Santa Margarita Catholic High School has been named a Microsoft Showcase School for the third consecutive year. The designation recognizes the technological enhancements that facilitate learning and tap the power of mobile and cloud technology to better enable students to succeed. The school is one of 77 nationally and 850 in the world to be named a Microsoft Showcase School.
Since the 2014-2015 school year, every student and faculty member has been issued a Tablet PC in order to foster a more collaborative, student-centered classroom environment inspiring enthusiasm and ownership in student learning.
Along with being an innovative institution, SMCHS is also required to have at least two Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts on site. MIE-Experts are a global community of educators passionate about using technology to improve student outcomes. Each year, Microsoft selects visionary educators to be part of this exclusive global community who are paving the way for their peers to share ideas, try new approaches and learn from each other. SMCHS now has seven MIE experts: Director of Educational Technology Scott Bricker, Director of Information Technology Peter Leonard, and teachers Maria Johnson, Caitlin Malec, Bruce Fleming, Monique Harrison and Jorge Ledezma.
“Being named a Microsoft Showcase School for a third straight year is confirmation that our commitment to incorporating technology into our student’s lives is truly making a difference,” said Director of Educational Technology, Scott Bricker. “Our relationship with Microsoft and their entire Education Team has been essential to our success and we are thrilled to represent this program and their dedication to positively impacting this new age of teaching and learning. We are looking forward to many more great years ahead as we continue to grow our Educational Technology Program here at SMCHS.”
As a Showcase School, Santa Margarita works closely with Microsoft to lead innovation in education and communicate a vision for education enabled by technology through the hosting and mentoring of other schools in the community on transformational educational practices.
“Microsoft Showcase Schools are inspiring examples of how schools are using mobile-first, cloud-first technology to increase students’ productivity and develop the skills needed in the workplace,” said Anthony Salcito, vice president, Worldwide Education, Microsoft Corp. “With an innovative use of technology, these schools are transforming learning environments and delivering more personalized education to students, allowing them to do more and achieve more.”