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Highlands Today

Portable Classrooms Gone At HG Teachers Revel In High-Tech Classrooms

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

From left: Juniett Gonzalez and Kaityln Truelove gather data to figure out speed and velocity in their new classroom recently at Hill-Gustat Middle School in Sebring.

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: December 22, 2008

SEBRING - Some Hill-Gustat Middle School teachers got an early Christmas present - a brand new classroom.

"It has all the bells and whistles and I'm a techno junkie and I like it," said math/science teacher Cathy Hardesty.

New technology in her classroom includes: a sound system with a microphone, a new teacher's laptop computer, a projector mounted from the ceiling and a built-in Smart Board.

In her old classroom, Hardesty had to put the projector away and lock it up at the end of each day.

"It's wonderful to have one that is mounted," she said.

Another wonder is the built-in Smart Board because any movement to the portable boards, which are on wheels, require them to be "reoriented," she said.

Other teachers who moved into the new building didn't have a Smart Board before. So they are even more ecstatic to get their first one, Hardesty said.

Mostly eighth-grade teachers moved into the new two-story building with 19 classrooms, which is located behind the gymnasium.

The school's computer technology classes and agriculture program will be taught in the new building, which will serve students in grades six through eight.

Some classes began Friday in the building. Originally classes were scheduled to start on Jan. 6.

Principal Chris Doty said the teachers were excited about getting into the new building and asked, if they were ready, if they could start teaching in the new classrooms before the holiday break.

"I think the building is amazing," Doty said. "The resources that are in the building make it a great environment for kids to learn."

General Contractor A.D. Morgan was great to work with and minimized the disruptions on campus during construction, he said.

The new classrooms mean the portable classrooms will be history.

"All my portables 10 will be leaving my campus in January," Doty said.

The school's enrollment has increased since last year, but it's lower than projections, Doty said. "I projected my enrollment to be in the 720 range, but we are at about 695. Last year we had about 647."

Highlands Today reporter Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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