Transform the learning environment
Technology influences almost every aspect of life at Sto-Rox High School—from curriculum-based
hardware and software used in classrooms to specialized commercial applications
used in extracurricular programs. Principal Melanie Kerber believes technology should
be used to transform teaching and learning by making the processes more engaging
for students. It also gives teachers and students access to a wide array of new
learning and teaching tools, helping to transform the school environment from one
of apathy into one of excitement about learning.
Engage students in the learning experience
Teachers at Sto-Rox High School find that some students are more willing to participate
in the learning experience when they are engaged in extracurricular programs, many
of which are greatly enhanced with technology.
Grant support allows Sto-Rox to offer students an after-school music production
program in which they use industry-standard equipment to record and publish music.
The program attracts a diverse group of students from a wide range of backgrounds.
Teachers especially hope to engage students who are normally disinterested in school
by using the extracurricular program to bring them intellectually and socially closer
to the school community. An added bonus is that students learn valuable, real-world
music production skills.
In the video below Josh Lucas, Chemistry Teacher and Recording Project Sponsor, talks about the
after-school music production program.
Sustain new programs
The music program is not the only grant-funded initiative at Sto-Rox. Principal
Melanie Kerber's Great Ideas grant, which allows teachers to apply for some of the
Project 720 grant money awarded to the school, supports a variety of programs. This
application option lets teachers exert real input into important educational decisions
and helps to sustain new, exciting programs for the students.
Art Teacher LuAnn Prill used her Great Idea grant money to expand the art program
to include beading and jewelry making. She also works with students using digital
cameras to create electronic portfolios of their work. The technology helps students
learn technical skills as they develop an artistic sense of what constitutes creative
photographic design.
In the video below see what LuAnn’s students are doing with digital cameras.
Overcoming challenges
Principal Kerber advocates for change in the school community. She knows that this
high school has more than its fair share of challenges. Sto-Rox serves the urban
neighborhood of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. Sto-Rox was a troubled school when Dr.
Kerber arrived—the surrounding community is economically depressed, the school draws
from four public housing developments struggling with drugs and violence, and the
school had five principals in six years.
While the problems have not been completely resolved, Dr. Kerber's persistence to
engage teachers and students has helped to greatly improve the learning climate.
In addition, the school practices and promotes digital inclusion, integrating technology
wherever possible. This, too, helps change the learning community for the better.
Faculty and students at Sto-Rox now look to the future with a genuine sense of optimism.
Watch the video below to learn more about overcoming challenges with technology at Sto-Rox High School.
About the community
Sto-Rox faces many of the challenges of any urban school in a highly diverse community.
The school is located near inner-city Pittsburgh. The neighborhood includes a number
of public housing developments and struggles with economic difficulties and unemployment.
Sto-Rox students face many obstacles that make academic achievement not simply difficult,
but laudable. Teachers and students at Sto-Rox High School are making positive changes,
with the help of some caring administrators and integrated technology.
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, near inner-city Pittsburgh, is seeing positive changes
at Sto-Rox High School.