About
Mary Ann Rechtfertig
Mary Ann Rechtfertig has been a technology-using educator and
professional developer for more than fifteen years.
As a classroom teacher, Mary Ann develops new and innovative approaches to technology integration, using various technologies and standards-based curriculum and instruction.
Mary Ann emphasizes constructivist
and inquiry-based uses of technology to improve teaching and learning. She
also authors curriculum and technology activities (e.g. California!
Coming to a New Land.) In 2000, Mary Ann received C.T.A.P.'s Teacher
Recognition Award..
Mary Ann also helps other educators learn practical strategies for using technology with students. Mary Ann has served as:
• a Dixie School District Technology Mentor
• a Marin County Office of Education technology program developer and leader
• a Marin County Multimedia Coach, helping K-12 teachers
• a curriculum and technology integration specialist and demonstration teacher for the Berkeley Unified School District
• the Professional Development Coordinator for the Teacher Led Technology Challenge Project, a U.S.D.O.E. Technology Innovation Challenge Grant
Mary Ann's training programs reflect her belief that teachers learn technical skills best in “real world” contexts, especially as they plan activities to use with students. See Dixie's Digital Days, Cyberhunt Learning Module, and Windows on the World.
To accommodate diverse teaching styles, interests, and technical skill levels, teachers benefit from a wide variety of adult learning options and entry points. See Integrating Technology With A Dinosaur Unit, created by Mary Ann for the kindergarten teachers in her district.
Mary Ann helps schools and districts build effective in-house professional development and leadership programs. Last year, Mary Ann authored comprehensive Curriculum and Professional Development components that have become the backbone of the Dixie District Education and Technology Plan. Mary Ann is currently a district leader in this Plan’s implementation.
Mary Ann Rechtfertig has an enthusiastic and tireless commitment to the goals set forth by the Commission on Technology in Learning (CTL.) The CTL believes that "California has the opportunity to reemerge as a national educational leader by investing in its schools and working with educators to integrate the technologies that will enhance and enable teaching, learning, pedagogy, and school management."
Key CTL goals are for "all educators (to) receive the training, resources, and support necessary to appropriately and effectively integrate technology into curriculum, assessment, pedagogy, and school management," and, "(all) districts and schools will offer systemic professional development, which cultivates leadership skills and encourages experimentation with the effective uses of technology."
See Ms. Mary Ann Rechtfertig's Classroom Homepage.