PT with Lynne Schalman

PT stands for "Personal Training"

For schools in the greater NYC area, we are offering a unique opportunity that has proven successful for schools in the Boston area: Lynne Schalman will provide one day per week for the entire school year of on site "personal training" for your faculty. Each school that has taken part in this program has found that the personal trainees have evolved into the CORE humanware of the school!

Over A Dozen Recs from Noble and Greenough, Thayer Academy and Park School

The PT program with Lynne Schalman is now being incorporated into the weekly routine of Thayer Academy, Noble and Greenough and Park School for 2002-03. Our plans are to move the program to New York City for the fall of 2003. Following is some feedback (used with permission of course). For more details, write summercore@chapin.edu or contact Lynne Schalman via LS@nobles.edu or call 781-862-8810 or 781-953-9698.

This program is block three of our four TC blocks.

1

Friday, June 7, 2002
Lynne Schalman is one of the most creative, original, patient, well-organized educators and tutors who could possibly deal with a subject as daunting and seemingly intimidating as technology. As a non-traditional student of Lynne's this past semester, I was privileged to gain a glimpse into the world of technology that, for the first time in my first 59 years, made the territory seem accessible, approachable, even fun. I've also seen her speak before groups that fill an ampitheatre and she has the same capacity there to make a complex and vast topic (tracking plagiarism via the internet) seem personal and intimate. In all respects, she is a pro and that is the highest compliment I could according anyone. I only wish I had met her earlier in my career.
-- Joyce Leffler Eldridge,Director of Communications, Noble and Greenough School

2

Thursday, June 13, 2002
I worked with Lynne beginning in January of 2002 through June; we met every Friday for 50 minutes. My knowledge of the workings of computers and the internet expanded by an incredible amount. I learned not only general information about the workings of computers and the internet, but also how to integrate this information into my classroom. This was something that I had struggled with, yet now I have a myriad of ideas that I can not wait to implement next year. Lynne was able to see that I needed basic information to increase my comfort level and easily provided all that I wanted to know. I highly reccommend her and hope that I make it onto her schedule when she returns to Thayer Academy next school year.
-- Kristan Gately (kgately@thayer.org), History Department, Thayer Academy

3

Thursday, June 6, 2002 Lynne has increased my computer literacy and reduced my anxiety these past two academic years a great deal. She has been enthusiastic and tremendously helpful. While I can't say I'm a natural with technology yet, she has been the primary reason why I am much more comfortable and facile with it now. She has suggested a great many helpful websites as well as having explained how to use multiple pieces of software that have proven to be quite useful and productive aids in my teaching. I can't say enough in appreciation.
-- Fred Hollister, History Teacher, Noble and Greenough School

4

Wednesday, May 29, 2002
I was one of those old fashioned english teachers who worried that tech and computers in the classroom was going to be all flash and nonsense, and collude with tv to ruin any chance i had of teaching writing, timeless values, or the love of language in literature. i credit lynn schalman with changing my mind. she genuinely cared about my issues, had a wealth of interesting knowledge to share with me, and worked individually with me to follow my own interests and needs for websites, and background materials. Being on her address book is a treat. Each week she sends me useful sites to visit because she always keeps my curriculum and projects in mind. she has been invaluable, personable, lively, and full of laughter and support. i could not have asked for more helpful guidance into a world i found shallow and confusing at first. i know now there is much to be gained by using the web as another friendly tool to connect with kids, and with books.
-- Sandra MacQuinn, Dean of Faculty, English Teacher, Noble and Greenough School

5

I have worked with Lynne Schalman for seven years, two of them in a more formal trainer trainee relationship with my laptops. During the other five I worked with her at her SummerCore program and around the Nobles computer department. She is extremely knowledgeable about both PC's and Macs. When there is something, a question or a technique, that she does not know about regadring computers she is quite good at modeling how to find the solutions or answers. For anyone learning to work with computers, the knowledge and confidence to seek their own solutions is invaluable. I found Lynne most helpful is helping me take my creative often overly complicated plans and working them into more useful forms, i.e. projects that can be accomplished in a short time rather than requiring a computer technician's abilities for a week. She has fine skills as a teacher and helped me focus on the skills I wanted the students to use to accomplish my computer based projects. She is a good listener and used those skills to graciously support my own agenda, whether it was my own computer skills or a project for my students. Such projects will have warts and are all works in progress. Lynne was wonderfully supportive and reassuring through all of mine helping me to amend and alter two or three of them. My recommendation for her comes without reservation.
-- Dan Matlack, Head of Classics Department (Dan_Matlack@nobles.edu)
-- Noble and Greenough School, Dedham, MA 02026

6

Thursday, May 30, 2002
The sessions of help with Lynne have been great for several reasons, not the least of which is the improvement of my Yiddish vocabulary. I have learned a great deal regarding the web and how the creation/construction of a web site can be both challenging and stimulating both technologically and philosophically. The technical points have been covered in a manner that forced me to repeat the process so that I could begin to develop the rudimentary skills necessary to go into my web site on my own. The more philosophical issues of content and purpose have been moments of discussion and advice but never pedantic or "know it all" expertise. I felt that it was a truly collegial and respectful enterprise...and we even had a few laughs.
-- Alden Mauck, English Teacher, Noble and Greenough School

