Learning Labyrinth

Danielle Klaus currently serves as the Instructional Technology Specialist and the Tablet PC Program Coordinator at Trinity School in Atlanta, GA. Danielle previously taught in the public elementary school system for five years, primarily in grades K-2. Throughout her teaching experience, Danielle demonstrated leadership and proficiency in successfully implementing technology integration within the curriculum in the classroom, school and district, as well as being designated a leading 21st century teacher for the Georgia Department of Education.

Throughout Danielle’s tenure within the Fulton County School District she frequently had the opportunity to use her technology skills. During her third year of teaching, Danielle was granted the opportunity to be a part of the Georgia Department of Education’s “21st Century Learning Environment Model Schools Pilot Project.” As a Lead 21st Century Teacher, Danielle incorporated authentic learning experiences such as standards-based instruction and appropriate educational technology into her daily lessons. Throughout her teaching experience, Danielle facilitated student learning and growth and led fellow teachers into becoming 21st century educators by utilizing technology effectively within the learning environment.

Danielle enjoys the challenges and responsibility involved in her professional role. She has proven her ability to troubleshoot technology related issues, mastery of curriculum design and development, as well as design and facilitation of staff development programs. Danielle has designed and facilitated several professional development workshops. The most recent workshop involved training teachers with varying degrees of technology experience on the effective use of Promethean’s ACTIVclassroom solution. The first objective of the workshop was to provide teachers with in-depth training on the ACTIVstudio 3 software and effective resource development. The second objective was to provide teachers with the necessary time and resources to collaboratively build dynamic and engaging lessons (flipcharts) that are aligned with both the Georgia Performance Standards and the curriculum.

Danielle holds the belief that technology should not be used as the central focus of a lesson, but instead as a tool to enhance the learning process and facilitate engagement. “One should first focus on what content and curriculum needs to be covered, then look at what technology tools could be utilized to present that information effectively and efficiently.” It is with this approach that Danielle designed various other professional development workshops including: Tracking Student Progress through Data Collection, Designing Classroom Websites that Inform and Engage, Technology Integration in Any Classroom, and Podcasting and Blogging in the Elementary Classroom.

Danielle presented at various statewide conferences, several alongside Dr. Mike Hall, former Deputy Superintendent of Technology for the Georgia Department of Education and one of America’s most sought after speakers on the subjects of Classroom Technology Transformation. She modeled a 21st century lesson that integrates technology into the curriculum at the 2007 National Educational Computing Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, Danielle presented on behalf of Promethean, Inc. at the 2006 GAMEIS Conference, 2006 GaETC Conference, 2007 NCTM Conference, NECC 2007 and the 2007 GaETC Conference as one of their advocate ACTIVeducators.

In her current role, Danielle continues to facilitate student learning and growth by leading fellow teachers into becoming 21st century educators that utilize technology effectively within the learning environment.