Teacher of the Week: Lisa Paul Uses Technology to Teach | Schools
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A First Coast teacher is joining kinesthetics and technology and using the pair to help special needs students.
Ms. Lisa Paul's John E. Ford classroom is alive with excitement, even before the students arrive.
Along with many books, her touch-friendly classroom boasts fish, gerbils and geckos, which serve as unique learning tools.
Hands-on learning is a huge part of the Montessori teacher's kinesthetic method.
New touch screen computers she's receiving through an Unsung Heroes grant will join kinesthetics with technology.
But they aren't for her students; they are for children in a special education class.
"Some of our children are non-verbal," explained Elba Leucht. "The only way they can communicate is by touching.
Several times a week, Ms. Paul and her students head downstairs to tutor and spend time with Ms. Leucht's special needs class.
While learning more about the special needs students, Paul's class will be teaching them how to use the touch screens. But she doesn't take credit for the idea.
"My son also has special needs," Paul said.
The proud, adoptive mother of 6 was inspired by her 8-year-old son, who has learning and physical disabilities. She watched him come alive with her own touch screen computer and wanted to bring the opportunity to others.
The classes will receive the computers sometime in October. She hopes to be approved for a larger Unsung Heroes grant next to provide more touch-screen computers.