Reibel Named ICE Educator of the Year
February 18, 2011
SHS Spanish teacher Anthony Reibel has been selected as 2011 Educator of the Year by Illinois Computing Educators. Each year
ICE selects one educator in each of two categories —teacher and technology administrator — for the award. The award is given to educators who have made outstanding contributions to the integration of technology, and the improvement of teaching and learning in their school or district.
Reibel was selected for his use of technology inside and outside of his Spanish classes. His students use a number of technology applications and tools to hone their Spanish language skills, such as Wordle.net to evaluate their writing, Voicethread.com to publish poetry readings, and iPod Touch devices to record direct dialogues, which are published to Audioboo.fm, and aggregated into his iTunes account. When students leave Reibel’s class, he ensures they can demonstrate their understanding by constructing unique and personal products such as wikis, blogs, short movies, Google forms and digital artwork.
Outside of the classroom, Reibel exemplifies the desire to learn and increase his own knowledge by learning from and with his peers. "Mastery of technology for every teacher" is a goal of his, and he believes that "preparing teachers to use technology effectively means that professional development must focus on mastery and not exposure."
Reibel shares his technology skills by serving on a number of technology-based committees, managing a departmental technology team and leading staff development workshops. Then, as teachers master new technologies in the classroom, he helps them share their great ideas on a Technology Best Practices wiki (http://wl125.wikispaces.com).
Reibel also serves as a coach in the boys basketball program. For this area of the school that is not traditionally technologically focused, he created a "skills challenge" web application for the boys’ offseason workouts. This online program, (http://www.progresspoints.com), allows the players to enter basketball workout results into a web application.
The mission of ICE is to promote the development, growth and use of technology in all facets of education. The Educator of the Year award has been designed to honor ICE members from throughout the state of Illinois who are exemplary educators and leaders at the school or district level, and who have made significant contributions leading to the integration of technology into the educational process. Each year many outstanding ICE members are nominated for this distinguished award. Nominations not only recognize the efforts of a nominee, but also show that they are valued and appreciated by their fellow educators. ICE is truly grateful to the many outstanding nominees each year, and for all that they do for children in Illinois schools. The true winners are the students in the many school districts throughout the state at which these many outstanding educators teach and work.
Reibel will receive the award on Thursday, February 24 at the ICE State Conference at the Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles.