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The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) has named West
Hills High School Social Studies Teacher Dan McDowell as its
Education Innovator of the Month for December. Superintendent
Terry Ryan said, “Dan McDowell is an educational leader
in the Grossmont District. He is an advocate for technological
advancement in our schools districtwide and displays a passion
for using technology in the classroom to spur student interest
and achievement.”
Currently in his eleventh year of teaching
in the Gros-mont District, Dan McDowell's interest in history
led him to the field of education where he has been the driving
force behind implementing innovative technology-based tools and
strategies in the delivery of education.
Principal Brian Wilbur
said, “Among the characteristics I most admire about Dan
is his relentless work ethic. He is probably the most skilled
teacher in the District at integrating technology into the classroom
(from WebQuests to Wikis and Moodle) in a way that increases
student learning.”
For over seven years, Dan has been
deeply involved in sharing these methods and toolsets with other
teachers through workshop presentations and his involvement in
the District's “Academy of Computing Teachers,” the “Digital
University” program, and currently, the “Visions” program.
GUHSD Director of Educational & Library Technology Ken Quisenberry
said, “Our office relies on teachers like Dan, who not only
develop improved strategies for their own classrooms, but seek
to share their successes, lessons, and expertise with their peers.
In so doing, he represents the heart and soul of the professional,
committed teacher corps in this District.”
Dan's nuanced approach
to using technologies in his World History classes, where he is
perpetually seeking enhancements and always improving, has inspired
his colleagues. West Hills Social Science Department Chair Bryan
Ross said, “Just when we believe we have created a wonderful
tech-based lesson, or developed a new skill, or think we have finally
begun to catch up to Dan, we discover that he is on some far off
technological vista and we are playing catch up again.”
In
continually applying the highest standard to his own professional
growth and to his teaching practices, Dan has been a capable
and enthusiastic educational leader not only for the sake of
his own students, but to help stoke the fires of reflective, effective,
and innovative teaching practices. |
