Talking+Points+DC

Don's presentation to the faculty follows this email. Don Cravens sent this to the tech committee on 3/12/2010 cc: Keith and Pabby Dear Kathy,

We **//will//** be asking for teacher feedback, support and commitment as a matter of fact. However, the APTA at this point could not fund the whole project, right? So if they want to fund some SMART Boards that school administration will determine installation locations, then maybe the rest could be funded by the other fundraising effort that Christine Anderson is spearheading.

However, given that there are concerns from APTA, then the consideration of a mini-grant opportunity is interesting because it could allow those teachers who were really interested, to apply to APTA and possibly be funded first. But, __isn’t that what we already do???__ Teachers make a request (a table, Junior Great Books or whatever) and the APTA decides whether to fund it? Best case scenario would be that the APTA would get 40 applications which in and of itself will be a great indicator. If the APTA wishes to control the location of the SMART boards, this is one way that could be accomplished. However, we must be ready to make amends for those who don’t meet the expectations of the APTA Board, get their application in late or who get left out due to lack of money. I also know that when it becomes a competitive grant situation, there are those very good teachers who are not comfortable being a part of that and conversely, there could be others who thrive on the competition.

I do have major concerns about a competitive grant causing a polarity, but if the APTA wants to decide who to fund, that is up to the APTA. They already do this anyway at an individual level. Personally, I do not have the knowledge to help with those decisions. The difference up to now has been that the APTA has noted that some projects are individual in nature and can stand alone, while others are best implemented as a school-wide initiative and to fund only part of a school wide initiative (even if it was implemented incrementally, on a yearly basis as the last technology initiative was) would not be equitable to all students.

I believe it would be prudent to consider whether making a decision to fund one teacher at the second grade level (for instance) and not funding all second grade classrooms will create questions that later will be difficult to answer with equity and justice. So, to continue with this line of thinking, if the APTA is determined to fund at their discretion, possibly taking applications from an entire grade level (2nd) or an entire section of the school (Primary, Intermediate, or Middle School) might be a consideration.

It also occurs to me that to benefit the entire school, we should ask the question: “If the initiative exists for another individual or group to fundraise for the remaining amount not funded by APTA or if the APTA chooses to either not fund at all or to fund on a limited basis, would this stifle the fundraising process for the whole district and all of our students by Ms. Anderson or others?

Our plans are to **proceed with the expectation, consideration and hope that the SMART technology will be a school-wide initiative**, however I will not speak for 75 staff members at this point and assure you they WILL use it. Our hope is that we can generate enough excitement so that we will have a great deal of buy-in and commitment from our staff. When I believe we have succeeded in doing that, I will wholeheartedly endorse the project with a letter. I’m sold now, but if anyone wants me to say that I will seek to fire staff who are not using the product, I will not make that commitment. That would border on an illegal firing as well as whether the ethics, reasonableness, prudence and professionalism would be evident to justify this. I would hate to think that is what people want, but to “ hold to the highest accountability standards” really doesn’t leave much room for anything else. When I feel comfortable that there will be a high level of interest and buy-in with staff at the point of implementation, again, I reiterate, I will certainly provide a strong letter of support. I believe I should know that by around March 19th or so, and in fact, we are making provisions to provide this opportunity for staff today.

It has been made clear to the administration, by me, that I have very high hopes that our staff will buy into this initiative. I think our administrative team is as excited as I am in this endeavor. I also think that we have some top-notch people on staff who are also excited and can influence a great majority of the staff. Our new Teacher Evaluation forms that should be approved at the next Board meeting have a new component on technology that has been mandated by KDE, AND, we have also discussed using Professional Growth plans as another means to have the expectation that staff will use cutting edge technology in the classroom. If the SMART technology is adopted and funded, certainly that would be a major component of any those expectations.

