Teachers active at computer conference

Amy Perry and Jim Dorn played lead roles in the New York State Computers And Technology Educators (NYSC&TE) technology conference in Buffalo.

Perry, a project coordinator with Edutech (formerly WFL BOCES RCC), was the general chair of the conference. In what has been widely touted as the best computer conference ever, Perry attracted some 2000 educators to this conference.

Jim Dorn, computer coordinator with Newark, Marion and Williamson school districts, chaired the program committee, which got 180 presenters from across the nation to address the educators. Perry noted that the 2000 attendees nearly doubled previous conference attendance records.

According to Dorn, Newark was well represented with five of the presenters coming from the Newark School District. Brad Timerson was one of the presenters. He was recently selected as "New York State's Ambassador to Jupiter" (an honor going to only two teachers from each state), and is a past winner of the outstanding technologist of New York State. You may see some of his work at WOKRTV.COM on the Internet.

A presentation by Bobbi Clifford and Cheryl VanHarken was proclaimed to be "one of the best presentations ever seen" by an official from the State Education Department. Their presentation, "Our Endangered Lives" focused on a project undertaken by a 4th grade class at Kelley School in Newark, incorporated morphing techniques.

Tom Jagger spoke with educators on the "New Art Media," reflecting the direction Newark Art educators are moving toward. His presentation included the use of Photoshop and Illustrator. Jagger said that "Using the computer as a tool for artistic expression is within reach of all artists/students from their earliest years."

Mike Petrus shared his "Jobs - What's Hot, What's Not" presentation to a large enthusiastic audience. Petrus, who has presented to many national audiences, spoke on the school to work connection. He also talked about how technology is changing the workplace. Petrus, recently selected as "Educator of the Year" by the Newark Chamber of Commerce, challenged his audience to "be challenged - be enraged - and be prepared to go back and tell your students "What's Hot and What's Not in the Job Market."

Albany will be the location of the 1998 conference.

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