Tech MVP
Staff and administration in Barbers Hill ISD schools may nominate a staff member that they feel merit recognition based on the integration and use of technology in the classroom. Nominations may be submitted monthly by completing the online TECH MVP Nomination Form. Winners will be announced in the weekly Eagle Bits and Bytes (excluding the months of August and December).
November 2022
KRISTIN HOFFMAN
Middle School South
7th Grade Math
"Enjoyed the class and plan to apply these skills to the classroom. Thank you!" - Tech Fest Participant
"Great Job!" - Tech Fest Participant
"Great Session!" - Tech Fest Participant
"Great training! Looking forward to using Desmos with my students." - Tech Fest Participant
"She uses many programs (many I have never heard of) while teaching math. She has also been someone I can count on to help me with technology that I use in my classroom." - Audrey Gomez, ISS
"Kristin is amazing at anything technology. She brought an amazing wealth of knowledge from her previous school district. She knows how to use a variety of sites and tools that we have integrated into our 7th grade Math curriculum. She is AWESOME!!" - Courtney Nunez, Math Instructional Coach
"Kristin implements technology in a way that is both student and data-driven. Her commitment to using technology to improve student learning is setting an outstanding example for others." - Jennifer Stephens, Technology Integration Coach
What do you love most about technology in the classroom? What do you love most about teaching?
I love the diversity of technology and all of the different ways that it can be used in the classroom. It gives me so many different options to keep things interesting for my students. The thing I love most about teaching is the lightbulb moment! When a student has been struggling in class and then it finally clicks for them and they start to gain a little more math confidence, it makes all of the work that goes into it worth it!
How has technology impacted you and your students?
I feel like technology has opened up a new world for me and my students by allowing me to show them more real world applications for math and it helps me to make math more visual for them so that they can understand not just how something works, but also why it works. It also helps students check their understanding immediately with self checking technology so that they do not need to wait for me to check it.
What is your favorite tech tool and/or device?
I would say my favorite tech tool of all time has to be the Desmos website and all of the activities available through it.
October 2022
MEGHAN PHARES
Elementary School South
1st grade
"She is well versed in vertical alignment on curriculum to technology." - Sobeida Rodriguez
"Meghan Phares is willing to share her “techie-ness” with her team. She strives to help make her team and students in first grade more successful. Meghan finds ways to get students engaged using technology. I’m so thankful she is an Eagle!"
- Lisa Kana, Technology Integration Coach
"Meghan is great about linking different activities for us, creating online activities for our students, and helping with our tools in the classroom" - Ashlyn Brown
"Daily slideshow for schedule with embedded links and videos for each subject." - Heather Louvier
"Meghan is always willing to help her teammates out with any technology needs - from setting up computers before the year started to problem-solving with us about any classroom tech need. In addition, she brings Seesaw activities to our planning and assists with any tech integration for plans. Meghan is a great asset to our first-grade team!" - Julie McLendon
"Meghan is always willing to try new technological tricks and is always willing to help our whole team with any type of technology when needed! She is always creating techy tips to make life easier :)." - Kelsey Stewart
"Meghan is a rockstar with technology! She is always there with any technology questions we have and is always there to support us with new ways to enhance our lessons. She is a computer whiz and is SO deserving of being a TECH MVP! We are so lucky to have her on the ESS campus!" - Macy Breaux
What do you love most about technology in the classroom? What do you love most about teaching?
I love that technology allows for the lesson to become more interactive. I love seeing my students engaged in their learning and the excitement when they grasp new concepts.
How has technology impacted you and your students?
It has allowed us to be so much more interactive with our learning.
What is your favorite tech tool and/or device?
I have really loved incorporating seesaw and Google to create breakouts for students to engage in their learning with.
September 2022
ALLISON WILLIAMS
Early Childhood Center
Kindergarten Teacher
Allison has spent three of her six years in education at The Hill. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and learning ways to live healthier. She just recently lived out her “Joanna Gaines” dream by fixing up her own farmhouse.
"Allison Williams is a risk-taker! I love that she is willing to allow her students to explore and experience applications that are out of the box. I’m so proud that I get to work with her and that she is impacting so many teachers and students at the ECC." - Lisa Kana, Technology Integration Coach
"Outstanding use of technology in the classroom and shares with her peers!" - Donna Billeaud, ECC Principal
"Mrs. Williams is always looking for ways to integrate technology in her lessons and shares with us during our PLC meetings. She comes to our planning meetings with new apps or apps already on our iPads and shares new ways we can use them throughout our classrooms." - Natalie Maxwell, ECC Kindergarten
What do you love most about technology in the classroom? What do you love most about teaching?
I love that the options with technology are endless!! Technology can be customized to meet your students exactly where each of them is at. It allows students to be engaged in the material they are learning, which leads to an increase in knowledge retention. What I love most about teaching is having the daily opportunity to provide a safe, supportive learning environment where students have a sense of belonging. A place where students feel heard, loved, valued, and encouraged.
How has technology impacted you and your students?
Technology truly changes the game for teaching! Technology has provided my students with more engaging whole-group lessons, group activities, and independent practice. It has allowed my students the chance to own their learning and practice the skills that have been taught all while building skills to be successful in a rapidly progressing digital world.
What is your favorite tech tool and/or device?
As of right now, Pink Cat Games is my favorite! I use this resource every single day in my classroom! Since this tool allows teachers to customize the activities, I am able to meet the needs of each of my students.