Our Learning Team is composed of teachers and professionals that are life-long learners. We are very excited to provide you with these Project Based Learning Kits. We have internally discussed what we remember learning throughout our K-8 years and what stands out is never an essay about this or that. What we vividly remember are the special projects and presentations. We even still have some of the books we created stored away in memory boxes! Those personalized projects made us feel as if we were experts on those topics and we were excited to show them off to friends and family. Of course, they are made of construction paper, inscribed with pen and marker, but it is the hands-on learning that has made the biggest impression on us. It was what inspired us to be the hands-on learners and teachers that we are today.
Lynda HollerPresident & FounderGreat Software Tools, LLC Bachelor of Science, Fashion Design and Merchandising, Ohio University |
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“I believe that although everyone may not feel they are artistic, everyone is creative if they have the right tools and training. I worked for 25 years in the fashion industry and came to realize that average computer users didn’t know how to work with graphics. Then I noticed that the cut & paste projects that kids were doing in school these days looked about the same as when I was in school! I am dedicated to providing the Tools and Teaching that will engage students in learning and transform their projects into valuable learning opportunities that prepare them for 21st century careers.” |
Kay Burke, Ph.D.Kay Burke & Associates, Inc.
Author of 5 bestselling books on assessment published by Corwin Press and Solution Tree Press. International speaker, specializing in assessment.
Expert in Assessment of the Common Core Standards online course, Co-produced by Knowledge Delivery System (KDS), New York, and Solution Tree Publishing, Bloomington, IN
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“These creative performance task units are designed to integrate technology throughout the teaching and learning process and engage students in rigorous and exciting standards-based assessment. Teachers can add these units to their curriculum repertoire and know that students will be excited to be involved with a projects-based approach to instruction.” |
Maureen Del GuidiceCommunications ManagerGreat Software Tools, LLC Lehman College - Bronx, NY |
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“I have been working with the creator of Graphics-Toolbox, Lynda Holler, for a number of years now. I know a good thing when I see it and Graphics-Toolbox is one of the 21st century’s "Best Kept Secrets". It is filling a void in technology and it is only a matter of time before Graphics-Toolbox & the Project Based Learning Kits revolutionize education. I am so happy to be part of this ground breaking technology!” |
Melissa Weiderhold
5th Grade Teacher, Being with Children Charter School, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(formerly 3rd & 4th Grade Teacher, Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School)
Hofstra University Undergraduate Majors: Elementary Education and PsychologyIn progress- Touro College Masters of Science in Literacy: Graduation date is Sept 2012 |
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“These project kits are a great way to bring the rigor and the fun in learning together. I enjoy seeing how the students, who are so naturally acclimated to the computer, are able to express their unique creativity and knowledge in professional formats. It is truly amazing to be a part of team that will make a difference in the future of our students.” |
Debra Elk5th Grade Special Ed Teacher, Brewster Central School DistrictBachelor of Arts, Elementary Education Preschool to Grade 6, SUNY Cortland Duel Masters in Special Education and Literacy Kindergarten to Grade 12, Manhattanville College |
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“I am excited to be a part of this project to make learning come to life. As a special education teacher it is crucial to match the content being explored to my students’ capabilities. It should be noted that when I received my degree, gifted students were part of the special education charge. So when I say "all students’ capabilities" I mean from the most struggling learner to the learner who needs to be challenged and pushed to their potential. These units are built with the rigorous Common Core Standards in mind, but at the same time allow students the freedom of choice in their exploration. These units are flexible enough for teachers to fine tune them to meet the individual needs of any group. It is the student's choice, teacher's flexibility, and the design to meet all learners where they are that excites me the most about these lessons.” |
Justine JacobsonKindergarten Teacher, Mt. Vernon City School DistrictBachelor of Science, Elementary Education, Iona College Master of Science, Educational Computing, Iona College |
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“Motivating students is always a challenge especially in today’s digital world. Integrating technology into the classroom is a sure motivator. We wish to offer educators, like myself, comprehensive units that meet the new Common Core Learning Standards though the use of easy to use, current technology. I am honored to be part of this innovative project.” |
Christine BaileyEnglish Professor, Housatonic Community CollegeBachelor of Arts, English, Connecticut State University Master of Arts, English, Connecticut State University |
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“Being a part of this innovative educational project is very exciting. These educational kits will help to modernize the standard teaching curriculum to better prepare children and adolescents for their future. By incorporating the use of technology with traditional teaching methods, these kits offer a multi-faceted, creative and fun approach to education.” |
Charlotte Cavanagh2nd Grade Assistant Teacher, Brewster Central School DistrictBachelor of Arts, Communications Arts, College of Mount. St. Vincent |
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“I am excited to be a part of this project because it is allowing me to use my writing skills integrated with my recent experiences working with elementary school children. Young children are naturally curious and enthusiastic. They are like sponges and are capable of retaining a lot of information when it is presented to them in a fun and unique way. I believe that these kits provide that sense of fun and are unique, thus the children will learn as they utilize them!” |
Sally RosenbergCOO and Co-founder, Game Builders AcademyBachelor of Arts, Fine Arts/Marketing, State University of New York at Albany Master of Arts, Communications/Computer Graphics, New York Institute of Technology |
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“Our goal at Game Builders Academy has always been to get students excited about learning by integrating subjects students are naturally attracted to – such as Video Game Development, Robotics, 3D Computer Animation, and Fashion Design -- with the core academic requirements. These education kits take this same approach and incorporate the core curriculum standard requirements and integrate them into easy-to-use projects that children will want to complete! Students learn while having fun. What could be better?” |