It should be noted that to the untrained observer who walks down our hallways, it might appear at times that technology is not being utilized. Students are at PE, Music, Art, Foreign Language, Recess, Lunch, bathroom, and it is probably not turned on then. There are still going to be times when the use of the technology might not be a part of the regular instruction. Years ago, it was said that we wouldn’t need teachers since we would have computers to do the teaching. We have found that the personal touch is needed more than ever, now that we have computers. We don’t expect that textbooks are open on every student’s desk at all times, nor do we expect that a teacher would begin speaking at 8:00 a.m. and not stop until 2:55 p.m. The point is that if you walk down the hallway and don’t see the equipment on and in use, that is no reason to assume that teachers never use it. How many of us have asked our kids, “What did you learn today?” I’d be willing to bet that well over 50% of the time, the response is “Nothing.” However, assessments, promotions from one grade to the next, entrance into high quality high schools and colleges and success in life indicate differently. I have three sons, whom if I believed what they said (relative to what they learned each day), I would have just kept them at home and not allowed them to go back to school. However, there is hope! One is in Graduate School and continues to show success. The second will graduate soon and no doubt will begin in the working world making his own way (thank goodness :>)!

Without it being a punitive measure, we have also inquired about the ability for this product to monitor and report to administration, the use of the product and training opportunities attempted, achieved and mastered. While we await a definitive answer, it appears it is a very good possibility. Certainly, administration will not be asking for this for our reading pleasure nor for the ability to share personal information outside of the administrative/individual teacher relationship. It will not be used solely as a punitive situation for staff, but rather to create opportunities for staff to grow and thereby improve their performances which will improve Anchorage School.

If anyone, (other teachers, staff, parents, students), want me to share //specific// personal information about individual staff members, as to who is using technology and the degree to which they are using it, or if I would be okay allowing administrative staff to also share this information, they are going to be very disappointed. To do this is illegal, unethical, unprofessional and neither prudent nor reasonable. Maybe this is where the term “Talking out of School” came from. If this has been done in the past, that is unfortunate that those expectations have been set, but we have new expectations now.

A of now, we **are** planning training for all staff to participate in the first Basic 1 training on the SMART technology and I believe this is tentatively scheduled for this Spring. This is certainly subject to change should we find that this initiative is not attainable. The funding of the SMART technology is certainly not in the district budget at this time and if it cannot happen, we certainly have other areas of needed training which we will schedule to address those issues which our staff feel are important for them to continue to provide what we believe is a quality education measured at any level, whether it be state, federal, national or international. We face this issue every time we have a Professional Development opportunity. It is expected that if we commit time and resources to the topic, it will be utilized. Yes, we do sometimes see a large degree of difference in how the training is used and implemented, but we have prepared our staff for the opportunity when it presents itself.

I have certainly heard and sensed what is being said on the APTA Board, and I respect this. I would inquire if this initiative is decided and determined by the APTA Board or the APTA membership as a point of my understanding? I think you know me well enough by now to know that I understand the concerns because I can easily correlate them to my own personality and my own practices. We want to make good use of our resources and to do otherwise is foolish. I have already modeled this concept by not only asking key questions of the vendors and members of the technology committee that most likely will trim thousands of dollars from the original quote, but I also met with the administrative team yesterday to begin the same process, both at the administrative level and at the classroom level. After I met with the vendors and a couple of members of the Technology Committee, I felt strongly enough about it to schedule a meeting with the Adm. Team the next day. I then agreed to meet with the entire faculty on the very next day (today). Believe me, it did not take a lot of arm twisting to encourage me to do this. I believe this timeline is an example of **my** commitment which has already been passed on to the administration and I sense strong commitment at that level. I feel that it will continue on down, but better yet, I think it will also continue upward from classroom staff (especially with our very strong teacher leaders, some of whom are on the Technology Committee and some who are not) and I believe (and hope) that it will meet in the middle with a resounding crash of positive energy to support the project!

