Becker Public Schools & Gayle Berthiaume Consulting
Big Lake, Minnesota, USA
Nominators:
Joan O'Brian
Educator
Colleague
Nathan Bucher
Educator
Colleague
How Has Your Nominee Been a Trailblazer Implementing Technology into Instruction?
Gayle has used technology in her K, 1, 2 classrooms since the Apple IIe days. Gayle has integrated technology into her classroom since 1985. Anytime she discovered a new technology or technique, whether it was a computer, interactive whiteboard or podcasting, she immediately thought of how she could use it in her classroom. Gayle is passionate about technology and her enthusiasm transferred to her young students. Her students loved podcasting so much that they wanted to create episodes for everything they did - even show and tell. Daily her students learned to use technology and enjoyed using the class website, First Grade Online, for Internet inquiries, to display their work and to communicate with their parents. Gayle and her students also teach other teachers and their classes how to do projects using technology. Gayle was on the District Technology committee for 10 years helping make decisions for her school and developing a technology plan. She helped write the technology curriculum guide for the Becker School District. For the past 15 years as a consultant and trainer, with a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Gayle has been helping teachers throughout the nation learn about technology, the Internet and creative uses for them in the classroom. She enjoys presenting and collaborating with other teachers online and in person. Gayle has been a Tech Tutor and a Grade 1-2 Teacher Mentor on Scholastic.com. She has served on Scholastic’s National Advisory Board, Apple Distinguished Educator National Advisory Board, the Apple Learning Interchange Editorial Review Board, and the International Reading Association's Technology, Communication and Literacy committee. Gayle was Classroom Connect's Internet Educator of the Year - Central USA. Gayle has also been teacher of the year for Becker Public Schools. Gayle has published exhibits featuring integrated technology on the Apple Learning Interchange. John Couch, Vice-President Education, Apple Inc. has used her exhibits as examples in his presentations, including one to the United Nations.Gayle continues to learn, to teach others and to be an early adopter of technology. Currently Gayle is learning to write apps for the iPad/iPhone/iPod.
