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Westminster Christian School has long been a leader in technology and in pursuing innovations that support the learning experience for its students. These efforts have been recognized and rewarded as Westminster became the only school in country to earn the title of a Microsoft Showcase School for five years consecutively. An exclusive honor, only 38 schools nationwide earned a Microsoft Showcase designation this year.
“We are extremely proud. Our faculty, staff and IT department have worked hard to ensure that the latest Microsoft technology is being used daily in the classroom,” said Omar Valerio, CIO, CTO and IT director at Westminster Christian School. “Our partnership with Microsoft allowed us to pivot quickly and effectively at the onset of the pandemic and allowed us to sustain a robust academic experience for our students.”
Microsoft Showcase Schools like Westminster are educational institutions that amplify the use of technology to drive school-wide digital transformation and efficiencies. They also emphasize personalized learning for their students through the use of 1:1 learning devices and learning with current technology such as Microsoft Teams, Office 365 Education, OneNote, and more.
The Microsoft Showcase School title is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Westminster administrators and educators. Westminster IT Director Omar Valerio as well as four Westminster teachers were also named Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts (MIE).
Elementary school enrichment, technology and resource teacher Arlene Castellanos, middle school science teacher Kelly Gordon; Project Lead the Way and enrichment teacher Claudia Pastrana; and, high school art teacher April Sharpe-Shirk, high. The Microsoft MIE Expert program recognizes teachers who embrace the didactic potential and relevance of digital technologies and who use them innovatively in their lessons.
“Technology pushes education forward and makes everything easier,” explained Omar Valerio, Westminster’s CIO. “The students are more engaged, more enthusiastic. They’re excited to come to school, participate and learn new things. Technology facilitates opportunities for them.”
Westminster is a one-to-one school for students from grade 3 through grade 12. Using Microsoft tools allows students to excel with technology by giving them the freedom to embrace it in a developmentally, age-appropriate manner.
Every student has a Surface Pro and an Office 365 account, enabling them to work more efficiently and fostering a collaborative learning culture. The school also offers a variety of Information Technology certifications, as well as a wide range of programs, from engineering to robotics. To grant more opportunities in this space, students have the chance to participate in the technology track and study subjects such as Aerospace Engineering and Coding.
Technology also enhances the process for teachers, allowing them to save time and be more well-organized. Through the Microsoft OneNote Class Notebook, teachers create a personal workspace for every student, content library for handouts and a collaboration space for lessons and creative activities. Moreover, teachers can provide direct feedback by writing in each student’s private notebook, encouraging students to work together as the teacher provides real-time coaching.
As a Microsoft Showcase School, Westminster is part of a global community of institutions engaged in innovative change to improve teaching and learning.