I cannot see why we would spend $150,000 to allow this technology to sit idle in a darkened room. However, as stated earlier, even the best of the best will utilize the technology to varying degrees, depending on their styles, personality and even subject matter. I can say that if we are going to bring all of this into our school, the expectation will be there from me that we use it in the classroom, in professional growth plans and in walk-thru observations by administration. I expect clarification on the total school commitment in time for the March 23,2010 APTA meeting. Personally, I believe it would be best to commit to all of our children with the SMART technology instead of selected classes, but I certainly respect everyone’s role and beliefs on this subject, be they parents, teachers, administration, APTA or whomever. I believe the next week or so will tell us a lot. Kathy, I appreciate your insights, support and communications. I have sent this communiqué to those for whom I intended my audience to be, however, I have written this extensive commentary on public domain, so I realize what others do with it is beyond my control.

Thanks for all your help, support and encouragement.

With Respect for All,

Don


 * From: ** Kathy Kerpestein [mailto:kkerpestein@insightbb.com]
 * Sent:** Friday, March 12, 2010 9:27 AM
 * To:** Cravens, Don--Superintendent; Christine; Collard, Lee--DTC; Sears, Ellen; Morgan, Sherrie; Steltenpohl, Karen; Killinder, Misty
 * Cc:** Waford, Keith--Principal
 * Subject:** Re: talking points

Christine I too am going to use some of your talking points today when I meet with the APTA board. I will use descretion, but think they are very well done and will be helpful for those who aren't yet convinced that this is the right way to go.

Don, I will tell you that some on the APTA board are extremely concerned that we not "give" these board to teachers who either don't want them or will not enthusiastically become trained on them. I have expressed my thoughts to them that we cannot "police" how these boards are given or mandate training as an APTA board, but this has fallen on deaf ears and they are insistant that the admin. hold the faculty to the highest accountability standards if we are going to fundraise for this equipment. I have tried to be sensible and I have talked till I'm blue in the face, and I will again today, but I wanted you to know this. I think using some of Christine's talking points will continue to answer some of the ongoing questions about whether or not this technology is what we need. I would really like to hear some of their (the teacher's) feedback if possible. KK - Original Message -
 * From: ** Cravens, Don--Superintendent
 * To: ** Christine ; Kathy Kerpestein ; Collard, Lee--DTC ; Sears, Ellen ; Morgan, Sherrie ; Steltenpohl, Karen ; Killinder, Misty
 * Cc: ** Waford, Keith--Principal
 * Sent: ** Friday, March 12, 2010 8:34 AM
 * Subject: ** RE: talking points

Today, I am going to meet with teachers on this topic. I was asked to meet with teachers after meeting with the administrative team yesterday. I hope to keep my presentation short and possibly allow others on this email to have their say. In fact, it will certainly be well received if teacher colleagues also speak in support of the product.

Chris,

Your talking points are a very good outline and I’d like to use them to some degree as a guide for my talk. Further, would you mind if I might modify them a bit if I chose to share them, only with staff, at our faculty meeting today?

