Hello, and welcome to my electronic portfolio.  This portfolio was produced as part of the MITTEN Project affiliated with the University of Michigan-Dearborn.  It was created in collaboration with Joe Motowski, a student-teacher from UMD for the Fall 2002 semester, to showcase lessons which incorporate technology into our US History and Government curriculum.

Personal Background:
I am a  1987 graduate of Churchill High School, having had classes in the room he now teaches in.   I attended Kalamazoo College, Wayne State and Eastern Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in social science and minor in history.  He is currently finishing a Master of Liberal Studies degree in social science and American culture from EMU.  I have taught at Churchill since January 1995, where I currently teach U.S. history, government and economics. In addition I coach JV Baseball and am the Freshmen Class co-sponsor.

School and Community Background:
Churchill is located on the Southern border of the City of  Livonia, MI.  We serve students from Livonia as well as students in Westland. Livonia Public Schools currently serves over 18,000 students in 32 buildings, including 3 traditional high schools.  Churchill has just over 2,000 students currently enrolled.  Approximately 80% of CHS students go on to higher education.  Churchill is home to 2 magnet programs, a math-science-computers program and a creative and performing arts program.  The school employs 132 professional staff members with an average class size of 25. 

School Technology:
The school uses a mix of iMac and Dell Windows systems.  There are 4 classroom size internet labs (2 iMac, 2 Dell) with 2 being dedicated to individual departments and 2 available for teacher sign out.  Computers with internet access are available before and after school as well as during lunch in the library.  Students are required to attend an internet training session of 6 hours before being given internet privileges.  Each classroom currently has a Dell system, with some also having iMacs.  The labs contain a mix of productivity software.  The open Dell lab has MS Word suite in addition to the Appleworks suite.  The open iMac lab has Word, but no Appleworks.  Each lab contains a digital projection system and the school has 2 such systems available for classroom use.  One of the requirements for MITTEN is the completion of the Interactive School Technology and  Readiness Chart (STaR Chart) created by the CEO Forum.  The results of our evaluation are as follows: 

• Hardware - mid tech
• Connectivity - low tech
• Content - mid tech
• Professional Development - low tech
• Integration and Use - low tech
• Overall School Level - mid tech