Apple SWAT Team
A small group of student leaders prep to help their classmates with technology
Written by Michelle Bothel, Elementary Instructional Technologist
Technology has exploded and become an essential part of
our everyday lives. We’ve come so far, so fast, as a society,
that it’s hard to keep up with all of the advances we’ve
made in the last decade.
It seems like kids have a better grasp of using technology
than most adults, so why don’t we use their knowledge
to lead others?
The Apple Student Leadership program, a national
program that develops students to be a learning resource
for their schools, has arrived in Crowley ISD to answer
that question.
Sixteen fifth-graders from schools across the district
make up the Crowley ISD SWAT (Students Who Advance
Technology) team. Using a curriculum developed by
Apple, these students will focus on using technology as a
tool for academic learning.
Every SWAT Team meeting focuses on standards of behaviors,
interpersonal skills and communication skills necessary to be a
student leader.
Students create models to demonstrate proficiency
with Apple productivity and creativity apps. They meet
regularly with the program leader to monitor their
progress, and students present their completed projects
to an Apple professional development specialist for
evaluation. As each model is completed, students earn
badges that they wear so they can be identified as a
technology expert. These students aspire to finish the
year as “Apple student mentors” who will be able offer
technology support to peers and teachers.
The program’s goal is for students to become a school technology
resource and support a positive learning environment.
The SWAT team will work throughout the school year
to develop their skills in public speaking, mentoring,
leadership and customer service. The goal of the program
is to build school resources by promoting a student-led
culture of technology integration.
The program combines face-to-face learning with selfdirected learning. Student resources include the Apple
Student Mentor book, technology checklists and the
iTunes U Learning series.
In the spring, the SWAT Team will take a field trip to the
Apple store to observe techniques, such as active listening,
asking questions and non-verbal communication and
incorporate them into their interactions with students
and staff as Apple student mentors.
Crowley ISD SWAT Team
Carley Alvine
Daniel DeLaCruz
Kennedy Oko
Cody Boone
Joel Escobar
Mallory Peterson
Ella Brown
Landon Finch
Lauryn Rogers
Kennedy Carson
Valeria Flotte
Ryan Rucker
Ronnie Clayborn
Diego Fuentes
Myah Taylor
Declan Dalton
Sanona Herndon
Winter 2016 | CROWLEY ISD CONNECTIONS 13