Welcome to Technology!

Welcome, Parents and Students!

Welcome to my Technology page! My name is Ms. Quintano, and I am excited to welcome you and your child to Technology this school year.

This year is especially meaningful to me as I begin my 25th year of teaching. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to teach students from Kindergarten through High School and to serve in a variety of roles throughout the district. Nearly two decades ago, I became the district's first Technology teacher, and I have had the privilege of helping develop and shape Technology education in our schools ever since.

After 25 years in education, I have learned one thing very clearly: technology is no longer an extra skill—it is an essential part of education, communication, employment, and everyday life.

Why Technology Matters

Technology class is not a promotional or "free time" subject. It is a subject. It is a class. And students are expected to learn, participate, complete assignments, and be accountable for their work.

The skills students develop in Technology will follow them throughout their academic careers and into their future careers. Students will learn how to use technology effectively, responsibly, and efficiently—not simply how to use a device.

A major focus will be learning and strengthening students' ability to use Google Workspace and its many applications, including Google Classroom, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, Drive, and other digital tools. These programs are used throughout education and the workplace, and becoming comfortable with them now will give students an important advantage as they progress through school.

Students will also learn how to organize digital information, create and share documents and presentations, collaborate with others, communicate appropriately online, and use technology as a tool for learning and problem-solving.

As technology continues to evolve—and as Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into education and everyday life—students need to understand not only how to use technology, but how to use it responsibly, effectively, and intelligently.

Student Responsibility & Accountability

I want both students and parents to understand that Technology assignments count.

Assignments, projects, activities, and assessments will be posted in Google Classroom, and students will be responsible for checking Classroom regularly, completing their work, and meeting established deadlines.

Students should not rely on reminders from their teacher, parents, or classmates to know what work is due. Learning to manage digital assignments, deadlines, and responsibilities is itself an important technology and academic skill.

I strongly encourage every parent/guardian to join their child's Google Classroom and monitor their child's assignments, completion, and grades.

Parents should also regularly check the Parent Portal in real time. Google Classroom and the Parent Portal provide families with valuable tools for staying informed about student progress and identifying concerns before they become larger problems.

My expectation is simple:

Students are responsible for their learning, their assignments, their deadlines, and their grades. 

Parents are encouraged to support that responsibility by staying informed and monitoring their child's progress.

Come Prepared Every Day

Students are expected to arrive to Technology class prepared to learn.

Please make sure your child's Chromebook is fully charged each day and that they bring their charger when required.

Students are also responsible for taking care of their district-issued technology and keeping their passwords and account information secure. Technology comes with responsibility, and learning how to protect personal information, use accounts appropriately, and make safe choices online is an important part of our instruction.

My Classroom

My goal is to create a classroom that is structured, respectful, welcoming, and productive. I want students to feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, trying new things, and challenging themselves.

Technology should be more than learning where to click. I want students to understand why they are using a particular tool, how it can help them learn, and how those skills can be applied beyond my classroom.

After 25 years in education, I remain excited about learning and teaching. Technology continues to change, and I look forward to learning alongside my students while preparing them for the increasingly digital world they will encounter throughout their academic and professional lives.

I am looking forward to a productive, successful, and exciting school year!

Welcome to Technology!

Let's make it a great year!

Warmly,

Ms. Quintano
Technology Teacher