Jerry Martin Jerry MartinI'm a retired Public School teacher. My priest brother at St. Francis (an inner city parish) wanted me to help out. Then came the opportunity to get into computers. I asked, "How do you turn them on??" I really didn't know. I know children are children but I wanted to know how good our students were or could be in relation to others. Once they saw that they were as good as, and sometimes better, than other students, maybe this would help break this terrible cycle of poverty!!
My job at school, also is very important to me. From planning lessons to giving workshops sharing all with other. Mostly to help all kids gain a desire to learn, and understand we can all succeed, some with more work than others, some in different areas...but all are winners!
The internet came to our school at a time when I still felt students were not successful in math because they did not learn their basic facts. The computer games we had seemed to be exciting to those who knew their facts, but not the child that really needed to learn. Developing an online project seemed the answser to movitation to help all become better. Meeting Jerry Martain, lead to such an exchange, bringing benifits to children in both of our schools now beyond!
I evolved from a mother volunteer to computer guru in our school..showing how little anyone knew. When the adminstration created a computer lab, nine years ago and gave it to me, I said "Someday we will talk to Russia" all thought I was a bit farfetched, but today we do have epals in Russia and around the world. I believe telecommunications allows teachers to teach to students hearts as well as their minds. I feel global friendship is obtainable through our children, hopefully making a better world.
I have been blessed to have worked with computers for nine years, sharing with my students and others in our community. I am proudest that I model what I teach...education is never ending.
St. Julie of Billiart School where Jean
Stringer teaches.