10 Schools Receive Jump Start Grants
Teachers from 10 schools received classroom technology grants this month in the second DYMO/Mimio Jump Start Grant program. Another classroom tech grant program, Bridging the Gap, is currently accepting applications.
The Jump Start Grant program awarded prizes to teachers in nine states.
"Each of the winning teachers exhibited unique approaches to creatively engage their students with interactive teaching technology," said Magen McGahee, leader of federal programs and district initiatives, in a prepared statement. "They really took time to prove their need and developed ideas and plans on implementing the equipment beyond just the standard uses, showing passion for turning their classroom into an active learning environment."
The prize package for the grant program included MimioTeach, a technology that turns standard whiteboards into interactive whiteboards; a MimioView document camera; a wireless MimioPad tablet (an interactive input device that works in conjunction with MimioTeach-based whiteboards; and onsite training.
2011 grant recipients included:
- Rebecca Penina Simon, Bais Yaakov School for Girls, Owings Mill, MD;
- Tracy Wilson, Circle Middle School, Circle Unified School District #375, Benton, KS.
- Suzanne Shermak, Floyd M. Jewett Elementary School, Mesick Consolidated Schools, Mesick, MI;
- Denise Dickens, Francis Marion Military Academy, Marion County Public Schools, Ocala, FL;
- Julie Bass, Grace Christian Academy, Knoxville, TN;
- Teresa Stephens, Hurricane High School, Putnam County Schools, Hurricane, WV;
- Susan Matican, John C. Mead School, Ansonia School District, Ansonia, CT;
- Jan Sonnenberg, Patrick Henry Middle School; Patrick Henry Local School District, Hamler, OH;
- Monique Lynch, Sawgrass Elementary, Broward County School District, Sunrise, FL; and
- Allison Gallacher and Ryan Lundergan, Sewanhaka High School, Sewanhaka Central High School District, Floral Park, NY.
DYMO/Mimio is currently running another school grant program, this one a competitive program called Bridging the Gap. It will award classroom technology packages consisting of:
- Five MimioTeach systems;
- Five MimioPad tablets;
- Five MimioView document cameras;
- Five Headsprout Reading Comprehension licenses; and
- Onsite training for the tools.
Grant applicants will be asked to describe their need for the technologies and provide specific details about the proposed implementation and use of the tools. Applicants will be required to meet certain criteria in order to be considered: They must have projectors already installed in classrooms where the systems will be used; and they must agree to receive training in the use of the tools (provided free). Winners will also be required to agree to "serve as a local reference site for prospective customers that want to view the products in use," among other conditions.
Two classroom packages will be awarded. Applications are due Nov. 25.
Additional details about the Bridging the Gap program, including more detailed criteria and a downloadable application, can be found on DYMO/Mimio's grant portal.