We received great news this week: we’ve been designated a Microsoft Mentor School for 2014; one of only three across Canada.
From the website: schools must demonstrate a commitment to innovation and the ability to overcome obstacles in preparing students to be 21st century learners. In addition, they must have developed programs that can serve as models for other schools.
It was interesting that Microsoft’s announcement focused on the Global Forum to be held in Barcelona in March. While it is a nice bonus that two of our faculty will be attending the Forum over March Break and connecting with educators from the 80 other Mentor Schools for a week (as well as all the newly appointed “Microsoft Expert Educators”) I am glad that the this milestone allows us to continue the conversation about being a resource for others.
Friends from PCMI will recognize that phrase — it’s been one of the three guiding principles of the PCMI teacher program and is one of my own personal pillars (Appleby College has six pillars, of which one is Technologically Empowered). I (and by assocation, Appleby) view our role as educators broadly — it’s not just our students in our classroom, or our faculty but it’s all students and all faculty. It’s seeking out people who have questions, sharing our story and learning theirs. And I hope that this gift from Microsoft will help us to do that more, more often and more deeply.
