Princeton Academy Introduces iPad Program and New Technology Director

Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, an independent school for boys in junior kindergarten through 8th grade, is pleased to introduce Michael Taggart as Instructional Technology Coordinator.  Taggart oversees the school’s new technology initiatives, including a 1-to-1 iPad program, an online homework program, and teacher training.  He also teaches computer literacy and runs two after-school clubs, Robotics and Martial Arts.

Taggart has a degree in English from Ursinus College, and a Masters in School Leadership from University of Pennsylvania. He comes to Princeton Academy from Conshohocken Catholic School where he was Technology Director and taught computer classes for students in junior kindergarten through 8^th grade. His leadership training and classroom experience made him an ideal candidate to prepare Princeton Academy students with a 21^st century education. 

"Michael is a creative and tireless solution seeker, and wonderful role model for our young gentlemen,” commented Headmaster Olen Kalkus.  “We are very pleased to have him bring his experience and skills to bear on Princeton Academy's growing use of mobile learning platforms and the "cloud" in our instructional technology program."

As Instructional Technology Coordinator, Taggart works with students and teachers on integrating the new technology with classroom instruction. Students in 7^th and 8^th grades are participating in a 1-to-1 iPad pilot program aimed at giving students the opportunity to explore different methods of learning and alterative sources of information. The Lower School has 2 iPads per classroom, and all faculty members have one as well.

Taggart also works on training teachers to better understand how to teach with the current hardware and software available for technology instruction.  In the 4^th grade, math teachers are using Khan Academy, an online resource that provides customized math instruction.  Khan Academy allows the teacher and students to work together on personalized problem sets designed for each student’s individual needs.

Princeton Academy restructured Taggart’s role to involve classroom instruction as well.  He is teaching a basic computer skills course to 5^th graders to prepare them with the technical skills and character education necessary for middle school.  He notes that his experience as a marital arts instructor, and the values represented in the practice, will have reciprocity in his new role.   “Schools are in the business of making good people and we’re in the business of making good young men,” said Taggart. “They need to learn how to live correctly in a world where the right thing isn’t always happening. We need to give them the strength of conviction to do the right thing in the online realm as well.”

The addition of Michael Taggart to the faculty, and the introduction of tablet technology instruction, supports the administration’s vision of a campus where technology is not confined to a lab, but used as a tool to guide and improve the exchange of information and learning.