Two Olympic schools were honored recently when Microsoft Corp. announced the winners of the 2010 U.S. Innovative Education Forum, an event recognizing innovative teachers who creatively and effectively use technology in their curriculum to help improve the way students learn in the 21st century.
Only five high schools across the United States were chosen as finalists on the merit of pioneering innovative projects that also embrace the national Framework for 21st Century Skills, two of which were from the Olympic Community of Schools. The Olympic Math, Engineering, Technology, and Science School and the Olympic International Business and Communications Studies School were selected for their work.
“Technology adds a dynamic dimension to teaching, helping teachers engage their students in a new way,” said Olympic IBCS teacher LaFlavia Linton. “We are thrilled to be recognized for our work with project-based learning and having the opportunity to meet and learn from other finalists across the nation and the world.”
Six teacher-submitted high school projects in the United States were recognized by Microsoft and chosen as finalists for their innovation, three of which were created and pioneered at Olympic. English teacher Jennie Griffith and Social Studies teacher Mollie Peterson, from Olympic IBCS, were chosen for their Homeless & Poverty Project. Linton and International Studies and Global Economics teacher Mike Realon were honored for their work with the IBCS Apprentice Project. The project placed Career and Technical Education students in paid summer internships where they helped raise $70,000 to build a Habitat House.
“The theme of this year’s Microsoft’s IEF was ‘Inspire More’, and I can’t think of a more apt way to describe my experience with Olympic educators over the past few years. Being chosen as a national finalist at the IEF validates their efforts with creating new ways to better engage students as well as stakeholders in the community they serve,” said Marcie Davis, PFE group manager in the Microsoft Charlotte office.
Realon also represented the Olympic METS school, chosen for its Habitat House project which integrates the building of a Habitat for Humanity House on campus into its CTE curriculum.
The number of CTE construction mastery level test scores improved by more than 100 percent. The Olympic Community of Schools have also increased composite mastery level test scores by more than 65 percent since converting into a campus of five small schools four years ago.