CTAP Region 3

Over the last twenty-four years, Denise Phillips has taught a number of grade levels plus multiple subjects in elementary programs.   Currently, she teaches 5^th grade at Joseph Sims Elementary in Elk Grove Unified School District.  Denise’s enthusiasm and energy is boundless in and out of the classroom.  Her mastery of integrating technology into her curriculum is widely recognized not only in her district, but regionally as well.  She was selected as Elk Grove’s 2004 Teacher of the Year and Sacramento County Teacher of the Year, which resulted in her being Semi-Finalist for California State Teacher of the Year.  Denise was also awarded a Japan Fulbright Memorial Scholarship and spent time in there studying the Japanese educational system and visiting schools.  She continues to visit Japan with groups of students.

Ryan O’Donnell has created a technology-rich environment for his students at Rocklin High in Rocklin Unified School District in Placer County.  He was recently named the district’s 2010 “Teacher of the Year” for his ability to create extraordinary learning opportunities for his students, as well as other educators.

 Ryan had big dreams of being a head varsity football coach when he started teaching over twelve years ago at Wooster High School in Reno, Nevada.  Trying to help the veteran coach read the “plays” off either a legal pad or napkin, Ryan organized and created them in PowerPoint.  This was one of his earliest integration of technology which led him to his current video podcasting lectures for his World History classes at Rocklin High.  Ryan started video taping his lectures for students who either missed class or needed additional review.  Using Adobe Premier Elements for editing and adding PowerPoint or other features to his videos, he started using green screen technology.  His students have created videos using templates he created as if they were TV correspondents who are covering a historical character or event. Many times his web design students are busy helping him and other students with various aspects of video podcasting. Former students come back each year to peer teach and make presentations to current classes, which are also video taped.  

Larry Ferlazzo has had tremendous success utilizing technology to teach his English Language Learners at Luther Burbank High in south Sacramento.  His students are involved with the International Sister Project, which connects teenage ESL/EFL classes in fifteen countries. They share audio slideshows, generally using Voice Thread (thought not exclusively) on Student Showcase blog.  Students can also leave comments for one another about the projects they view from other students.