Educator Engages & Inspires with Study Island

Jamie Candee, SVP Sales and Marketing at Edmentum, continues her series on real world challenges in the classroom.

C. Wayne Collier Elementary School in Hope Mills, North Carolina – that is where we find our next inspirational educator, Brian Boroff. Brian is described by his peers at as having “a unique hands-on approach to learning that stimulates students’ interests and academic abilities. He challenges his students to think about concepts and dig deeper. His students are excited to learn about science and explore the wonders of the world.”

Brian, a 5^th grade science teacher, was recognized with both Edmentum’s Award of Educational Excellence and Inspired Educator Award in 2012. As I read through Brian’s award nomination, it was clear how well respected he was in his school and by his peers. Later, when I had the opportunity to meet Brian at our Edtech conference in Columbus, Ohio, and as I listened to him speak, it was easy to see how he has inspired his students and colleagues through his bright, forward-thinking approach to learning. Brian motivates his students every day through interactive teaching practices, encouraging higher order thinking, and integrating technologies like Study Island into his curriculum.

As demonstrated in this video, Brian is determined to find ways to integrate technology into the classroom and push his students to strive for academic excellence.  When Brian was first introduced to the SMART Board, he didn’t even know what it was.  Now, Brian says, “I never stop using it.  They told me that I had to have a training to get a SMART Board and I decided that I would just make my own.  They finally decided, hey, he is probably a good person to get a SMART Board to.  I don’t know what I would do without it now, it is something that I use every day.” Brian incorporates Study Island into his science lessons and promotes a positive learning environment where students are paying attention, engaged, and united in their instruction.

In 2008, C. Wayne Collier Elementary School fifth graders averaged 45.8% on their North Carolina End of Grade tests. According to one of Brian’s peers, “under his leadership as lead science teacher and teaching a block of 70 students in 2011, the average on the NC End of Grade test [increased to] 84.5%.” He attributed much of this success to Brian’s “creative blend of using technology, Study Island, and higher leveling [questioning].”

Brian is another wonderful example of an Edmentum educator who is pushing for technology in every classroom and finding creative ways to incorporate and leverage the resources he has to redefine the 21^st century classroom.