Schuyler Observation

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Mary Frances PinsonFebruary 16, 2012Observation 2: Stephanie Schuyler, Glynn County School System- DistrictLearning Center

•8:00-11:00AM

- We met in the small conference room of the county’s DistrictLearning Center (DLC). This training was an overview of a pilotprogram and the new elements associated with the StudentLongitudinal Data System (SLDS). The training was done byWendy Grey is a representative of the Department of Education.In this meeting were representatives of each school in thecounty. This included principals, assistant principals, orinstructional coaches of each elementary, middle, and highschool. The county’s assistant superintendent was present alongwith head of Professional Development, and the county’s

instructional coordinator.- This data system is an all-inclusive online tool for teachers and

administrators to use that can take the place of cumulativefolders that hold students test records and personal information.All their information can be held in this online tool. Often times,school systems will purchase a program that records students intheir specific school system. SLDS will carry student’s recordswith them across the state. It would not matter what school inGeorgia, these records will quickly follow them.

- Mrs. Grey was encouraging the attendees of the meeting toshare this with their staff in an enthusiastic way that this data is

easier to use and a quick look at getting to know their studentsfaster than waiting on the cumulative folders.

- This data system is also a great tool for teachers to use withparent conferences for parents to see the progress or areas of concern easily in graphic forms.

- As a teacher in this training, I was very impressed with this datasystem and talked to my principal, who was at this training, andwas on board to use this at our school. My principal also askedme to begin sharing this information with my grade level team.She also asked for my help at the staff meeting when this isbeing rolled out into our school system next year.

• 11:00-11:30AM- After the training, Mrs. Schuyler showed me around the District

Learning Center and introduced me to the staff in the office.During this time, she shared with me how she became the GlynnCounty Instructional Technology Coordinator.

Previously, she taught at a local Glynn County school forfour years. Here she taught 2nd grade. She then applied for



a position as an Instructional Technology Specialist.

She shared that she loved her position as an IT Specialist.Her favorite part was being able to work closely withteachers and help integrate technology in the classrooms.She met with teachers and had time to visit classrooms to

assist the teachers. In 2010 her position as the IT Specialist was dissolved. She

thought she needed to find a new position or potentially goback into the classroom, however, her boss at the time,who was the IT Coordinator, resigned. Mrs. Schuyler wasasked to apply for the position.

She accepted the position and has been in this role sincethen. She has enjoyed her job as the IT Coordinator, butshe misses her active participation with teachers andworking so closely with them.

She told me, “Since day one, each day I am learning

something new about this job.” Very similar to Mr. Knight,she shared that each day brings something new.

- Below I will list the responsibilities and duties of Mrs. Schuyler asthe Instructional Technology Coordinator that she shared withme during this time.

• 11:30AM-12:00PM- During this time, Mrs. Schuyler and I unpacked two document

cameras. There is a representative that will be coming to showthese cameras to us at 1:00PM.

- Mrs. Schuyler has the responsibility of approving the equipmentthat is used in the classrooms. She is looking at these twodocument cameras, because Glynn County is opening a newmiddle school in August of 2012. The classrooms will need to beequipped with an ActiveBoard and a document camera.Classrooms of the county are currently using ELMO documentcameras. However, ELMO’s now cost about $600. These camerasthat will be shown to us today are half the cost.

- We unpacked the cameras and uploaded the software to use thecameras on her office computer. One camera was substantiallybigger than the other, and we both concluded that the smallerone would be a better fit for the middle school classrooms. Weplayed around with the features of the smaller documentcamera.

• 12:00-1:00PM- Mrs. Schuyler and I left the office for lunch. We went to a local

restaurant. During lunch we got to know each other on a better



professional terms. I asked her about her experience in theclassroom prior to her move into the role of InstructionalCoordinator. She also asked me how I am currently using thetechnology in my classroom. She shared other resources that areavailable for me to use. I really enjoyed this time to talk to Mrs.

Schuyler.

• 1:00-2:30PM- The representative for the document cameras came during this

time and modeled the document cameras.- During this meeting, he showed us the features of the software

and the cameras. At one time the meeting got off track, becausethe camera we were interested in viewing did not work for himduring the demonstration. He had to go to his car to get anothercamera of the same model to show us. I felt bad for him, becausehe wanted to show us this product.

- We did not look at the big and bulky document camera. Mrs.Schuyler shared her concerns of the camera and why it wouldnot work best in the middle school classroom.

- In the end and with all the complications, Mrs. Schuyler and Ishared that overall we were not impressed with either documentcamera.

- She asked me as a classroom teacher what did not appeal to mewith these cameras. I shared with her my concern that whenteachers have trouble with something technology based, theyare quick give up to keep the students engaged. But it is alsofrustrating to have something work one time and then not

another time. Teachers like things to be reliable. She agreed andwas ready to move forward with a different document camera.

• 2:30-3:30PM- For the next hour, Mrs. Schuyler logged into a webinar for the

two of us to listen to.- The webinar was covering an issue about students bringing their

own digital devices, such as smart phones, iPads, or any tabletinto the classroom.

- The pros of this are that it would save schools money where theydo not have to spend the funds to fill classrooms with tablets or

other digital devices.- The cons, and what this webinar was covering is that students

use proxy sites to go around school system’s firewalls and theyare able to access social media sites and other blocked websites. This is a concern for administrators and teachers.

- The webinar had several people conversing the pros and cons of this issue.

- As the webinar was going, Mrs. Schuyler took this time to listen



and to catch up on e-mails.- At the end of the webinar, we talked about what we heard. We

both felt like there were more cons to students bringing theirown digital devices, that school systems and administratorswould feel more confident in the uses and educational purposes

of these devices being used if they were protected securely.

• 3:30-4:00PM- For the last half hour, Mrs. Schuyler and I talked about my

degree and where I am headed after I complete this program.- She shared with me that she is currently working on her

Specialist degree through Valdosta State University. She isgetting her degree in Instructional Technology with the MediaCertification.

- She is working on this degree where she may find herself movinginto the role of a media specialist. This way she can move back

into a position that works closely with teachers.

I really enjoyed this day with Mrs. Schuyler. It was good to see this side of the school system, just not in the classroom. I hope to stay in contact withher.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Meets with the Glynn County librarians one time a month.- Budgets- Meets with principals to go over Title 1 funds.

- A lot of answering phone calls and e-mails.- Attends all teacher advisory meetings.- Attends monthly principals meetings- Serves on the Districts Media Team and Common Core rollout

team.- Serves as the admin for SuccessMaker, Eduphoria, Destiny,

PD360, Teacher Gradebook, and Infinite Campus.- Provides reports to district administration for usage reports.- Administers the 8th Grade 21st Century Skills Assessment.- Title 2-D Grant admin.- Makes revisions to the Glynn County tech plan every three years.

- Trains teachers.- Maintains the instructional technology material center.- Webmaster

Documents

Schuyler Observation