Berea, KY—The Berea College GEAR UP Partnership hosted a Celebration of Work Well Done Banquet on April 16 for the GEAR UP Technology Cohort.  The Technology Cohort is comprised of 21 teachers from Berea Community Schools, Madison County, Lee County, Estill County and Rockcastle County school districts.

Each cohort member received a technology bundle that included  digital cameras, a notebook computer, an LCD projector and a printer/scanner/copier. Cohort members also participated in extensive professional development where they learned how to integrate technology into their classroom instruction.

The event, which was held in the Trustees Room of Berea College’s Seabury Center, celebrated the hard work the cohort did over an eight-month period.  Teachers set up a “gallery walk” of tabletop displays featuring examples of the work they and their students did, then dinner and certificate presentations followed.

Sally Robinson, a Technology Cohort member from Berea Community High School remarked, “The equipment and training enriched the way I teach.  It has decreased the boundaries of what I can do.” Mike Tate, Instructional Supervisor for Lee County, saw the cohort as an opportunity for teachers to network and exchange experiences to take back to their respective districts.  “It’s different people from different backgrounds sharing ideas,” said Tate.  “I’d like to do more of it.”

Mike Hogg, Berea Community Elementary School Principal, felt that the cohort helped teachers gain confidence to “let go,” or to trust technology as a tool for themselves and students.  “It was a source of encouragement and support, and [the teachers] struggled together and learned together.”  As for the banquet, Hogg said, “Too often, we feel like we don’t have time to stop and celebrate, and we should.”

Kim Gardner, Professional Development Coordinator for GEAR UP, was glad to show the teachers her appreciation.  “We have been so pleased with all the creative projects that the cohort has developed,” Gardner said.  “The educators in the cohort took this experience very seriously and have done a great job integrating technology into their classroom instruction which will pay dividends in student achievement for years to come.”