Thanks,

Don

Presented to the faculty: ANCHORAGE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TOTAL FACULTY MEETING SMART TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE March 12, 2010 BACKGROUND: <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Other “Talking Points” are being developed for use with APTA and Fundraising in the Anchorage Community, but not ready for distribution, so I have developed my own from my perspective. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Current Technology initiative from Technology Committee was 2005 or 2006. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Inter-write technology chosen. APTA chose to fund on a piecemeal basis beginning with 8th grade/middle school <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· APTA continued to fund about two grade levels per year. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· At this point, K-2 is not funded, as well as Essential Arts and Practical Living. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· We did receive some funding this past fall for three classrooms. CURRENT SITUATION: <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· School/District Technology Committee began meeting last fall and after evaluation, determined that SMART technologies/boards is new direction with best possibilities for our students. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Questions about whether a bad decision was made at that time. (Beta, VHS, DVD, cell phone technology, technology changes, etc.) <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Questions about recent donations to buy equipment and then replace 6 months later. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Concerns about actual use and implementation of Inter-write product. WHAT I HAVE SEEN, MY THOUGHTS, DIRECTION WE ARE GOING. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Met with Pomeroy, a distributor for the SMART technology. We have solicited and received 4 bids. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· With the Model Procurement code, we are not locked into the lowest price, but can use other factors to make our decision. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Pomeroy spent considerable time doing a walkthrough evaluation and submitted a bid based on that detailed tour of the whole school. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· After meeting with Pomeroy, I am highly impressed by the company, personnel, commitment and especially everything included such as installation, training, warranty and commitment to continued service. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· An abundance of training opportunities will be offered: <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Two sessions of Basic 1 training offered this spring (if funding becomes available). <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Two sessions of Basic 2 training offered this fall. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· User group training five times during the next year that will be specific to not only the user groups, (middle school, intermediate, K-2, 3-4, etc.) but also to troubleshoot specific problems of those user groups as well as to develop and train on specific topics unique and requested by those user groups. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Monthly webinar training that is free <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· The ability to review and train on past monthly webinar trainings. EXCITING COMPONENTS FROM MY STANDPOINT AS A FORMER TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Lessons can be developed and saved either on the spot or at an earlier time. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Documentation of activities for reference. You want to refer back to a specific lesson date, Student says we didn’t do that……Parent says that wasn’t covered. You can refer back to the exact date and time. Much the same as how now we save emails for future reference. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Lessons can be added to on the spot ( example: geometry and spontaneity)\ <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Lessons can be emailed to students or parents for review, remediation. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Absent students can be kept in the loop much easier! (One of the top reasons!) <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Lessons can be developed for substitute teachers or emailed in advance. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Other Lessons can be accessed on the website for our own use and conversely, we can share our own lessons on that website. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· A Body of Evidence or Body of Work can be developed to use for future classes. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Easy insertion of graphs, charts, videos within a lesson. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Use as a TV. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Student interactive – they will probably know more than we will. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· The ability to more easily address specific populations, such as Special Needs Students or Gifted and Talented. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Many others could be generated………. PROCESS <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Evaluation by departments to prioritize need in each department given limited resources. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Mr. Waford and Ms. Hayes will coordinate these activities. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Fundraising will determine depth of implementation, but the recommendation at this time is for a whole school project, not piecemeal. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Fundraisers and APTA President have requested letters of support and commitment from Superintendent and School administration. Individual letters will not be shared without the specific permission of the writer. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· I cannot write a letter of support until I know from the people at the point of instruction (the classroom teachers) whether the commitment is there. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· I cannot assure commitment on your behalf (teachers). WHAT IS NEEDED NOW? <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Written thoughts/commitment from departments and or individual teachers. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· We need a strong commitment from our school for me to recommend and to validate need for this project. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Department, Grade Level Commitment with signatures. (Hate to put them on the spot, but needed). <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Since this is a school wide commitment and initiative, we will assume that everyone is “all in” unless you state otherwise. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· However, with the economy as it is, Strategic Planning, etc. I cannot see that any of us can “opt out” and not participate. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· So, if the funding is there, we need to be committed <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· STRONG BELIEF – It will enhance student learning, save you time and make your job easier. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Commitment means commitment to training, continued and regular use of the product, growth as a professional to make you a better educator which in turn will make our school stronger, participation with colleagues and allowing student use. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Individual letters are also welcome and will strengthen our perceived need. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· APTA meets on March 23, to consider request, so this would be needed by March 19, 2010 at the latest. SUMMARIZE: <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· I see great potential for the SMART technology to be a positive influence on the education of our students. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Many times, what is best for kids does not always have the potential to make our jobs as educators easier, but <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· This product can not only save us time, but it can strengthen our Body of Work, more clearly document all aspects of our educational process, not only for the benefit of student learning, but also for referral to past practices, events, and actions. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Allow us to prepare for substitute teachers to allow the educational process to continue uninterrupted. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Maybe most importantly, allow us to address special populations which we now have a difficult time of meeting their needs. We can also be proactive with PR on these special populations. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· We need “Statements of Need” from departments or groups as designated by school administration. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Individual letters of support. <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Willingness to move forward.