At CTL, we’re dedicated to transforming classrooms by way of technology, which is why we are committing grant resources every month during the school year to the K103 Honor Roll program. The K103 Honor Roll program, supported by CTL, K103, and Concordia University, recognizes and supports outstanding educators in the Portland metro area who are transforming their classrooms into places of impactful learning and development.
This October, the first Honor Roll teacher recognized was Kala Ott, a 5th Grade Teacher at John Wetten Elementary School in Gladstone, Oregon. Kala is in her 7th year of teaching, and she loves helping her students grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally to better prepare them to become great citizens of the world.
CTL offered Kala a $2500 grant to be used for classroom technology to help her continue making a difference in her students’ lives. We caught up with her to ask for her perspectives on teaching and how she thought new technology could transform her classroom.
Q: What is at the heart of your teaching philosophy?
A: Reaching the whole child is the heart of my teaching philosophy. My goal is to get to know them for who they are and let them know how loved and celebrated they are. I can't do any effective teaching if I don't have that love at the foundation of my relationship with them.
Q: What are some of the exciting ways that technology can be used to transform learning?
A: Technology has an incredible ability to reach a greater, more diverse group of learners. Incorporating technology into learning activities helps reach the kids who aren't built for traditional pencil-paper school activities, which has truly become the majority! I also believe that exposing kids to technology in the classroom is a powerful tool in preparing them for the modern world.
Q: How would you like to see technology transform your classroom?
A: My dream is to have a full class set of Chromebooks! I would love to see my kids accessing Google applications, coding programs, and learning how to responsibly create their own digital footprints. I would also love to introduce my kids to robotics tools, both online and with the actual hardware needed, for them to gain hands-on experience.
We're glad to honor and support the outstanding educators in the Portland area who are making a difference in the lives of students in their schools each month. Thank you to educators like Kala who contribute to making our schools great! If you know an outstanding Educator in the Portland, Oregon metro area, nominate them for the K103 Honor Roll here.
CTL has many Chrome for classroom devices that are perfect for the best student learning experience.
