Email : ccmarusak@hotmail.com...

Introduction
Welcome! My name is Carolyn Sherman. I am currently a student at the University of Michigan- Dearborn in the secondary education program. I have recently completed my major in English and my minor in Biology. Now in my final semester, I am embarking on my career goal through student-teaching. Integrating technology into the classroom is not just an idea, but a reality. I choose to do participate in the MITTEN program because of its desire to take student learning beyond its usual limits and expectations. As a result of this  MITTEN adventure I have evolved as a person and as an educator. 

Student Teaching Site:

(7th Grade Language Arts Students at work)

East Middle School is one of five middle schools in the Plymouth-Canton school district, which is home to the only Educational Park in the state of Michigan. Located in Plymouth, Michigan, East has a population of 846 sixth, seventh and eighth graders from a variety of cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds. The staff of 49 classroom teachers, a media specialist, three counselors, two administrators, and support staff provide a wide variety of enrichment and support opportunities in technology for students. The students have access to a variety of technological advances from computers, to web page building, to power point, and digital cameras. East is equipped with a computer lab in the library, as well as a technology resource room (VCR's, DVD players, Elmo Projectors, student message board, etc) where technological equipment may be loaned out. As a standard each classroom is equipped with a TV monitor and two PC computers attached to the Internet. The television has access to five educationally appropriate channels (CNN, Discovery Channel, History Channel, PBS and Weather Channel) which teachers may use to integrate into their lessons. The PC computers contain a variety of educational software including Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, Front Page Express, Inspiration and Zangle.  Zangle is used as the district's attendance and grade recording system. The computers are also wired to the television for projection capabilities during power point presentations as well as class wide access to the Internet.

(My cooperating teacher Dave Schmittou and myself helping students.)

East also provides a variety of extra curricular activities which promote student involvement in technology such as yearbook, science Olympiad, Tech Team, and the Talented and Gifted Program (TAG). TAG is a district wide program which allows students to broaden their intellectual capabilities including curriculum focusing on technology. 

According to the ISTE STaR school technology rating East Middle school is rated as a Mid Tech level school.  This means that technology is used primarily for communication and research use. MITTEN has allowed me to push my students beyond the Mid Tech level to use technology as part of an active learning environment to broaden technology skills and capabilities. 

(Students helping each other and having a good time.)

East Middle School's Mission Statement

We believe all children can learn and that lifelong learning is vital.
We will motivate, support and challenge our students in order to achieve their greatest potential (taken from the school website http://web.pccs.k12.mi.us/east/)

For Questions and Comments Please Contact me at

ccmarusak@hotmail.com