Over the past three years Meridian CUSD has used an incentive program to support teachers who chose to drive their own professional development by becoming a Google Certified Educator.
The time intensive process requires teachers to complete modules and then take a timed assessment to demonstrate their proficiency within the Google suite.
Google has designed professional development for teachers so that they may best utilize the resources available to them to continue their personal growth and to best support their students. The Google Educator website states, “Learning never stops. Dedicated educators are lifelong learners. With that in mind, we've (Google) designed free, online training for the classroom that helps educators do what they do best, even better.”
Over the course of three years over 20 MCUSD educators have taken their personal time to dive in and earn this certification. Many completed the work on their time and others received on-site assistance by their peer and Google facilitator Malinda Hurt.
Current staff that have earned certification include: Malinda Hurt, Riley Appino, Todd Hall, TJ Zambrovitz, Danielle Kunce, Megan Zamora, Kelli Zitzke, Alison Salo, Kristie Lundine, Jessica McLaughlin, Christina Shula, Kim Hofmeister, Jill Gramer, Becky Barton, Tara Jepsen, Jacqui Goodman, Aimee Stewart, Jen Hall, Amy Metzger, Beth Kleinschmidt, Lisa Hillard, Ben Groselak and Jamie Melin.
Superintendent Dr. PJ Caposey noted that he was incredibly proud of the work of his teachers.
“I think it is incredible that teachers have chosen to challenge themselves and commit to staying unfinished in order to best serve our students,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of the fact our teachers have demonstrated the desire to best use the technology we have available in order to continually engage our students.”
