“I feel like I won the golden ticket to the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory,” said Tanya Avrith, an Itinerant Digital Citizenship and Educational Technology Teacher at the Lester B. Pearson School Board. “This is a one-in-a-lifetime learning experience and I will be meeting 49 of some of the best educators from across the globe,” shed added, referring to the other students in her Google class.
Avrith is only one of three Canadians – and the only teacher from Montreal – who will be taking part in next month’s intensive Google Academy workshop in New York City.
A free professional development experience
According to the website, the Google Academy is a free professional development experience designed to help K-12 educational leaders get the most from innovative technologies.
Participants get hands-on experience with Google’s products and technologies, learn about innovative instructional strategies, and receive resources to share with colleagues. Upon completion, Academy participants become Google Certified Teachers who share what they learn with other K-12 educators in their local regions and beyond.
“It will be great to take what I learn there and begin working with our schools here at the Lester B. Pearson School Board,” said Tanya Avrith who was instrumental in the setting up of the board’s cutting-edge Digital Citizenship program which, among other things, provides information to parents, teachers and students about the do’s and don’ts of in the use of technology.
“You can’t teach technology unless the kids understand how to use it appropriately,” said Avrith who is also working with teachers and students at Beaconsfield High on the Infinity Program dealing with Mac Book technology.
“Another wonderful thing about the Google Academy is that I will be networking with amazing educators and staying up to date on the latest in technology.” she said. “I can’t wait to come back and share what I learned.”