IN Mars Area Fall 2019 | Page 22

We’re celebrating four years! SPECIAL SECTION: EDUCATION IN THE HEART OF TREESDALE • Now enrolling children 6 weeks to 5 years old. • Part-time or full-time care and preschool. • Conveniently located in Treesdale across from Market Square. • Indoor gym & outdoor fenced-in playground. • Open from 6:30am - 6:00pm. • We provide morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. CALL OR EMAIL TODAY FOR A TOUR! 615 Warrendale Road Gibsonia, PA 15044 724-625-4029 [email protected] www.littleappleseedlearningcenter.net. Check us out on Facebook VOLLEYBALL Want to play some volleyball? FALL PROGRAMS Fall Ball Gr. 5-12 Fall Ball Junior Gr. K-4 Volley Tots Age 2-4 Programs, Clinics and More Gr. K-12 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!! For more information contact us [email protected] www.pittsburghelite.org PRE-K – HIGH SCHOOL The first public school opened in the United States in 1635, and the Boston Latin School remains the nation’s oldest public school. Early education didn’t focus on math or science, but on the virtues of family, religion and community. Nearly 400 years later, schools are harnessing the fundamental principles of community, and although it may look very different in this day and age, a strong focus is being put on the importance of creating a safe school culture and tapping into technology for limitless learning. In 2019, students, parents, teachers, and administrators are seeing changes both inside and outside of the classroom. One of the biggest changes in recent years comes in the form of technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to change education tools and is expected to increase in implementation in U.S. classrooms by 47.5% in the next three years, according to the Artificial Intelligence Market in the U.S. Education Sector report. In addition to AI, other technologies are providing students with the opportunity to connect with classmates in other countries, giving teachers the ability to educate a virtual classroom from the comfort of their own home, and expanding access to applications that were once inaccessible. Another key focus in education this year is on ensuring that students feel safe, connected, supported, and challenged through a variety of different ways. School culture and safety are being addressed and adapted based on recent school safety concerns across the country. Teachers, administrators, families, and community groups are putting a critical focus on social-emotional learning activities to facilitate a better look into dealing with anger management, conflict resolution, empathy, and other important life skills. School is often the only place where social and emotional learning deficiencies can be addressed; therefore teaching students these invaluable life skills ultimately prepares them to become active members of society. This is another pivotal point in a teacher’s role in the classroom. Teachers continue to play an integral role in the lives of students, one that cannot be replaced with even the most advanced type of technology. This isn’t to say that the way we taught even 15 years ago is suitable. Teachers’ roles are continually changing, and their need to adapt is critical to students’ success. School administrators must also support and train educators with the tools and techniques they are being given to ensure successful integration in the classroom. SECONDARY EDUCATION It was recently reported that teenagers spend nine hours a day with technology. Whether in the form of social media, listening to music, playing games, or texting with friends, technology plays an integral role in their lives. Educators have taken note and are now reaching teenagers where they are spending a majority of their time. Digital tools are providing teachers with the opportunity to incorporate personalized learning to students in a way that benefits them. For example, AI is being used to allow for greater individualized and differentiated learning to be Continued on page 22 > 20 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com