Meet our Featured Teacher: Lauren Hallman

Lauren Hallman       
English Teacher      
Bishop Ludden Jr./Sr. High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse

Congratulations to Lauren Hallman, our Featured Teacher for May! Lauren has been teaching seventh, 10th and 11th grade English at Bishop Ludden Junior-Senior High School since 2016.

How has Lauren brought innovation to her classroom? 

Lauren has spent this school year leveraging all of the past professional development she’s received into getting her seventh, 10^th, and 11^th grade students familiar with their 1:1 Chromebooks. She was the first teacher in the diocese schools to use Google Keep in her classroom, where her students take notes that can then be used in Google Docs.
 
In one of Lauren’s recent projects, she asked her 11th grade English students to analyze William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” tasking them with creating a podcast that discussed important literary elements and the connection of those elements to modern pop culture. Students used an online app called Soundtrap to collaborate on, record, and edit their podcasts throughout the project. Lauren enjoys allowing students to use their Chromebooks to do research, write, and collaborate on projects just like this.
 

How have students and staff benefited from Lauren's technology integration initiatives?

Lauren uses technology to bring the world to her students. They are working on developing soft skills such as communication and collaboration, with her support and the use of G Suite, Soundtrap, and Kami. There has been a big difference in the culture of Lauren's classroom over the past nine months, as she’s transitioned into becoming more of a facilitator rather than a traditional lecturer. Her students are more accountable for their own learning with Lauren at the helm, and as a result, their understanding of literature in the real world has broadened considerably.
 

Is This You?

Are you the type of teacher who thinks about technology integration and new ways to enhance instruction, engage students, and make learning fun?  Know someone who fits the profile?  Recommend a "Featured Teacher" so we can recognize and celebrate great work in the area of instructional technology!