Renee Jorae

Educator - St. Johns Middle School, St. Johns, MI (2004 - Present)

Current Supervisors: Principal Adel DiOrio, Assistant Principal Dan Kemsley

Previous Supervisors: Scot Henry, Mark Palmer, Jeff Elfred, Dennis Toth, Bryan Purves

Duties: Develop, plan, maintain, and teach various middle school courses including Technology, Modular Technology, Art, Mathematics and Science. 

Online Presence: St. Johns Middle School Website, St. Johns Middle School Facebook Page

 

Course Details (2004 - Present)

• Computer Literacy / Basic Computers: Blended Learning Instructor

Responsibilities include developing, maintaining and teaching online course and curriculum daily in a face to face environment. This is a required 12 week course which covers the Michigan Educational Technology Standards (METS). Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly. The entire course is interactive and online using Moodle learning Management System with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.

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• Coding Level 1 / Advanced Computers 7: Blended Learning Instructor 

Responsibilities include developing, maintaining and teaching online course and curriculum daily in a face to face environment. This is a 7th grade introductory course for basic programming.  All project-based assignments utilize open-source programming tool called Scratch. In addition, students learn to program a Finch Robot Using Code.Org Lessons. Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly. The entire course is interactive, online and utilizes Moodle Learning Management System with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.

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• Coding Level 2 / Advanced Computers 8: Blended Learning Instructor

Responsibilities include developing, maintaining and teaching online course and curriculum daily in a face to face environment. This is an 8th grade introductory course in basic 3D programming. All project-based assignments utilize open-source programming tool called Alice. In addition, students learn to program a Finch Robot.  Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly The entire course is interactive, online, and utilizes Moodle with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.

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• Digital Media Level 1 / Digital Design 7: Blended Learning Instructor

Responsibilities include developing, maintaining and teaching online course and curriculum daily in a face to face environment. This is a 7th grade introductory course utilizing technology to expand creative expression and communication. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and use digital media to communicate, educate, and entertain others. Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly. The entire course is interactive, online, and utilizes Edmodo Learning Management System with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.

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• Digital Media Level 2 / Digital Design 8: Blended Learning Instructor  

Responsibilities include developing, maintaining and teaching online course and curriculum daily in a face to face environment. This is an 8th grade introductory course utilizing technology to expand creative expression and communication.  Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and use digital media to communicate, educate, and entertain others. All project-based assignments utilize open-source 3D Design tools:  SketchUp and Tynkercad. Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly The entire course is interactive, online, and utilizes Moodle with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.

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• Video Production  Educator / Producer

Video Production is a project-based learning experience over twelve weeks, that introduces students to the basics of video production. Students work collaboratively in a micro-society learning format taking on various video production roles - director, editor, videographer, lead talent, and supporting talent. Students are blazing a trail by working collaboratively as a team to produce a valuable, authentic video for our greater community. Video editing software is Pinnacle Studio 17.

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• Middle School Modular Technology Educator (2007 - 2010) & (2016 - 2017)

Responsibilities included course facilitation, maintaining LabVolt computer based learning system, web based learning system, and modular multimedia educational programs.  Modules included Manufacturing and CO2 Car design, Space and Rocketry, Electronics, Robotics, Flight Simulation, Fiber Optics and Lasers, Computer Graphics and Design, Engineering, Radio Broadcasting, Electronic Music and Lego Robotics. Provide instruction, safety lessons and oversee students using power tools: belt sander, drill press, hand brake. Woodworking projects require my expertise using a band saw.  

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Middle School Administrative Team Responsibilities (2009 - Present)

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• Curriculum Alignment – Atlas Admin Team (2013 - Present)

Atlas is a tool to organize, communicate and disseminate curricular content providing opportunities to manage curriculum and share instructional best practices across grade levels, subjects, schools and cultures. Responsibilities include training and support for educators throughout the district as needed.

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• Instructional Coach (2013 - Present)

The purpose of Instructional Coaching is to provide opportunities to collaborate with other staff members to find ways to engage students and increase achievement.  Instructional coaches help teachers increase students’ behavioral engagement, emotional engagement, and cognitive engagement.  In SJPS newly tech-laden climate, the use of technology has the potential to build this capacity and empower teachers in new ways.

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• Technology Integration Training / School Improvement Facilitator (2011 - 2012)

One of the SJMS School Improvement Goals was to integrate technology and improve communication.  I co-facilitated monthly meetings providing training for SJMS staff members and provided training and support after school for small groups or individuals. I also developed an interactive website which provided a support system to improve staff communication and troubleshoot technology issues.

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• District Level Technology Committee (2009 - 2013)

The committee focus was to provide input for the selection of building and classroom multimedia devices, teacher devices and student devices after the SJPS bond issue passed in 2010. 

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Middle School Art Educator Grade 6 (2009 - 2010)

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Middle School Science Quest Educator Grade 7 (2007 - 2008)

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Middle School STARS Educator Grade 6 (2004 - 2007)

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Middle School Mathematics Educator Grade 6 (2004 - 2007)