James Russell
Technology Instructional Specialist
@teach_russell
russellj@capetigers.com
iste certification

Starting as a Social Studies teacher for the Kennett School District in 2006, I taught high school US and World History, Government, Criminal Justice, Contemporary Issues, Economics, and Geography, and was the Academic Team Coach. Later, I taught at Nell Holcomb Middle School. As a teacher's kid, I experimented with many early technologies in the classroom including smart boards, media making, and several of the applications my parents both used in their classrooms. This learned love of technology was expanded in my own classroom and in classrooms of other colleagues', facilitating trainings and troubleshooting. I joined Cape Central Junior High in the fall of 2013 and have worked hard alongside those in my building and the high school, bringing today's and tomorrow's technology to Cape Public School staff and students. I look forward to working with teachers to further student preparation for the lives waiting for them as they leave this school.

Technology is an essential part of our lives, and should therefore be an essential part of our classrooms. Learning to use technology in the classroom isn't about the mechanics of how a device or app works, but how it can be used to expand the way students learn and meet them where they are. We live in a world just beginning to embrace the changes that come with technology. It is our calling as teachers to prepare students for their adult lives, and a shift to include technology is a necessary component. Students, with or without us, now have tools to access a world of information that was previously inconceivable, and it expands still. Utilizing technology, we can foster even more empowered learning environments; instruction that meets the needs of every student; creating productive, responsible digital citizens for future generations.

“What good is a good idea if it remains an idea?
Try.
Experiment.
Iterate.
Fail.
Try again.”

- Simon Sinek

Tina Schuessler
Assistive and Instructional
Technology Support Coach
@tina_schuessler
schuesslert@capetigers.com

2006 marks the beginning of my teaching career with Cape Girardeau Public Schools. I have worked with students in grades PK-4, both in the classroom and library/media settings.

Early in in my career I was always amazed with the ways technology allowed my students to showcase their knowledge and for me to gain much needed data. This led me to get my Master’s Degree in Technology Integration in the Classroom, where I really began to see how technology has the capability to transform the entire learning experience. Putting new ideas into practice and utilizing newly developed technologies enabled my students to have experiences that would not have been possible for them to have otherwise. Enhancing student learning with technology not only provides students with novel experiences, but it is crucial in our world today.

I now get the privilege of sharing ideas with our staff through training and collaboration to help meet the needs of all students through the use of technology. I look forward to working with our staff to make this possible.

Cape GirardeauPublic Schools