West Essex to Host Second Annual Technology Symposium March 2

West Essex Regional Schools presents WE Tech Symposium, the Second Annual Technology Symposium March 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at West Essex Regional High School.

 About 200 educators, school administrators and members of the public are expected to attend this dynamic event, which will feature Keynote Speaker Scott Rocco, Superintendent of the Spotswood School District, as well as many other innovative workshops. The theme for the symposium this year is "Formula for Success: Technology + Teaching=Student Engagement."Registration, which is now open, is free. For symposium information and registration, please visit www.westex.org/wetech.

 Speakers include Patrick Higgins, Kevin Jarrett, Tynia Thomassie, Lisa Thumann and others. Learn about animation, QR codes, BYOD, STEM, IPads, Edmodo, Twitter, Pinterest, LiveBinders and much more. Also new this year is the ECCR Leadership Workshop. Teachers can also earn professional development hours at the event. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

 Last year, more than 180 educators and members of the public spent a Saturday in March learning about the innovative use of technology in education at the first annual event. This dynamic free event attracted teachers, media specialists, school administrators and community members from throughout New Jersey who spent the day attending workshops on everything from digital storytelling to using Ipads in the classrooms. They also listened to three keynote addresses by educational technology experts. Many participants said they found last year's symposium “inspiring” and said it would make a difference in their classrooms.

 West Essex High School Freshman Social Studies teacher C.J. Rauch said he enjoyed picking up “a lot of new ideas and specific things that I can apply to my classroom practices.”  West Essex High School Spanish Teacher Raquel Williams approached West Essex Superintendent of Schools Barbara Longo with her idea in the fall of 2011 and with Mrs. Longo’s support, created a committee of administrators and media specialists to launch the first ever West Essex Technology Symposium. Williams worked closely with West Essex Media Specialists Rosemary Rich and Catherine Spinella to launch the event.

 The West Essex Regional School District serves students from grades 7-12 from North Caldwell, Roseland, Essex Fells and Fairfield. The District’s beautiful campus is located in the hills of North Caldwell at 65 W. Greenbrook Road.