Getting Started
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Do what works for you! We found that food, fun, and friends are the F's that seem hot!
Learn how Shelly, Caren, and Sandra got started with their new programs. Check out the resources that Michelle developed with Indiana advisors to assist with recruiting. |
Recruiting in Montana
Food and Fun were the big ones in Montana but Shelly had another advantage for recruiting in her district, she had a class. As the lead learner for an Advanced Computer Applications course at a local high school she was able to hand pick growth minded, energetic, kind and fun kids. Therefore...her students, this year, were easy to convince. BUT, before she had them leading technology integration she gave them several opportunities to learn. Not every student in her class became part of the squad, but those that did were awesome.
Recruiting in New Jersey
Caren had two tech clubs running in two different buildings. The first club was in her fourth grade through sixth grade school. This club started two years ago but really went full speed this past year. Students were selected based on a "job application" (see resources for application) but the truth is - all students interested were taken into the club. The idea of the job application was not only for real life skills, but also to let them know that they needed to take their roll in the club seriously and commit to it. The meetings were held one to two times a month during their recess period. At the middle school, students met after school once a month for an hour. What Caren did for both clubs was mainly the same.
Recruiting in Ontario
Sandra works in a K-6 elementary school of about 300 students within a very large school board (a.k.a. district). She held her tech squad every Mondays after school for about 1.5 hours. Students in grade 5 & 6 had to write an application explaining why they wanted to be a part of the tech squad, skill sets that they offered, a teacher recommendation and obtain parent approval for their application. Students took the process very seriously, and like a job application had to wait to find out whether they were hired.