Last November, as we were revising our Tech Plan, we noticed that the amount of hardware and software available in our district had increased fourfold during the previous four years, yet there was not much change or innovation in the types of software being used in the classrooms. We decided to make the creation of a timely and quality professional development program the number one goal of our new plan.
For help we turned to a unique program in a nearby community college district. The Krause Center for Innovation (KCI), located at Foothill College campus in Los Altos Hills, California, has for more than a decade provided a first-class, technology-focused professional development program supporting the usage of all types of technology in K-12 schools. I approached KCI Executive Director Gay Krause with the notion of replicating the KCI vision in our district. The result is a partnership between our school district and KCI that may serve as a model for other districts.
El Crystal School, where I am principal, was chosen as the site of our new center for three reasons: it’s already a demonstration school for implementing technology, it had an empty classroom, and yours truly offered to serve as the new center’s director. We’ve dubbed it the Danford Center for Innovation in recognition of the Danford Foundation, which has donated thousands of dollars to support technology at our school.
How it works
The partnership between KCI and the San Bruno Park School District is defined in a memorandum of understanding that specifies responsibilities for both institutions while offering a great deal of flexibility as well. District responsibilities include providing the facility, IT support, all technology equipment, and the director. KCI provides faculty, determines the fee structure, advertises course offerings, and gives enrollment preference to district employees. Working in unison, we are responsible for creating a Certificate of Technology Competency, based upon ISTE standards for teachers, that participants can earn through participation in the new center’s classes.
Once the Certificate of Technology Competence is designed and implemented, KCI instructors will teach the specific courses in the Danford Center. Teachers who enroll will pay tuition, which allows them to receive immediate credit on the district salary schedule. A great advantage of this arrangement is that, since KCI is part of the community college system, tuition is very affordable.
The Danford Center will not serve only our school. Our district will use the Danford Center to offer workshops as needed—such as a recent one on ways to use Thinkfinity—to meet educational goals. In addition, courses at the center will be open to all teachers in our county.
This venture is bold. However, we believe it is our task to give our students the essential skills, knowledge, and learning experiences they need to thrive and succeed in the 21st Century. Learn more about:
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