Monroe School art teacher Theresa McGee has been named a Class of 2013 Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE). The ADE Program began in 1994, when Apple recognized K-12 and higher education pioneers using a variety of Apple products to transform teaching and learning in powerful ways. The ADE Class is named once every two years. 90 educators from the United States were chosen for the Class of 2013, five of whom are from Illinois. 42 of the 90 are K-12 teachers, and 48 are higher education faculty or school administrators. McGee is the only art teacher among those from K-12 institutions.
"I am passionate about teaching my students to develop original ideas, collaborate and share with each other, and connect to others beyond our classroom,” McGee says. “Apple technologies have given us the tools to engage in amazing learning experiences and showcase amazing student outcomes. By using Mac software and iPad apps, my students have the tools to create sophisticated original artwork. We haven’t given up the traditional art forms of drawing, painting, and sculpting, though. In fact, mixed media would be a better way to describe our art experiences because of our integrated use of technology with traditional art forms."
As an ADE, McGee will have the opportunity to network with a worldwide community of over 2,000 visionary educators and innovative leaders who are doing amazing things with technology in and out of the classroom, starting with an intensive program in July. She comments, "I am incredibly excited to learn and grow alongside some of the most innovative educators in the country at the Apple Distinguished Educator Institute this summer."
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Principal Dawn Benaitis notes, "This is a tremendous honor for Theresa. As a school, we are fortunate to experience her talents come alive daily in her practice. She is a dedicated learner who is an asset to all areas in the field of education. I am excited that through this honor she will have more rich opportunities from Apple to continue to foster her creativity and instruction which as always, directly impacts all of our students."
