Regional Educators to Lead 'ED TECH' Panel After Centenary Stage's START DOWN

Several regional educators will head the panel discussion on April 17, in conjunction with the world premiere production of the play "Start Down" by Eleanor Burgess, which explores the impact of new technologies on the classroom and teaching trends, through the relationships of a group of young, enthusiastic teachers and their optimistic start-up entrepreneur partners.

A former teacher herself (who taught history for 5 years), Burgess wrote the play hoping that people would start a conversation about the rapidly changing issues impacting education today. With a husband in the start-up world, and her background in education, she knew instantly she wanted to write a play about this area which she has such a passion for and so many ideas about. "While technology can present some scary aspects, potentially presenting a threat to jobs," Burgess said, "I think there's enormous potential for technology to personalize content for students, and to help teachers track progress. We just have to be thoughtful now in how we make use of technology in our classrooms, to build in time for mentoring, group work and one-on-one learning." The staged reading of the play last spring at CSC created animated discussion about what teachers are facing today with new technologies in the classroom.

Regional Educators leading the panel discussion on April 17th entitled "ED TECH in the 21st CENTURY" include Tim McElroy, Instructional Technologies - Dover School System ; Joseph Pizzo, veteran teacher at Chester Black River Middle School and Adjunct Professor at Centenary College; and Robert Redmon, the Director of Instructional Technology for the Hackettstown School District. The playwright will also be present for this discussion.

For information about the Panel Discussion or the Production of "Start Down" at the Centenary Stage Company (running Apr 8-24 in the Lackland Center ), contact the CSC offices at 908 979 0900. The discussion will immediately follow the 2 pm matinee performance on the 17th, accompanied by refreshments. Burgess is the winner of the national Kandeda Prize, which carries with it a presentation at the Kennedy Center in Washington , DC. She is also the 2015 Susan Glaspell Award Winner from Centenary Stage Company's Women Playwright Series.

ABOUT THE EDUCATORS:

Tim McElroy

Tim McElroy has been involved with educational technology for over twenty years. He holds a BA in Biology from Rutgers and a Masters in Educational Technology from NOVA Southeastern University. At Liberty Science Center, Tim was one of the team members who brought electronic field trips from the museum floors to students throughout New Jersey to enhance the students' local curriculum. He was instrumental in making connections to international locations such as Northern Ireland and Israel. Tim was also instrumental in the creation of the Live From... programs at the science center. This first-of-its-kind program connected students directly to working operating rooms to not only observe but also to ask questions during cardiac bypass, brain/spinal, and kidney transplant surgeries. Upon coming to Dover High School in 2004, Tim was one of the first teachers to pilot interactive whiteboards in the classroom. He went on to develop and teach video editing classes using Final Cut Pro. Most recently Tim developed the curriculum for and is currently teaching Robotics classes that combine computer programming, physical design, and construction of robotic components.

Joe Pizzo

A veteran teacher of forty two years at the Black River Middle School in Chester, Joe Pizzo serves as an adjunct professor at both Centenary College and Union County College and has taught at the College of St. Elizabeth. He is a staff announcer at WNTI-91.9 FM. Joe's book, New Jersey ASK 7 Language Arts Literacy Test is being revised and re-titled for a fourth printing to match the requirements for various standardized tests. A member of WWOR-TV Ch. 9's A+ for Teachers Hall of Fame, Joe is a Core Member of NJ Schools to Watch, a Leadership Team member of NJAMLE, an Affiliate Liaison to NJEA, and a former NJCTE Co-Director. He is a writer, poet, grant writer, educational workshop provider, and host of NJAMLE's The Top of the Middle. Joe has been named Educator of the Year by NJAMLE, NJCTE, and the Arts Council of the Morris Area.

Robert Redmon

Robert Redmon is currently the Director of Instructional Technology for the Hackettstown School District. Robert holds a BS in Industrial Technology from Montclair State College, a Master's in Special Education from East Stroudsburg University, and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix. Robert has eighteen years of classroom experience as a Teacher of Technology, Lead Teacher, and Department Chair. He also served as the Grades 7 through 12 Supervisor for Business, Technology, World Languages, and Fine and Performing Arts in the Hackettstown School District before taking his new position as Director of Instructional Technology. Robert has received various public and private grants and awards for his work in the area of technology education. In 1999, Robert was selected for Who's Who of American High School Teachers. Robert co-authored an article, published in Technology: Best Practices in America's Schools, highlighting the seamless integration of curriculum, teaching practices, technology education, and alternative scheduling schemes. Robert also served as a Master Teacher for seven years with the National Teacher Training Institute sponsored by PBS. Robert's forte is in the areas of Computer Aided Design (CAD), Digital Imaging, Desktop Publishing, Video Editing and Design with an emphasis on technology integration.

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