Power of Good

PowerofGood.com | Fall 2015 11 said. "We actually need to use the technology to empower our students in their educational and professional careers." Coleman understands the issues cash-strapped districts face. But, he said, there are many grants and free products available to help. For example, he was looking for funding to attend the 2012 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference in San Diego. A simple Google search led him to apply for and receive the Fund for Teachers grant, which allowed him to attend the five-day conference. While there, he learned about ISTE's Passion-Based Learning Project contest and submitted a two-minute video application saying he intended to teach his government class about George Orwell's "1984" by assigning a project involving video, sound editing and online applications. His class, he said, would learn about Big Brother and government surveillance by using clips from a free audiobook version of "1984" and editing out audio bits on surveillance technology. They then would develop videos about modern technology edited to that audio. Coleman won the grand prize and received a trip to the 2013 ISTE conference in San Antonio. His class, he said, got so into the project that he's sure they learned and retained more information about the book than they would have by simply reading it and writing a book report. "We have to continue using technological tools in teaching our students to create," he said. "They will have more job security if they learn that, because if you just want to shuffle papers on a desk, well, we're going to eventually find a way to automate that. The ones who can create something are the ones who will have a job." COLEMAN continued on from 8 Amanda Young, Customer Service representative and a member of Eastern APSO's Pell City subchapter, chaired a donation drive for schools. Pell City employees gave $250, which was combined with $250 from Eastern APSO in support of Refuge Ministries to help 28 schools. "Refuge Ministries partners with schools to give to children in need," said Magouyrk, Anniston Office manager. Earlier this school year, the chapter provided sleeping mats, copier and construction paper, compasses, protractors and other items. A clean, attractive environment is conducive to learning, Gaston Financial Specialist Melissa Williamson believes. Gaston APSO members rolled up their sleeves for a day of painting the Vincent Middle School entrance. Employees are again donating through the Backpack Buddies program in which food is placed in backpacks of underprivileged students. Miller Employee Development Coordinator Jamie Driver praised employees' generosity during APSO's annual back-to-school drive for copier paper, paper towels, pens, pencils and other supplies. "We assisted Bagley Middle, West Jefferson Elementary and Brookville Elementary schools through these donations," said Driver. The group gave three large- screen TVs to Sumiton Middle School for expansion of the technological curriculum. Miller APSO supported Backyard Blessings, a nonprofit in Sumiton that ensures needy children don't go hungry on weekends away from school. Organizer Leneda Jones said children are discreetly given food to last through the weekend. In August, APSO members helped with Backyard Blessings movie night, in support of five Walker County schools. Mobile Chapter President Ryan Allanbach's members helped with a supply drive for Mobile-area schools and gave $500 to Prichard Preparatory School to buy a smartboard for the library. Magic City APSO asked employees to donate personal hygiene items to kids in need. Throughout August, APSO set bins at offices, in which employees left floss, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, deodorant, hand sanitizer and lotion. In September, APSO members sorted and stuffed supplies for 1,000 student care packages for delivery to child advocacy centers in Birmingham and Shelby County. "For youngsters, looking their best and being clean at school is just as important as having the needed school supplies," said Magic City APSO President Wells Cooner.

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