Outstanding technology educator of the year Kerry Clawson is a much loved and respected high school teacher from South Lane School District, in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Colleagues describe her energy and willingness to share her time and expertise with students and teachers.
Her grant with Palm computers started a drive to provide handhelds to every student in the high school. What Kerry has taken to great lengths is introducing at-risk students to the power of handheld computers. She teaches the students to use the handhelds to organize their calendars and assignment planning, to employ graphic organizers, and to accomplish the outcomes of English and World History in the course of the year. “Kerry teaches the students who have been unsuccessful in school and struggle with education. She achieves impressive results through the use of technology to support the content she teaches,” says Director of Special Programs Sue Wicker.
“Kerry has shared her expertise with other educators at OETC’s annual Instructional Technology Strategies Conference for the past two years and at NCCE. She is a dedicated and superb staff developer,” asserts Jennifer Arns, OETC Instructional Programs Director. “ Her innovative ideas and constant desire to inform, educate and coach are among her greatest assets. She is the kind of teacher we all would have wanted to have.”
Kerry also was a collaborator to develop the NW Handhelds web site (http://www.oetc.org/handheld ). She also personally answers teachers’ questions about handheld technology in the classroom via the Moodle on this website.
Kerry has also developed an innovative engineering technology program geared specifically for at-risk girls at Cottage Grove High School. “She flew across the country to get training on the Amitrol Engineering Technology Education system, and now is teaching auto-CAD, pneumatics, hydraulics, robotics, system design, quality control, and much more to a group of 18 girls. All this takes place in a hands-on lab where the girls feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes until they get it right,” says colleague Colt Gill. “After gaining significant technical skills from this learning experience and receiving mentoring by local business women these girls will be seeking living wage or possibly even look to engineering as a higher education option after high school graduation.”
“Kerry Clawson communicates the ‘wow’ of learning to her high risk and special education high school students by skillfully using technology to make curriculum content accessible,” proclaims Sue Wicker.
Kerry is truly an outstanding educator who uses technology to engage kids and adults alike in the learning process. Congratulations, Kerry, and keep up the good work!