Angela is relatively new to Mimio technology, but she took to it immediately. She has only had her MimioTeach interactive system since the beginning of December 2010, but says that already she cannot imagine her classroom without it. "Mimio is magnificent," she raves. "It supplements lessons perfectly and the possibilities for creating lessons, extension activities, centers, etc. are endless!"
A second grade teacher at Stanwood Elementary School in New Stanton, Pennsylvania, Angela says that her team calls her the tech geek, nerd, or queen of technology, "depending on what they want." She is happy to share her tips and tricks for using Mimio with others:
- Clones...instead of having multiples of something, create clones! For example, if you are working with money, create coin clones instead of having multiples of one coin on the page. Clones really cut down on the clutter.
- SHARE, SHARE, SHARE...this is the only way to get better and see what others are doing out there! If you like something you see, use it and make it your own. If you have a question, ask!
- If #2 doesn't work...objective/direction boxes. They make it easier on others to know exactly how the lesson should be used. Sometimes what seems obvious to the creator isn't so obvious to other users. I've started using them on every slide that changes!
It's clear that interactive teaching agrees with Angela, as well as her students. Her winning entry in the FETC 2011 contest on mimioconnect.com, "The Polar Express" Mimio lesson, was so engaging that both she and her students missed the lunch bells and kept right on working. The contest judges called her lesson a "strong demonstration of how to combine quality instruction with DYMO/Mimio teaching technologies!"
Angela has a BA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and certification in K-6 Elementary Education from St. Vincent College. Her students have nominated her multiple times for the Pennsylvania Teachers of Excellence award. In addition to teaching second grade at Stanwood Elementary, Angela teaches online college courses for Newport Business Institute and is a volunteer affiliate photographer for the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) organization.