Schools

Ralston Teacher Honored for Innovative Tech Program

Angela Sveda designed a program for middle school students that gives them the skills needed for 21st century careers.

It's a concept that may be hard for some adults to wrap their heads around--eco poetry and integrating movie making with real world issues--but for Ralston Middle School students, tech innovation in the classroom is a natural and progressive way of learning--especially in the 21st century.

And that innovation has earned Ralston Middle School teacher Angela Sveda praise not just from her home district, but by tech giant Microsoft.

Sveda was honored by Microsoft last year for her creation, Storytech. The elective program that she teaches at the middle school integrates STEM (computer programming) with the district's Common Core English-Language Arts standards.

Find out what's happening in Belmontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"21st century learning is happening in the (BRSSD) district,and it's happening in our schools" said Sveda at a Jan. 17 meeting of the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District Board of Trustees.

"Mr. Yager was my mentor and I'm carrying the torch," she said referring to Bryan Yager, the retired teacher who was the original techie at Ralston, transitioning Industrial Arts into Industrial Technology.

Find out what's happening in Belmontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In her class, students collaborate to design movies, 2D and 3D videogames, and 3D animations based on real-world issues. In the process, they use the skills needed for 21st century careers; creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem-solving, and communication and collaboration.

"Our students are savvy, they're quick, and they're smart and we want to have them ready for high school and have THEM be the ones other kids come to for help," Sveda said enthusiastically about her program.

BRSSD interim co-superintendent Nellie Hungerford acknowledged Sveda's work and noted that Sveda has been nominated for a Kent Award.

"We are extraordinarily proud of your work--you represent the best of our teachers," said Hungerford.

Sveda and her class represented California at the national Microsoft Innovative Educator Forum 2012 in Seattle, WA last year.

Has your son or daughter taken Angela Sveda's Storytech class? Tell us about it in the comment section below.

Read more school news on Belmont Patch:

Carlmont Students to Host First-Ever Women's Conference

Introducing 'Hoop Dreams: Carlmont Scots Basketball'

Time to Enroll for 2013-14 BRSSD School Year


Don’t be left out of the conversation taking place in Belmont--Sign up for our daily newsletter|Like Belmont|Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Start your own blog


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here