Michelle Guidry responding to Thomas Suarez - 12 year old Apple Developer

This was an amazing 12 year old boy.  As many students today, instead of reading off of notecards, he had his I -pad in hand.  You could see the love of video games in his expression and mannerisms but instead of just wanting to play games, he feels kids today want to make their own games.  It reminded me of many of the opportunities in Disneyworld where visitors can create their on rollercoasters and then ride them or create video games and then play them.  He shared how many students know more about technology than their teachers.  I see this everyday, even in my own classroom.  We recieved this wonderful tool last year called a Promethean Board.  It has so many awesome ways to introduce concepts to our students.  I am still learning how to maximize my teaching strategies to use this new technology teaching tool.  So many times my students say press this Mrs. Guidry or do that.  I know at STM this year, they have implemented the one to one tablet program with providing each student with a laptop.  Many teachers are challenged to utilize this new method and are working hard through inservices and training to stay on top of their teaching presentations.  Times have changed and teachers especially need to change their methods in order to keep students engaged and challenged.  Thomas was impressive and is a student that we as teachers can learn a lot from.  He is a forward thinker and we as teachers need to be open to embrace technology and try to keep up with students like Thomas.