As the leader of St. Raphael’s Catholic School, I am dedicated to help my staff deliver an education of the highest quality. This requires all of us to make changes that will improve our educational program. We need to prepare our students to learn and work with people throughout the world. This type of education can be done through planning and the use of tools that were not readily available a few years ago.

Over the last two years we have made integrating technology into teaching and learning a priority. This change has allowed us to provide the students with the opportunity to gain the necessary skills they will need as adults. When I see the students at school I see the impact these changes have made on the development of the whole person. These differences are often small or subtle. This is fine as we are working on the foundation for the students and it is the combination of these changes that will have a long term impact. I understand that it might be more difficult for parents to see the value of this change since they are not at school each day. Even educators sometimes have a hard time explaining what they know and see daily in their work.

Recently, I was reading an article titled 8 More Reasons for Technology in Education by Arthur Virtue. He is enrolled in a masters program in instructional technology and I was intrigued by his comments. I have included an excerpt for you to read. The entire article is found here .

One member of our group, the executive assistant, asks the question “Why is technology so important in education?” After years in this grad class, we all scoffed at this question but actually failed in our attempts to give clearly defined answers. I think about this and decide to make a list for quick reference. If you are familiar with the term educational technology (using technology to enhance the teaching process), you will find little new ground here, but here goes:

1. Using technology involves the student in the learning process. Students using technology become active participants in the learning process instead of passive listeners.
2. Using technology eliminates most discipline problems. When the student is involved in the work, there is little time for trouble.
3. Using technology allows students to take ownership of the project. When the student is empowered to find his/her own answers, the learning process becomes much more interesting.
4. Using technology transforms the teacher from authority expert to facilitator. The teacher becomes more of a participant than authority expert when the students use technology to find answers online.
5. Using technology is familiar to today’s students. Technology use is part of the normal learning process for students; it is in their “comfort zone” and teachers often learn new technology programs along with students.
6. Using technology reduces the workload on the teacher. Technology as a tool enhances, and replaces, text, paper and pencil because students can use technology for both reference and presentation.
7. Using technology allows for a smooth transition from school to work and school to college . Technology is used everywhere - in math, science, engineering, transportation, manufacturing, and every business application you can think of. From sales transactions and inventory control, to e-commerce, the uses for technology are limitless.
8. Using technology allows for the free exchange of information. The widespread use of compatible word processing and graphic software programs allow information to be exchanged easier than ever before.

In the next few months keep these items in mind as you talk to your children about what they do at school each day. As you listen to their responses you may become more aware of the impact these changes have made on your child and the foundation we are building.

Some of my staff members and students have noticed my newly chosen title. I have not explained it to them but thought this is the proper place for them to hear the answer.

As an educator I learned very early in my career that the principal does affect a school’s climate and student achievement. I have worked under some fabulous principals that have made working with them a joy. The whole school was very positive, the students enjoyed attending school and the staff worked very hard to support each other. Unfortunately not all of my experiences have been that positive. My goal as the leader of St. Raphael is to create that same type of positive and supportive school that I was fortunate enough to experience.

One way in which I work is to lead by example. I have asked my staff to grow in their skills of using technology as a tool for teaching and learning. While expecting my staff to grow in their skills and knowledge I held myself to the same standard. Just like the teachers I have shared my successes and failures. Together we celebrate all the wonderful accomplishments we have made. We also support each other when things do not go as we had hoped. I wanted to start the school year off with this message so at my staff welcome breakfast I presented my first staff development motivational movie.

Mostly, I want my staff to understand that we are all learning so that led to my title change….Chief Learner of St. Raphael.