7

Thursday, May 30, 2002
It was an absolute pleasure working with Lynne this past semester. She is enthusiastic, dedicated, informed, and most accomodating. Her computer knowledge is vast and she conveys the information in a clear and concise manner. Everything was done hands on,so she was sure I understood the concepts as well as the mechanics of the operations. No question was ever too insignificant for her. Her patience and sense of humor made every session not only informative but extremely pleasurable. In my twenty-five years of teaching I found this to be one of,if not the most valuable and practical workshops I have ever attended. If you want to upgrade your computer skills at your own pace in the direction you choose, Lynne is definitely the person for you. She's great!
-- Kathleen Neely, Thayer Academy

8

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 Working with Lynne has been a great pleasure. She is extremely creative and knowledgable--and, perhaps, of equal importance, she is willing to seek answers when she is stumped. There is rarely a session with her when we have made a discovery that she doesn't continue to pursue it after I leave--and the result is a quick note later in the day to update me, to explain a "find", or to share a new website. Lynne is energetic, smart, and fun to work with. I am very grateful for her support this year.
-- Vicky Seelen, English Department Head
-- Noble and Greenough School, Dedham, MA

9

Friday, May 31, 2002
My work with Lynne this year has been invaluable. Because this is the first year I have used ibooks in the classroom, her recommendations and indefatigable energy about technology have fostered confidence in me to try many new ways to immerse my students in literature and poetry. Lynne's background in English is a plus - she has a breadth of knowledge about software and internet ideas that is a huge resource. Any technological questions are answered immediately. Lynne is funny and irreverent in a wonderful way. She has been a tremendous support for me, and I look forward to working with her next year!
-- Sarah Snyder, English Teacher, Noble and Greenough School

10

Thursday, May 30, 2002
I had the good fortune to work with Lynne Schalman during the 2001-2002 school year. In the fall, a randomly assigned colleague and I met once a week with Lynne to investigate computer related topics selected by our school. We were trained in the use of an ibook and we also learned how to work with many software packages (i.e. inspiration, powerpoint, etc.). Lynne explained the information to us clearly and we learned quickly. Her enthusiasm was infectious, her thoughtfulness was immediately evident, and she also brought a wonderful sense of humor to each session. From the outset of our meetings in the fall, Lynne built a productive and enjoyable atmosphere that established wonderful comradery between my colleague and me.

In the second semester, I met individually with Lynne to investigate topics of my own choosing. Lynne was an excellent listener and was always able to address the specific topics on which I wanted to work. For example, Lynne helped me restructure my web page, find websites for AP Statistics projects, create a complicated powerpoint demonstration, and then create an imovie out of this powerpoint demonstration. Lynne was incredibly knowledgable and resourceful about her subject area and, on the few occasions when she did not know the answer to one of my questions, she always investigated the topic further and promptly got back in touch with me with a useful answer. Lastly, it was delight to work with Lynne independently; I thoroughly looked forward to our weekly meetings. While she was personable, supportive, and sensitive, she also was level-headed and maintained high standards.
-- Steve Toubman, Math Teacher, Noble and Greenough School

11

Friday, June 14, 2002
I looked forward to Lynne's weekly computer help this year. Due to her clear, step-by-step teaching approach, I finally have begun to understand the workings of the computer. I no longer have to perform tasks on the computer by rote as I understand what I am doing and why. My life is so much easier now that Lynne helped me to develop my e-mail address book, organize my folders and files, set up my rank book, and gain access to outstanding educational websites. Lynne is a born teacher who inspired me, a teacher of thirty years, to master the computer so that I can be a more effective teacher. I look forward to learning how to make a slide show so that I can pass on my knowledge to my students. I can't say enough about Lynne and the many positive learning experiences I've had with her this year.
-- Susan Witt, Class Dean, Thayer Academy (rhw8@beld.net)

12

It gives me great pleasure to recommend Lynne Schalman to you. I have known Lynne for nearly four years, primarily in my role as a history teacher at the Noble & Greenough School in Dedham, Mass. During that time Lynne has done a wonderful job tutoring me in the many ways of incorporating technology in my classroom and beyond. When I arrived at the Noble and Greenough School in the fall of 1998 I had never used a computer in my classes before. Thanks to the training and support I received from Lynne and others, I am now teaching laptop-based courses exclusively. In my classes, students use computers to take notes, go on virtual trips, do web-based research and assignments, take tests and quizzes, turn in essays, make graphic-based outlines, produce slide shows and, soon, to make documentary films. I also use computers to formulate web-based assignments, prepare graphic presentations, view CD-ROMS , grade essays and tests, record grades, create and maintain a course web page, send e-mail to students, and more. I am teaching in ways that I couldnąt have imagined only a few years ago.

