Technology Integration

Three members of the Central Office staff represented Alexander City Schools by presenting a session at the Alabama Educational Technology Conference (AETC) in Mobile, Alabama. Brigitte McCawley - ACS Technology Integration Specialist, Kenyatta Simmons - ACS Reading Specialist, and Mary Elizabeth Walker - ACS STEM Specialist presented a session focused on intentional transformation of the classroom environment to more effectively align with 21st Century Student-Centered learning.

Topics addressed included the following:

Academic, Cross-Curricular Standards Alignment
Student-Center Learning Design & Lesson Planning
Student-Centered Design of the Learning Environment
Student-Centered Academic Engagement

Classroom Management & Social Emotional Components
Academic Language & Discourse
Meaningful, Authentic Embedded Assessment

Attendees were provided with resources to empower them to begin a transformation process in their own classrooms and schools. Conference attendees expressed appreciation, valuable connections were made, and the experience was enjoyable for all.

Brigitte McCawley is the Technology Integration Specialist for Alexander City Schools. Her experience includes self-contained as well as subject-specific classroom instruction, 21st Century media center, makerspace design and management, and curriculum design for project-based learning and Design Thinking both locally and for the Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX). She continues to serve as a professional development designer and facilitator on the local and state levels supporting teachers in the areas of growth mindset and authentic engagement through standards-aligned, cross-curricular technology integration.

Brigitte holds the following credentials:

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education: University of Mobile
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education: University of Mobile
Master of Education - Curriculum and Instruction: Technology (K-12 Curricular Tech Integration): Grand Canyon University
Certified: Designing With Google
Nearpod Certified Educator
Member: International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
Member: Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology (ALET)
Member: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Member: Alabama School Library Association (ALSA)
Member: 2025 Cohort for the ALET Alabama Technology Integration Coach (ALTIC) Certification Program
Member: Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA)
Director: Alabama Consortium for Technology in Education-ACTE Region 9

Badge Certifications

Flipped Classroom
Project Based Learning
ViewSonic
Performance Matters
Screencastify
Schoology
MagicSchool AI

Technology integration is an integral component within Alexander City Schools, and it serves as a catalyst for opportunity by providing equity in accessibility and prompting the deeper engagement necessary to improve learning outcomes. Technology-integrated learning experiences that are intentionally aligned to Alabama standards increase exposure and accessibility to the people, places, and things that students might not otherwise be exposed to.
Through continuous improvement efforts by faculty and staff, our students will be given the opportunity to develop and refine 21st Century skills (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity) through activities, such as

authentic, real-world communication and collaboration through interactive video and open-ended questions that enable students to engage in the use of academic language and conversation within whole-group, small-group and individual activities;
digital content, such as interactive mind maps, graphic organizers, and productivity apps that include live research, highlighting, annotating, and commenting features;
live, interactive learning experiences with and from their peers as well as experts in various career fields and subject areas outside of the classroom and in various parts of the world; and
collaborative projects that promote the development of problem solving and critical thinking skills as well as the empathy and soft skills needed in working with others.

Alexander City Schools takes seriously the fact that we are not preparing students for a 21st Century world, as they are already in that world. We collectively understand that we are called to equip them to efficiently navigate their existing world and innovate their future.

Technology Integration

Alex City Schools at AETC!

Brigitte McCawley, Technology Integration Specialist

Technology Integration in Alexander City Schools

Through continuous improvement efforts by faculty and staff, our students will be given the opportunity to develop and refine 21st Century skills (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity) through activities, such as

authentic, real-world communication and collaboration through interactive video and open-ended questions that enable students to engage in the use of academic language and conversation within whole-group, small-group and individual activities;

digital content, such as interactive mind maps, graphic organizers, and productivity apps that include live research, highlighting, annotating, and commenting features;

live, interactive learning experiences with and from their peers as well as experts in various career fields and subject areas outside of the classroom and in various parts of the world; and

collaborative projects that promote the development of problem solving and critical thinking skills as well as the empathy and soft skills needed in working with others.