By Renee Fruge

Howdy from beautiful Calgary!

Yesterday was yet another day of learning and collaborating here at the 2012 SMART Exemplary Educator (SEE) Summit at SMART’s World Headquarters in Calgary, Canada.  We spent the morning discussing the SMART Exemplary Educator Program, what we love and what we would love to see in the future.  Deena Zenyk, Program Manager of the SEE Community, is always open to new ideas and opportunities to make the SEE program the best it can be.  She is what makes being a SMART Exemplary Educator so special.

I believe that, as a teacher, if I can believe it, SMART can help me to achieve it. That is also how I feel about grants.  Today was my turn to present to my fellow SEE’s on Grant writing.  I shared my story of how I began writing grants, the websites I visit to find grants, as well as tips to consider when writing them.  You can also find all of these resources on my wiki space at www.onesmartchick.wikispaces.com.   One of the SEE’s in attendance, Danesa Jepson, even wrote a grant before the day was over!  Now that makes me smile!

Have you heard of the SMART Board Revolution, a great website where educators using SMART products can share ideas, tips and lesson files?  Well, its founder and fellow SEE, Matt Granger, who is also in attendance at the Summit, spoke to us about using SMART Response interactive response system in his classroom.   He shared what he has discovered about how using SMART Response increases learning and test scores.  We spent time creating questions using higher order thinking skills, to make the most of our assessments in the classroom.

Today is our last day at SMART’s World Headquarters.  I cannot believe the week has gone so fast!  I have met some amazing people who are doing great things using SMART products in their classrooms.  I have learned so many new things and my brain is full! The knowledge I have gained will stay with me and help me become the best I can be! This definitely makes me smile.

Until next time…..

Renee Fruge

One SMART Chick

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About the author

Renee Fruge has been an educator for eight years, teaching fourth-grade, special education, and currently teaching second-grade at Evangeline Parish School District in Basile, LA.

Fruge has been a SMART Exemplary Educator (SEE) for the past four years and has attended the SEE Summit at the SMART Headquarters in Calgary, Canada, the last 2 years. She is also a technology instructor and has presented SMART Content sessions at the district, state and national level. Fruge has also successfully written several grants for education technology and other products and is currently a grant writing mentor for her district.