ABOUT SHARI

I really wanted to make a living as an artist, but for 30 years, I was an English teacher, librarian and technology educator where I made art every single day. Now, in retirement, my media is digital, the websites and other projects are literate, clear and visually interesting. And I can write, design, produce and distribute your message through a custom website, on a mobile device, or with print projects like brochures, a business card, flyer, menu, eBooks, etc. 

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Looking back, I recognize that my aspirations all had a common theme – they all involved interesting gadgets... microscopes and telescopes, pencils, pens and art supplies. I was 39 when I first put my hands on a computer. It seems I had been waiting for this device all my life... it was the ultimate gadget.

 

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY - GADGET HEAVEN

 

I was a middle school English teacher, an 18 year classroom veteran, when I became a Media Specialist in the Library Media Center. A library media specialist (1. helps students connect with ideas and information and (2. allows them to demonstrate their understanding. My first Macintosh (A Mac SE20) showed me that technology can do both. For me, technology was a merging of my love of literature and science with my passion for gadgets. What I came to believe about technology and its impact on learning was shaped in the 1990's through my work with Apple Computer.

 

I was lucky to be an Apple Core Trainer"in the early days of Apple Education. I learned the ropes of educational technology at what is called the "Mother Ship" in Cupertino, CA. Dr. Martha Rolley, of Apple Education, taught me one of my core educational values, "It is not about the technology, it's about learning." As a certified Palm™ Education Training Coordinator (PETC), I helped teachers and students learn how to use hand-held computers to support their work. Now, a gadget like the iPad is capable of providing amazing access to ideas and information and provide un-thought-of ways to communicate understanding. The challenge falls to educators to design and orchestrate the learning experiences to match the capabilities of new technologies. It's about learning, not the gadget.

 

My last ten years in teaching were spent as the Coordinator of Learning Resources at Saxe Middle School in the New Canaan Public Schools. In this amazing job, I collaborated with classroom teachers to design challenging lessons and units which use technology to support learning. As manager of the library media center and the school's network, I learned even more about the role technology could play in teaching and learning. And along the way, I taught educational technology to students who were training to be teachers at Fairfield University and presented countless workshops and seminars and teacher training institutes. From software to technology integration, my experiences have left me with a wide range of expertise.

 

PAST AWARDS AND HONORS

 

During my teaching career, I was honored to receive a Celebration of Excellence Award from the State of Connecticut and a Network Publications Award from ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.) I was lucky enough to be designated a Master Teacher by PBS - WNET/13 and received a Golden Apple Award for my work with instructional video in the classroom. I taught in Westport Connecticut for two years and was nominated there for Teacher of the Year. I was proud to receive a Rheta A. Clark Award from the Connecticut Educational Media Association (CEMA) for "outstanding contributions to the library media field."

 

I was very proud to have been a consultant to the Peace Corps and their philosophy of inquiry-based learning. As the public school representative on the Connecticut Association of Independent School's (CAIS) Technology Council, I was a presenter at the CAIS Technology Institute for many summers. I was a staff member at Camp Apple, a summer technology camp for teachers, sponsored by Apple Education. After Camp Apple ended, I worked with friends from all over the country as we staffed edVentures in Technology, a summer experience for teachers and administrators. These professional development opportunities have allowed me to work with some of the country's best educators.

 

CURRENTLY

 

After 30 years of writing and teaching both students and teachers, I have a wide range of technology and communication skills. I can create websites and do print projects that involve desktop publishing, I can give presentations and create databases. But even more importantly, my work with teachers and kids gave me a deeper understanding of how people learn and communicate. Rainbowtech Designs is all about communicating through the art... with design, color that support the words.

 

I am a self-employed graphic artist and website designer. I live in St Petersburg, Florida. I have worked part time at the Apple Store in Tampa as a One-to-One trainer. When summer comes, we return to beautiful Sylvia Lake in Northern New York, where I've created and manage an online community, sylvialakeny.com and have the pleasure of doing websites for local towns, museums, organizations and small businesses. Check my Portfolio to see them.

 

As it turned out, no matter where I happen to be, because of gadgets, I am able to stay connected, be creative... and make art that communicates.