Linda is the Technology Coordinator for grades 8 and 9 at the Orange Preparatory School in Orange, NJ. She juggles a number of other responsibilities at the school, as well, including maintaining online resources databases, facilitating OPA technology professional development, and serving as a member of the Principal’s Building Team and the Curriculum and Instruction Committee. After 29 years of teaching, she has notable accomplishments to her credit:
- New Jersey Teacher of the Year
- Mimio Master
- Thinkfinity Certification
- Discovery Educator
- District Professional Developer
- Who’s Who Among American Educators
- ILife Long Learner
- Recipient of the eBoard of Excellence Award
Linda tells the story of how the Mimio system came to be the interactive system of choice in her district: "I was privileged to be selected as a participant in a Mimio presentation for our district. As a result of this presentation, a colleague and I were able to enroll in the Mimio training. Based upon our recommendations, the district purchased 90 Mimios."
After purchasing Mimio systems for her staff, Linda says the principal requested one, too, “to use during meetings.” Linda notes that the principal is now constantly requesting additional training in its use.
Linda’s teaching passion is providing professional development to teachers to fire them up about using technology in the classroom. She has found that the Mimio interactive system "enthralls the reluctant teacher to embrace technology as a learning tool." Asked to describe her thoughts on Mimio, she calls the system a teacher-friendly interface that allows the teacher to integrate technology in lessons seamlessly, and that provides students with engagement and rigor in the classroom. She is equally impressed with the rich content of Mimio resources for teachers. "My favorite item on mimioconnect.com," she says, "is the Ask a Master section. This has provided me with so much information and resources to enhance my Mimio use. I have discovered so many lessons for my teachers that I can’t just select one."
Linda offers a couple of tips about using the Mimio system. First, she encourages teachers to use their Mimio systems during Back to School night and Open House, so that parents can see what tools are being used in the classroom. Second, she suggests that teachers allow their students to use what they’ve learned to create Mimio activities for their fellow students. “Students love to do things differently,” she notes. The teacher must plan the activity and provide all the resources like any other project, including procedures, storyboards, and rubric. But the end result will be that the teacher will have additional lessons, as well as another form of assessment.
Linda holds a B.A. from the College of St. Elizabeth, an M.A. in Educational Technology from Walden University, Certification of Supervision from Kean University, and Technology Certification from Seton Hall University.