Maps Through Fieldwork and GIS

$8,099.00

Project Summay: The Schultz Fire burned over 15,000 acres during the last ten days of June 2010. Soon after, monsoon rains brought devastating floods onto neighborhoods below the burned area. The proposed project is to create hazard maps of the damaged area with my Physical Geology class.   This endeavor will allow students to grapple with a compelling problem, participate in field research with local scientists, and create an authentic and meaningful final product that will be shared with the broader Flagstaff community.  Using similar technology and methods to the scientists we work with will give students the opportunity to generate data and maps, and make interpretations that will be incorporated into the broader studies the researchers are conducting. This project and the collaboration with local scientists working in the field will increase student engagement in the learning process, to build confidence in their academic skills, and to cultivate their curiosity and passion for learning.

Beth Sabol's Bio:  Born and raised in New England, I came to Arizona to study geology and play lacrosse at the University of Arizona. After completing my B.S, I was accepted into the Teach for America program and taught Physical Science at Skyline High School in Oakland, CA. I then moved to Flagstaff and started my Masters program in Geology at Northern Arizona University. While completing my research and thesis I began teaching math and science as part of the Technology Enhanced Learning Community (TELC) program. After two years in the TELC program, I moved to Flagstaff High School and began teaching Algebra I and Geometry. Before starting at the Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA), I taught two undergraduate introductory Geology courses at Northern Arizona University. My love of teaching stems from my passion for science and my desire to convince young people that science is interesting, relevant, fun and accessible. I want to encourage my students to pursue careers in science in technology just as a passionate high school geology teacher did for me.

Project Summary:  Students categorized with mild cognitive delays who receive services in the Life Skills program will use the iPod Touch or iPad to gain maximum independence, by using different applications directly coordinating with their individual needs, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), transition, and Adaptive PE goals. Applications will focus on finances, communication, health, organization, and basic functional academics. Students will incorporate the use of the iPod Touch/iPad into all aspects of their lives. Students will explore, utilize, and share applications that they find to be related to independent living. Transition is an important part of a developmentally delayed individual’s success. Learning life skills through technology will give the students a constant technological resource and provide a feeling of normalcy as they observe their non-disabled peers use technology daily along with themselves. Teachers will become more technologically aware and adjust instruction by incorporating more 21^st Century Skills. Using an iPod Touch/iPad to manage life is a novel and innovative idea for this population of students. Using cutting edge technology to provide student guided instruction for adaptive PE and Life Skills is an unconventional, new approach within our district and will provide students with an opportunity to gain maximum independence through technology without the support or minimal support of government aid. The desired outcome of the project is that each student will commence from the program with an increased set of independent skills, using technology that is accessible and affordable. It is the hope and intent of the project to conduct ongoing fundraising activities so that each student exiting the program will leave with a personal iPod Touch or iPad.

Biography for Denise Mattingly   I am Denise Mattingly, single mother of a beautiful, nearly twelve year old daughter. I received my dual degree in Elementary and Special Education from Northern Arizona University in May of 2001 and I am in my tenth year of teaching. Prior to teaching I was employed with W.L.Gore and Assoc. as a research surgeon in the medical products division for nearly seven years. For ten years, while working as a research surgeon, I assisted my mother in her restaurant, Gretel’s Blackforest House, as a cook, baker, food server, and doer of all things. I chose to become a teacher after the Columbine shootings, realizing that the common denominator for change with our nation’s children were the teachers in our schools. I wanted to become part of the solution. I began teaching at Camp Verde Middle School as the only special education resource teacher to 42 students. After struggling with that assignment for two years, I went to Cottonwood Middle School for one year as a sixth grade resource teacher and had the time of my life with a wonderful group of kids. In an attempt to make sure that my daughter had both parents in her life on a more regular basis, I took the first special education teaching position offered to me in Flagstaff. Little did I know, I had found my calling.  I have been the primary teacher of the Life Skills Program at Coconino High School for seven years. I am the head coach for the Coconino Panthers Special Olympics team, which competes in softball, floor hockey, basketball, cheerleading, and volleyball.   Other than my daughter and family, my students are my passion. 

Biography for Margoth Carrasquilla  My name is Margoth Carrasquilla and my passion has always been working with children and being a teacher. I knew from the time that I was in 5^th grade I wanted to work with students with disabilities. From that time forward I went forth to a career in teaching.

 I began by working with Special Olympics and have worked with Special Olympics for 22 years. I have had many roles in Special Olympics, a volunteer, chaperone, partner, coach, Head coach, Head of Delegation, and Area Director.

 I have worked for the Flagstaff Unified School District as a teacher for 6 plus years. I received a Dual major in Elementary Education and Special Education with an emphasis in low incidence disabilities. While working on my degree I worked in the Flagstaff Unified School District as a paraprofessional in a variety of classroom settings.