Jamie+Smith


 * For the 2007-2008 school year I will be teaching Computer Science and Algebra I.
 * This will be my fifth year of teaching. I have previously taught at the South Grand Prairie Ninth Grade Center ([|Grand Prairie], obviously) and Lakeview Centennial HS (Garland).
 * I came to the Academy for the unique learning environment (and it's closer to home too!).
 * If I had any spare time, I would (and actually have) enjoyed snowboarding (Alaska and Colorado), hiking, video games, and reading. I'm also a vegetarian, and it is okay if you are not.
 * Over the next four days, I really just hope to familiarize myself with how the academy runs. Not surprisingly, I am particularly interested in the technology available (like Blackboard) to assist in the students learning.
 * Questions
 * How does the no bells system work? **We follow a class schedule and students are released on time and classes begin on time in accordance with the schedule. Teachers are expected to stand by their doors to greet students and have a warm-up or activity to begin when entering class so students have a "reason" to be on time.**
 * I'd like to know more about student internships. Are they paid? **Can the students also work during the summer or do some kind of guidelines prohibit this? The goal is to get interns a paid position but it doesn't always happen. Gary Schepf is a great resource to ask about the intern program to get your more specific questions answered.**
 * Is the Computer Science track primarily targeted at college bound students or primarily addressed towards a broader audience that could use the skills right after graduating. **The answer to that changes each year based upon the interests of the students in the classes. Our hope is that we will provide as much rigor as possible and push the students ot the limits of their ability.**
 * What technology is available for teachers to use in teaching the students. (I was specifically thinking of a remote presenter with a laser pointer) - **All classrooms are equipped with a projector, printer, two desktops and a VCR and/or DVD player. Darren and I (Angela) have video cameras, digital cameras, webcams, headset/mics, etc. for you to check out to use with your classes. There are scanners in the team rooms for you to use as well... oh, and yes, we can get you a presenter mouse too.**
 * What kind of access to the internet will students have off campus. (I already know the answer, but I feel the answer could benefit the group) **In past surveys we have had about 50% of our kids responding that they have internet access. In many cases that means they live close enough to a school or librray that they can walk over into a wireless umbrella...**
 * Do we need to attend the 9th grade orientation for all three days or just the day for our assigned floor? **Only 9th grade team memebers really need to attend these. The rest of you can volunteer for laptop and schedule handout days (the 19th, 20th, and 21st). It can be fun and always very interesting :)**
 * As I understand, students do not have rights on their machines to install software. How do we get software installed on student machines that we want them to have? **Software has to be "approved" by the district and then it can be installed by our Campus Technicians. You can see them or me (Angela) about the "approval" process.**
 * What is the teacher dress code for this campus? **There is a district standard located in the employee handbook http://www.irvingisd.net/staffhandbook/indexdefault.htm. Beyond that, teachers are expected to use their own best judgement.**
 * How are students indoctrinated into the campus culture? Freshman orientation? **The orientation is just a start. This is primarily a function of the individual teams and should be a topic of converstaion in your initial team meetings.**
 * **A layered assignment for ITAI:[[file:ITAILayered.doc]]**