Teaching Technology, Training Tomorrow’s Leaders

When you think of eReaders and iPads you may only be thinking of their entertainment value. Not so with Nantucket Elementary School’s tech savvy Principal Diana Strohecker. 

“Our pioneering school has a rolling vision for technology. We can incorporate technology into many aspects of our student’s education," said Strohecker.

Nooks and Kindles help inspire children to read, to help them develop a love for reading," she added.

“I am always looking for ways to incorporate new technology into our programs,” Strohecker said.  She added the school has a Kindle/Nook meeting once a week after school for children. “It is run by the media center staff,” said Strohecker. Students attending the three-year old school use these instruments on a daily basis. 

In 2006 Strohecker traveled to the United Kingdom for over two months to see first hand how interactive technology was being used there and brought her ideas back to Maryland. 

“When I was selected to help design and build Nantucket Elementary, it was much easier because I didn't have to work with old technology and I made the entire building wireless,” Strohecker said.

Next month the 34-year Anne Arundel County School veteran’s cutting-edge technology will be showcased when she receives the Maryland 2011 Outstanding Technology Leader in Education award.

According to the Anne Arundel County School System website, the Maryland Society for Educational Technology gives the award annually to “an educator outside the classroom who has made exemplary contributions to the implementation of technology in Maryland schools.” 

Strohecker will receive her award at MSET’s spring conference in Baltimore in April. As part of the award, Nantucket Elementary will receive $1,000 worth of technology equipment.

 “What truly stands out about Diana Strohecker is her unceasing search for creative ways to introduce technology to students and staff,” Anne Arundel County School System Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell said. “She is well-deserving of this award, and we are proud to have her as a part of our AACSS family.”

Strohecker does not spend all of her time in front of computers. The 54-year old Severna Park resident travels extensively with her college-age daughter. They enjoy doing educational travel exchange programs. In the past few years, they have visited the United Kingdom, Kenya, Costa Rica and hope to go to Thailand in the very near future. Strohecker brings these life experiences to her schoo. Last year the school adopted an elementary school in Nepal. This year she said they plan to adopt a rainforest.

 On a recent Friday morning Strohecker visited one of the first grade classes. As some students were typing away on the computers others were using iTouches to do educational challenges. “The technology is wonderful, amazing and super engaging for my students,” says first grade teacher April Crovo.