June 11, 2007

RIDGEVIEW ACADEMY TEACHER HONORED

Ken Patrick, a science teacher at Ridgeview Academy Charter School in Latrobe, has been selected as a 2007 Keystone Technology Integrator at the regional level by the Pa Department of Education.

A technology integrator is a classroom teacher who fully utilizes the many benefits technology offers to improve instructional practices within the subject matter. The teacher does not focus on the technology itself but focuses on student learning and uses technology as a tool to support this end.

Patrick, of Greensburg, has been a Ridgeview Academy teacher for three years. He was nominated for the honor by Sherri Holler, chief administrative officer at Ridgeview.

“Several years ago, I gave up the traditional tools of education (chalkboards, overheads, transparencies) and converted to PowerPoint presentations in my classes,” said Patrick. “I found that the students were more attentive and involved in lessons when real life examples and illustrations were included in the presentations.”

Patrick began using more and more computer-based activities to draw students into learning.

“I noticed that students were developing new and creative approaches to problem-solving situations,” he added. “Students that refuse to complete worksheets out of a textbook will completely immerse themselves in a computer research assignment.”

Over 1,700 teachers from over 300 school districts across the state have been identified as Keystone Technology Integrators.

If selected at the state-level, Patrick will be invited to participate in a five-day summit at Shippensburg University July 15-19.

Ridgeview Academy Charter School, part of the Adelphoi USA organization, is a public school chartered through the Greater Latrobe School District. The school provides alternative secondary education for adjudicated and non-adjudicated youth in grades 6-12 who are classified as “disruptive.”