The Gramon School (K-6) and the Glenview Academy (7-12) are private, state-approved, non-sectarian day schools for students who have educational disabilities that cannot be properly addressed in public schools. Eden Robertiello and her full-time assistant Carolyn D'Amico run a classroom that aims to maximize the potential of their students. Eden's philosophy on education includes working to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners, the importance of catching students being good, and creating a strong bond between teacher and teaching assistant.

Each student has a computer in the classroom; the goal is to make technology a critical tool for teaching and learning, not just an added attraction. Needless to say, classroom management plays a key role in establishing a successful technology-infused classroom.

This summer, Eden and Carolyn took part in a summer workshop conducted by IDE's Tanya Bosco to learn how to design a more learner-active, technology-infused classroom.^™ Sally and Tanya created a workshop Web site to model what the teachers would develop for their students. Eden and Carolyn developed their intranet site so that their students can:

Locate and fill in their daily schedule

Communicate with staff through e-mail

Link to school web site to locate menus, calendar, and other events

Complete assignments

Print off their homework assignments

Link to other sites for skills practice

Share classroom happenings

Display photos

Link to sites to complete research or locate information

Preview upcoming events

Link to Health Class site

Take tests

Learn about books for reading class

Eden and Carolyn are dedicated to using technology in the classroom. Last year, that included having students design digital portfolios, conduct Internet research, graph survey results in a spreadsheet, and more. For the 2003-2004 school year, they intend to expand the list to include daily use of the intranet site, Jason on-line, hyperlinking narrative, and greater email communication between staff and teachers.

Eden's Philosophy

It is my belief, that, since students, especially in special education, have individual needs and learning styles, I need to be flexible enough to teach to these differences. I modify and adapt my assignments, tests, and teaching strategies to accommodate the needs of my students. I spend a good part of my day catching my students being good. Unless they break a major infraction, I can usually put an end to inappropriateness with a look, friendly reminder whispered in the ear, pointing to our point cards or their goal card, or a quick conversation in the hallway.

I do not ask my students to do anything that I would not do myself. They know this to be true because I have even gone as far as participating in Phys Ed classes with them.

My assistant, Carolyn, and I use our individual strengths to complement each other. We admit our weaknesses and mistakes. I feel this helps the students realize that making mistakes is part of the learning process and everyone at any age or position in life makes mistakes and has weaknesses. For the most part, we treat our students and each other the way we want to be treated. We model the behaviors we would like to see our students display.

We share the responsibilities of the classroom. I have the utmost respect for Carolyn, and empower her by giving her equal billing. We don't allow the students to play us against each other or any other staff member in the building.







Eden's Classroom Management

This is an area where I am strict with my staff and my students. Carolyn and I are on the same page when it comes to enforcing school and classroom rules. Students know that the rules are there for their safety and the safety of those around them. We are in constant communication with each other and the support staff within the school. This prevents the students from putting a staff member against another.

To be effective as a team, I insist that assistants/staff member who is involved in a situation take responsibility for assigning the consequence. If I feel a consequence may have been too harsh, I will sit down with that assistant/staff member, discuss it, and come to a compromise. Then to empower that staff person, I will have that person explain the change in consequence. Even though I have the final say as the classroom teacher, I do not run my class like a dictatorship/monarchy. I am open for suggestions and willing to try anything to improve my classroom.

Carolyn and I always try to start our students day off positively. One of us greets the students with a smile as they enter the building. We encourage them to eat breakfast and ask about what they did since they were last in school.

Technology Uses

Ways in which we used technology in our classroom last year were:

• Used a scanner to scan pictures
• Used the internet to complete research
• Used a digital portfolio to track their goals, feelings, and accomplishments
• Used slide presentations for projects
• Used a digital camera to take pictures
• Used a word perfect program to type reports
• Used cd rom games and games on the internet to practice drills and skills
• Used the internet to find clip art and add it to their reports, portfolios, and slide presentations
• Used an electronic correspondence journal to communicate with classroom staff
• Used pictures of events in classroom, and wrote a brief synopsis to put on the school's web site.
• Used e-mail to communicate with supervisor and other teachers
• Used Print Master Gold to create holiday and birthday cards for staff and students in the building
• Used the printer and digital camera to create pictures for photo frames students made as gifts
• Used a graphics program to create invitations for special events
• Used spread sheets to graph data the students collected