BFA Fairfax Teachers Association’s
PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT: NANCY GROSS
(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/bfa100/nancy_061201.jpg)
Article & Photo Courtesy Of: Sara Villeneuve
Nancy Gross, a 25-year teacher at BFA, has taken on a new role this year. Nancy is Bellows Free Academy’s new technology integration specialist for grades 3-8.
Nancy began her professional career in BFA’s elementary school. She has taught grades two through six and worked as a reading specialist. She took a one-year leave of absence to work with Vermont Institute’s Science, Math and Technology team.
In her new position, Nancy goes into classrooms supporting teachers and students in using technology in their classrooms. She models lessons for teachers and students and is a resource for locating programs and web sites to help students meet the Vermont State Technology Standards. Nancy takes her computer lab with her. Using 2005 surplus funds, the school purchased the lab which houses 24-networked laptops, an LCD projector, and a print station. Nancy spends a great deal of time planning with teachers to introduce the students to current technology while meeting curriculum requirements.
As the first year of this new program progresses, Nancy is already looking towards the future. “I hope to become more a facilitator for teachers as they become more comfortable and aware of the current technology available.” She is thrilled with the participation from the students. “Students become interested regardless of the topic because of the excitement of working with computers. They are drawn into topics such as searching databases and creating spreadsheets because of the technology they are using.”
Nancy’s work in technology dates back to her college years as computers were just progressing in industry. While studying at the University of Maine at Farmington, Nancy was employed as a work-study student at IBM as what was then considered a “high speed” printer operator. This experience sparked Nancy’s interest in technology. After receiving her Elementary Education and Special Education degrees, she continued to take professional development courses in technology. Nancy believes that BFA is “in the middle of the pack for technology education. Some schools are ahead of us and some are behind, but we are making strong strides to advance by implementing technology education early.”
As a lifetime member of the National Education Association, Nancy’s philosophy matches with the organization’s purpose: All children have an excellent education while making sure educators have a satisfying work environment where they are acknowledged for the work they perform and where the work they perform helps students do their best.
A Fairfax native and BFA alumni, Nancy and her family are involved with the American Cancer Society and have been committed to working with the annual Relay For Life and Daffodil Sale. Nancy’s BFA website has links to safe, school-used websites. She will be adding links for parents as well. Her student-first philosophy and “meeting the needs of all approach” is a true model of the mission at BFA Fairfax .
Next Month: John Tague- Mathematician and former Association President.[/b]