PHS teacher to be honored

By Carol Anders
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth High School business teacher and Business Professionals of America sponsor Jennifer Felke will be honored at the Oct. 13 conference of the Indiana Computer Educators in Indianapolis.

Felke was selected as the winner of the Digital Curriculum Lesson Plan contest.
Her lesson entitled “Back to the Future: a Renaissance Faire” was chosen for its innovative idea and the use of digital resources.

Felke has been asked to present her lesson during the conference as a part of the Success Showcase.
Felke created the project as a part of the New Tech High School at the Oregon-Davis Schools.

She said, “I was encouraged by the principal there, Greg Briles, to submit the lesson to the ICE.”

The lesson was used by students in an integrated technology curriculum that blends English, history and digital resources. Specifically, students were asked to research the Italian Renaissance period, chose an example of a philosopher, scientist or artist of the period, and then design what a website for that figure would look like in the present day.

Felke said, “It is a way to make history come alive.”

Although each student working on the three-week project had an individual website presentation, they did work in groups. Felke said a part of the project was utilizing “peer reviews” in which students were encouraged to share ideas and critiques with each other.

The culmination of the project was a “Renaissance Faire,” complete with period food and costumes, held for members of the community.

Felke said the students were excited to be able to show their work to those invited for the event.
She expressed her appreciation for the encouragement she received from Briles on the winning project and for the New Tech concept.

She said she is finding the same type of support from Plymouth Superintendent Dan Tyree as plans are being made for the upcoming school years. This is Felke’s first year teaching at PHS.

Felke also serves as the Staff Development Director of the School of Inquiry, a New Tech High School that will be opened within the PHS building starting with the 2011-12 school year.

The first year, only 100 students will be enrolled. Each year plans are to add 100 more students until the number reaches 400.