TFEE Provides Technology Tools for Teachers

The Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence (TFEE) is proud to announce an exciting new program for Troy School District teachers for the 2020-2021 school year. Starting this week, all classroom teachers will be provided the opportunity to choose one item from a “Technology Innovation Menu” aimed to impact, enhance and support the virtual learning experience for over 800 classrooms.

According to TFEE Grant Committee Chair Jennifer Gottleib, “Our teachers have had some time to determine instructional practices that work (and don’t work) in the ever-changing environment that defines 2020-21, and may be thinking…… “Wouldn’t it be cool if I had a fill-in-the-blank?” So the organization engaged people in TSD’s Teaching and Learning and Technology Services departments to brainstorm what might be useful. The result was a “menu” of 14 technology supports such as new web cams, Bluetooth compatible mouse/keyboards, and USB connectivity devices among others.

This was the project vision of the TFEE, and the focus of Ron Keoleian (Technology Coordinator), Beth Soggs (Technology Director), and the Troy Technology Chairs when compiling the menu: How can we enhance this new way of teaching for teachers and students so that learning can be positively impacted?"

Barnard 5th grade teacher, building technology chair and TFEE trustee and grant administrator Scott Germansky (who helped determine the wish list) chose the USB microphone to facilitate better sound quality for his virtual students. “When teaching in a hybrid learning environment, maintaining a sense of community amongst both in-seat and virtual students (or "roomies and zoomies") is essential. The USB microphone can improve sound from the classroom so that our virtual students at home can hear their in-seat peers with the same clarity that they can hear me.”

Flexiblity was key to being able to provide help to district teachers during this difficult time. Said TFEE President Julie McClure: “It is important now more than ever to provide the means for our teachers to be able to connect with their students and with each other,” while staying true to the TFEE’s mission: ‘to strengthen the educational excellence of Troy School District K-12 students by funding innovative learning opportunities, through private support.’ “While it may look different this year (instead of asking teachers to apply for grants),” continued McClure, “we are still able to touch each classroom/teacher/student in the district by providing these needed technology tools.”

In order to fund this program, the TFEE has also had to get creative. While fundraising happens all year long, their major fundraiser is the annual Tony Spagnola Golf outing which had to be cancelled this past June due to Covid-19. This year, they are holding a $1,000 gift card raffle where folks can purchase tickets (only 1,000 will be sold) for $5 each. And the winner will receive 10 $50 Visa Gift cards ($500 value), along with $50 in gift cards each from: Panera, Target, Starbucks, Bath and Body Works, Lowe’s, Apple/ITunes, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy and Shell Gas and Amazon ($500 value), totaling $1,000.

Tickets can be purchased from any TFEE member, or contact TFEE Trustee Ann Toth @ 248.670.2849 (and checks can be made out to Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence.) The drawing will take place on December 9, 2020 @ 11 am at the Troy School District Central Office (4400 Livernois Rd. in Troy). No need to be present to win. For more information, visit the Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence at website at https://www.troyfoundation.org

# # #