(Newswire.net — January 23, 2014) Singapore, Singapore — In early September Singapore American School (SAS) hosted the second Google Apps for Education Summit on its campus. Google, one of the school’s primary vehicles for collaboration and communication in learning, has now selected two more SAS educators to participate in the Google Teacher Academy. This means that SAS can boast that they have more Google Certified faculty and staff members than any other private international school.
Over the past three years, seven faculty and staff throughout the school have become Google Certified Teachers. They said that becoming a Google Certified Teacher has transformed their classrooms, served as an inspiration and offered new career opportunities.
Jay Atwood, an Educational Technology Coordinator in the High School, said, “It’s a highly selective process to be chosen to attend this training. We see the best of the best, creative people, who are excited to try new things in the classroom. By going through training in a small group setting, we have a real peer group, yet are also part of the larger Google group of hundreds of Google Certified Teachers, which gives a collaborative effect to sharing.”
Primary School Educational Technology Coach Kelli Buxton added, “At the training, we have to write an Action Plan of how we will take what we’re learning [at the training] and share it with our own communities.”
“The tools we use through Google provide our students with an authentic global audience to which they can showcase their work,” shared Shaun Kirkwood, a Primary School Educational Technology Coach at SAS.
Heather Dowd, a Middle School Education Technology Coach, said, “The best part is sharing ‘best practices’ from what I learned at the Google Teacher Academy, so I can share tips with other teachers and students, and bring new resources and best practices. It has a trickle-down effect.”
Rebecca Clark, who teaches Language Arts in the 8th grade, commented that one of the best things about the training is the professional learning network that it provides to faculty. “It energizes teachers. If the teaching is better, then the kids are more engaged.” Some of her former students that are now in high school have returned and shared how technology integration and lessons at SAS streamlined everything for them. She shared that it was a powerful moment for her.
“It’s good for the school as well because we’re contributing to our whole community. The collaboration – it’s pretty incredible,” shared Jay Atwood.
The Google Teacher Academy is a two-day intensive program that recognizes educators who are doing innovative and exciting things in their classrooms with technology. 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.
“Google Certified Teachers are exceptional K-12 educators with a passion for using innovative tools to improve teaching and learning, as well as creative leaders and ambassadors for change. They are recognized experts and widely admired for their commitment to high expectations for students, lifelong learning, and collaboration,” said Danny Silva, Director of the Google Teacher Academy for Computer-Using Educators Inc.
SAS already has seven Google Certified Teachers on the faculty: Jay Atwood, Rebecca Clark, Shaun Kirkwood, Patrick Green, Heather Dowd, with Kelli Buxton and Anne Wenstrom having recently joined the Google Certified Teacher crew.
Established in 1956, the school primarily serves the American and international expatriate communities of Singapore. SAS is registered with the Singapore Council for Private Education, affiliated with the Office of Overseas Schools through the U.S. Department of State, and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
For more information about Singapore American School visit www.sas.edu.sg.
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