Category: Archive (Page 9 of 13)

For their dedication to trying new ideas in their classrooms, six West Geauga teachers have been nominated for the 2010-2011 WEDGE Award. The nominees are Pat Wright, Brian Spotts, Natalie Cooper, Jim Croff, Mary Beth Alley and Teri Javorek.

The winner for the 2010-2011 school year will be announced August 23rd at the teacher’s Convocation breakfast at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year. The WEDGE Award recipient receives a $500 grant to be spent in the schools at their discretion.

Sponsored by WEDGE, the West Geauga Educational Foundation, the WEDGE Award is presented annually to a member of the West Geauga Schools community who shows an outstanding commitment to introducing and adopting innovative learning experiences. Nominations can be submitted by any member of the West Geauga Schools community, including teachers, administrators, students, parents and alumni. WEDGE trustees select the finalists and the winner.

2010-2011 School Year Nominees:

Pat Wright has been a mathematics teacher at West Geauga Middle School for over 10 years. In her tenure, she has demonstrated a constant and dedicated approach in dealing with students of varying abilities. Pat has incorporated technology through the use of her computers and SMART Board to enhance the students’ conceptual understanding of mathematics.

West Geauga High School teachers, Brian Spotts and Natalie Cooper, have both dedicated countless hours to the innovative Robotics program. Not only have they assisted our Robotics team students with computer programming and in the physics of Robot design, they have also advised and coached our students on a volunteer basis, to be able to compete at a state and national level.

Westwood Elementary teachers, Mary Beth Alley and Teri Javorek were nominated for the on-going professional growth they have demonstrated in using technology to engage their students. They have secured grants from WEDGE and other sources to enhance their instruction with the SMART Boards, projectors, document cameras and Senteo interactive response systems.

Jim Croff, a third Grade teacher at Lindsey Elementary is instrumental in teaching his students through the use of technology. Many of his lessons are SMART Board ready and are differentiated according to the needs of the students. He utilizes websites that match the state standards for his grade level, teaches his students how to design power-point presentations for reports and oral presentations and has been a lead-teacher in assisting the staff with technology needs.

The West Geauga Educational Foundation awards money for innovative and creative programs in the West Geauga School System. WEDGE helps those interested in finding better ways to teach and learn to try new approaches.

To learn more about WEDGE or to make a donation to the non-profit organization, please visit www.wgef.org.

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Media Contact
Caroline Concilla
[email protected]
440.729.8431

Westwood Elementary students follow directions using the HearBuilder Software program.

Students in Kathleen Cooey’s high school math classes are riding Boogie Boards to better learning. Not the watery kind. These Boogie Boards are paperless LCD writing tablets created by Kent State students.

Cooey received a grant from WEDGE, the West Geauga Educational Foundation, to try them in her classroom. WEDGE is a non-profit that has awarded $500,000 in grants for innovative and enriching techniques and technologies in West Geauga Schools during the past three decades.

When asked how the Boogie Boards are working, Mrs. Cooey stated, “The boards are fantastic! The first time we used them, it was like Christmas. The kids were interested in how they worked and thought it was really cool that Kent State students invented them. I have to say that the difference in effort and focus is noticeable as opposed to just doing paper and pencil problems….Thanks for the money to purchase these.  It has been great!”

The Boogie Boards not only provide students with the opportunity to use electronic writing tablets to complete problems in class, they are also an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional paper that allow for quick formative assessments.

Speech-Language Pathologist, Denise Gaskell also received a grant last fall for the HearBuilder Educational Software. HearBuilder is a SMART Board compatible, research-based software program that not only helps students to improve listening skills, such as sequencing, auditory memory, and phonological awareness, but also provides teachers with individualized progress monitoring.

Mrs. Gaskell states that the program is working wonderfully and that, “very often we start with programs like this in a special education setting and they work so well they are carried over into the general education setting helping many, many more students…That is definitely the case with the HearBuilder programs.”

The West Geauga Educational Foundation awards money for innovative and creative programs in the West Geauga School System. WEDGE helps those interested in finding better ways to teach and learn to try new approaches.

Please visit the programs page on our website for more information on approved programs and how to apply for funding. The primary qualifications to apply? A willingness to try new ideas, experiences, technology and programs with West Geauga students in and outside the classroom.

None of this is possible without financial support from the community. We thank those who attend our Thanksgiving Day Pancake Breakfast at the Chesterland McDonalds and our Spring fundraiser as well as those who contribute directly.

To learn more about the West Geauga Educational Foundation, please visit our website at https://wgef.org/. If you would like to help, attend one of our events or make a donation, please contact WEDGE President, Jerry Pignolet at 440-338-5196