 | Technology becomes meaningful and powerful when integrated into the everyday practice of teaching and learning. Whether creating movies about Chicago neighborhoods in Lower School, developing plans for global sustainability in Middle School, or researching global small business initiatives for micro loans in Upper School, students and teachers have access to a wide variety of tools and network resources to make connections. These tools foster collaboration and communication not only amongst students and teachers, but also with others from around the world, supporting student investigation of real-world problems. Teachers guide students to learn how to ask and answer questions, how to responsibly use information, and develop their voice in a variety of ways including text, pictures, audio and movies to communicate solutions and contribute positively.
Technology instruction in Lower School focuses on a wide variety of experiences using images, audio and video projects. As students mature, the focus shifts to integrating technology-enriching projects into the curriculum. The Academic Integrators meet regularly with faculty and students to teach skills needed to accomplish assignments. A suite of tools supports learning anytime, anywhere. Middle School and Upper School faculty and students use Haiku LMS for managing classroom resources and Google Applications for Education for collaboration. Using these tools, learners communicate and collaborate at their own pace, in their own style to contribute to their learning. |
| |  Katie KirschUpper School Academic Integrator Year Appointed: 2012 • Experience at Lake Bluff Middle School and ChicagoQuest charter school supporting technology and library initiatives • Summer work includes working at a public library in the Youth Services department • Virtual Communications Representative, Illinois School Library Media Association |
 Jeffrey ShawLower School Academic Integrator Year Appointed: 2012 • Experience teaching at Enders-Salk Elementary School in Schaumburg; Ravinia and Sherwood Elementary Schools in Highland Park, The T.A.S.I.S. England American School in Thorpe, Surrey, UK; and as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher at Brookhead Junior School in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England • Worked as a Promethean Training Consultant with Graphtech Systems in Deerfield |
 Lane YoungDirector of Library and Educational Technology Year Appointed: 2007 • Worked at Highland Park Public Library in various roles in Youth Services Department for over 10 years • Steering Committee Chair for Bluestem: Illinois’ 3rd-5th Grade Readers’ Choice Award |
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