Lynne has done all of this without overwhelming me -- and always with grace. I don't always quickly understand the technologies she shows, but Lynne is great about varying ways of presenting the material so I understand and is unfailingly patient. I never come out of a meeting feeling that I was rushed or pushed. I have benefited a great deal from my lessons with Lynne these last four years and I look forward to many more fruitful and productive sessions with her.
-- Tom Daccord, History Teacher/Instructional Technology Consultant
-- Noble and Greenough School (Thomas_Daccord@nobles.edu)
-- Best of History Web Sites (www.besthistorysites.net)

13

I have been fortunate enough to have some wonderful academic experiences in my life. I love being a student and I am passionate about great teaching. There is no doubt in my mind that Lynne is one of the finest teachers who I have ever worked with. Her ability to make the complicated seem easy is a gift that I wish I possessed. She is thoughtful, flexible and remarkably funny. Every day that I meet with Lynne is a day that I become a better, and more technologically advanced teacher. My only regret is that I didn't meet her sooner than I did. I consider it a blessing that I am able to call Lynne my teacher.
--Alex Keenan-Gallagher, Noble & Greenough School
--History Department, Class IV Dean, Head of Boarding

14

Monday, March 3, 2002
Lynne Schalman has been my computer instructor for the past year. She is a gifted teacher who continues to teach me invaluable computer skills that enable me to be a more effective classroom English teacher. Lynne always makes me feel that all of my questions are important--no matter how many times I ask them. Her explanations are very clear and concise, and her clever teaching techniques help me remember her instructions. I look forward to my weekly sessions with Lynne. She always asks me what my students are studying and offers helpful teaching suggestions and resourses. In fact, many of my students have gotten to know her and stop by each week to ask Lynne for computer help or to discuss her passion--basketball. Lynne continues to teach me how to navigate the Web efficiently. She researches and shares with me outstanding Webquests, grammar, literature, drama sites, and many more. She set up my e-mail, my computer rank book, taught me Inspiration, and Power Point. The list is endless. I have grown in my teaching as a direct result of working with Lynne. In turn, my students have also benefitted. I recommend Lynne enthusiastically and without reservation. She is a teacher extrordinaire.
-- Susan Witt English Teacher, Thayer Academy
-- Senior Dean

15

Monday, March 3, 2003
Taking Lynne Schalman's computer training course has been a phenomenal treat. As a librarian, I have found her input so enriching in a variety of important ways. My job in organizing for author visits has been streamlined thanks to her practical advice. She is wonderfully clear, direct, personable, warm and humorous. She has the uncanny ability to transfer the computer into a "cuddly object" able to take on major tasks. Lynne is very organized, yet always keeps in mind the interests, abilities and needs of those she teaches so well. --Annabelle, Librarian, Park School

16

Monday, March 3, 2003
Lynne Schalman would make a great addition to any school because she is first and foremost a teacher. While she has an amazing grasp of what is useful and available on the web, in addition to a knowledge of a multitude of software programs, the thing that makes her so valuable is her knowledge as a teacher. Lynne understands that technology is just a vehicle to further students' learning. Because of this understanding, Lynne's ideas are always geared towards furthering my goals as a teacher. She is a good collaborator because she is able to listen to my needs, and then craft a technology solution that works in the classroom. In addition to all of this competence, Lynne is just plain fun to have around. Her lively, animated, and capable presence is just what "techies" and Luddites alike need to navigate the crowded and complicated technology waters. Please contact me at allison_webster@parkschool.org if I can offer any additional information or support. -- Allison Webster, Park School

17

Tuesday, March 4, 2003

When I began my current position as Director of Information Technology nine years ago, we sent a dozen teachers to Summercore at the recommendation of several of my colleagues from local schools. Summercore is a summer professional development workshop for teachers to build core technology skills and to learn techniques for integrating technology into the regular curriculum. Lynne and her husband Steve Bergen have been successfully teaching technology skills to teachers at Summercore since computers first appeared on the school landscape. Our teachers who attended Summercore that first year, and several years since, consistently returned with tales of Lynne Schalman as a skillful and inspirational teacher of technology skills.

When The Park School needed a consultant to work with a group of seventeen teachers in this the inaugural year of our "Faculty Initiative with Technology" (a yearlong professional development program which provides teachers with the full-time use of a laptop computer, high speed Internet access at home, and ongoing instruction and support) I of course instantly called on Lynne Schalman. She has met the challenge of this important program with skill, patience, flexibility, enthusiasm and good humor. She meets weekly with teachers in one-to-one, small group, and large group instructional sessions. She follows up with ongoing support as they use their new skills in their classrooms and for their own professional productivity. The teachers in this program range from those who are rank beginners and self-professed technology luddites to teachers with strong technology background seeking to take their skills to new levels. Lynne works equally well with teachers of all skill and confidence levels. Teachers instantly recognize her as "one of them", a teacher of children, not a technology zealot with no understanding of the day-to-day life of real teachers.

I enthusiastically recommend Lynne Schalman as a skilled teacher of teachers, a professional educator with a special talent for sharing her enthusiasm for technology tools with teachers of children of all ages.
-- Thomas R. Smith -- Director of Information Technology The Park School