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Ed Tech Star of the Month


March 2021 - Gisselle Flores


Name
Gisselle Flores
What Do You Teach?
4th grade - Math & Science

Where Do you Teach?

James Bowie Elementary School
How Long Have You Been Teaching?
1 year

Students using technologyHow Does Educational Technology Play a Role in Your Classroom?
Educational Technology is an instrumental resource in my elementary classroom. As a new teacher, I have been blessed with students that have a true yearning towards the use of technology. Due to their interest in online resources, we can utilize engaging applications and sites on their devices, building a foundation for student success. In my classroom, I can complete the majority of my lesson in one place utilizing either Nearpod or Peardeck while students are actively participating.

How Do You Find Technology in the Classroom Helpful?

Technology in the classroom has been beneficial in several ways. Although we as teachers were brought into this technologically enriched year without brakes, I do believe full emersion is the best route! Through technology, I can hold students accountable for their individualized learning. I also find technology helpful in terms of my own organization (gone are the times of paper grading!). Through different resources, we can create templates for assignments, connect them with Google Classroom and have them graded with a few clicks. For example, I love utilizing teachermade.com. I am able to upload a PDF worksheet, choose how I want the assignment graded, and distribute the assignment to my students on Google Classroom. I highly recommend looking into it, it’s very helpful!

What Is Your Favorite Piece of Classroom Technology? Why?
My favorite piece of classroom technology is my iPad, I have paired it with a stylus so that I can annotate when needed while walking the room. This allows me to assess student understanding while continuing with a lesson. I have memories of my teacher standing in front of the class with a projector and dry erase marker while we did not always follow along. I feel released from the stationary constraints my predecessors held in the past with my iPad.
 
What Is On Your Technology Wish List For Your Classroom? Why?
My wish list would include stylus for my students; virtual notetaking would really take any classroom to the next level. Currently, I have students write their notes on paper, take a photo with their device, and upload it to the files or notes app. They love having their notes at home and we have not had many instances of lost papers. Although, this process currently works, I believe a stylus would increase efficiency in my classroom.

What Do You Love Most About Teaching?
I love seeing the ah-ha moments the most. Seeing student confidence grow and their determinization to not give up makes my day!
 
Nominated by:Students using technology
Mariam Augustin, Teacher - James Bowie Elementary
"Gisselle uses a variety to technology applications such as Pear Deck, Nearpod, Quizizz, Kahoot, Gimkit, and more with her students. She is always open to leaning new technology or even sharing new apps and websites with her the team. Lastly, she created a YouTube channel that her students can refer to at any time for help with skills and strategies."