Embedding Digital Literacy

Facilitator: Sarah Palazzolo

Join Sarah for a fast-paced tour through accessible, tried and true digital lessons and tools. Learn how to create global classrooms and foster digitally literate students. Techniques for integrating web tools and social media will enhance your current curriculum.

This seminar reflects the latest thinking about engaging students in authentic projects and connecting them outside the classroom. We will explore student work and test drive some of the tools.

Earn 6 hours toward recertification!

Your Instructor

Sarah Finnemore Palazzolo is the Lower School Curriculum Dean at Shorecrest Preparatory School and a literacy consultant with expertise in reading and writing workshops and literacy curriculum development. She has taught third through fifth grades. Her experience as an independent school teacher, her training in reading and writing workshop from Columbia University, and Sarah’s position as lead staff developer and literacy coach with Pinellas County Schools allows her to offer specialized and practical professional development in literacy.

She is an avid reader and writer; and enjoys discovering new cultural opportunities - especially food - around St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Florida, where she lives with her husband and daughters. 

Coding and Robotics in the K-8 Curriculum

This professional learning experience provides a broad understanding of how coding and robotics can fit into the everyday classroom. The workshop will explore coding as a new literacy, review ISTE’s updated computational thinking standards, and address best practices in instructional design. Examples of integration across the curriculum will be shared, and participants will have opportunities to work hands-on with a variety of coding and robotic tools and software including Scratch, WeDo and EV3 Legos, BeeBots, Ozobots, Osmo Coding and Wonder Workshop’s Dash.

Minimum Participants: 8; Max Participants: 25

Meet Your Instructors

Dr. Anna Baralt holds a Doctorate in Educational Technology from the University of Florida. She taught preschool and elementary students for 17 years before becoming Shorecrest’s Director of Educational Technology. In this role, she provides support in designing curriculum and technology integration and facilitates professional development school-wide. Anna was recognized as a Teacher of the Future by the National Association of Independent Schools in 2008 and a Superpower Educator in 2009. She is also a 2010 recipient of the FCIS (Florida Council of Independent Schools) DeWitt E. and Vera M. Hooker Fellowship Grant as well as a 2013 Benedict Foundation Grant. Anna is passionate about integrating technology into project work, 1:1 learning programs, fostering digital citizenship, STEAM education, and using technology to facilitate professional learning communities. She has presented at numerous local and national conferences and has been published in several peer-reviewed educational journals.

Anna is the mother of two, and she and her husband enjoy watching their kids play baseball and soccer. She loves Rays baseball and spends time reading and taking pictures in her free time. 
As Lower School Educational Technologist, Katy Deegan is a part of the Shorecrest technology team who works closely with educators to incorporate technology into their curriculum. Katy graduated from Eckerd College with a B.A. in International Relations & Global Affairs and French. She earned two graduate degrees from the University of South Florida; M.A.T. Elementary Education and M.Ed. Educational Leadership. Katy has a background teaching in gifted education and has taught in both public and private schools. She presented on the topic of Design Thinking in the Classroom at the FCIS 21st Century Learning Academy.

Katy enjoys walking the beach and traveling. She is a foodie and loves cooking shows and new culinary experiences. 
 
Christine Scoby holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and a Masters in Educational Technology and has taught many years in the Lower and Middle Schools at Shorecrest Preparatory School. Christine is an Apple Teacher and has presented at AMLE 2012, FCIS 2013, ISTE 2014, FCIS 2018, and FCIS Winter Symposium on technology integration, and presented training at other schools. She is also a 2016 recipient of the Steelcase Active Learning Grant. This past year, she was selected to participate in the Transatlantic Outreach Program where she participated in a STEM study tour that traveled throughout Germany. She integrates core academic curriculum within her technology course in all middle school grades to enhance, connect, reinforce and expand concepts taught in the classroom.

An avid coupon clipper who is always on the lookout for a good deal, Christine is a lifelong Buckeye fan and follower of the Detroit Red Wings. She lives in Seminole, FL, with her husband, daughter, and two weenie dogs. 

Underwater Robotics - Integrating ROVs Across the Curriculum

Build your own underwater ROV!

[View a video of this project in the classroom here. View photos of this project here.]

Interested in bringing innovation and real-world learning to your curriculum? Learn how Shorecrest started an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) program to complement its eighth grade Middle School curriculum. Presenters will share integrated curricular projects, successes and challenges from implementing the program, as well as tips to get your own program started. Participants will be guided step-by-step through the building process and exposed to a series of challenges with their new ROV.  
 

Meet Your Instructors

Dr. Anna Baralt holds a Doctorate in Educational Technology from the University of Florida. She taught preschool and elementary students for 17 years before becoming Shorecrest’s Director of Educational Technology. In this role, she provides support in designing curriculum and technology integration and facilitates professional development school-wide. Anna was recognized as a Teacher of the Future by the National Association of Independent Schools in 2008 and a Superpower Educator in 2009. She is also a 2010 recipient of the FCIS (Florida Council of Independent Schools) DeWitt E. and Vera M. Hooker Fellowship Grant as well as a 2013 Benedict Foundation Grant. Anna is passionate about integrating technology into project work, 1:1 learning programs, fostering digital citizenship, STEAM education, and using technology to facilitate professional learning communities. She has presented at numerous local and national conferences and has been published in several peer-reviewed educational journals.

Anna is the mother of two, and she and her husband enjoy watching their kids play baseball and soccer. She loves Rays baseball and spends time reading and taking pictures in her free time. 
Kathryn Jeakle holds a Bachelor Degree in Biology from Oakland University, a Masters Degree in Education from Framingham State College, and is a certified Florida Masters Naturalist through University of Florida IFAS.  She has 23 years of experience with teaching science to students from Kindergarten through 12th grade in three different countries. For the past 8 years she has taught 8th grade Marine Science at Shorecrest Preparatory School.  Her passion for innovation and hands-on experiences have led to her development of new programs for her students. With the help of various grants, she has created a Coastal Awareness Program and ROV program that is currently part of her curriculum.  

School Information

5101 First Street Northeast
St Petersburg, FL 33703
Phone: (727) 522-2111  |  Fax: (727) 527-4191
[Map]

Privacy Policy | Faculty
Shorecrest Preparatory School is a private, non-sectarian, coeducational, college preparatory day school for students preschool through high school, located in St. Petersburg, Florida.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Shorecrest acknowledges its obligation to prohibit discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin sex, citizenship status, genetic information, handicap or disability in admissions, access, employment, tuition assistance, educational policies, or other school administered student and employee programs and activities. Questions regarding the School’s compliance with the application and administration of the School’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to Kristine Grant, Head of Middle School, 5101 First Street Northeast, St. Petersburg, Florida 33703, (727)-522-2111, kgrant@shorecrest.org or to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Please refer to the School’s Non-Discrimination Compliance Policy on the School’s website for information on how to file complaints with OCR.