This past spring, Blackboard K-12 hosted a blog contest to see how educators are implementing technology in their classrooms, and we couldn't have been more excited about your responses. You wrote in to not only share your technology strategies, but your passion and excitement for all of the opportunities that technology in the classroom allows. We're excited to share these stories and provide ideas and inspiration from our clients on new ways to use and harness the power of your Blackboard product.

Like what you're reading, and want to share your story? Be sure to follow us on Twitter @BlackboardK12, and stay tuned for details on our next #BragAboutYourClassroom blog contest.
Meet our Grand Prize Winner, Carol Cochuyt
Carol grew up on a small family farm outside of Orion, Illinois and graduated from Orion High School, Black Hawk College, and Western Illinois University. Yes, that does mean her students learn how to make butter every year - even her virtual students! She is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as an Early Childhood Generalist. Carol serves as the K-2 Department Head at Clay Virtual Academy, which is a part of the Clay County School District in Florida. Currently her Kindergarten students are meeting in the Virtual Classroom daily to practice their Completion Ceremony songs.

Read Carol's winning blog >
Meet our Runner-Up, Elissa Raffa
Elissa Raffa has a B.S. in Secondary Science Education and an M.F.A. in Creative and Professional Writing, both from the University of Minnesota. She is licensed as a school superintendent as well as a teacher of physical science, physics and chemistry. A founding director of Minnesota Online High School, Ms. Raffa has been active in arts education as well as science education. Before starting MNOHS, she developed and taught courses for seven years with the Mindquest Learning Network in Bloomington and for twelve years at Loring Nicollet Alternative School in Minneapolis. She is a member of the Minnesota Online Learning Advisory Council and has been active state-wide in preparing pre-service and in-service teachers for the rigors of online education. During her first seven years at MNOHS, Ms. Raffa supevised the faculty and the learning program, and guided the development of high-quality, interactive online instruction and assessment in all content areas, using state-of-the-art technologies. She began serving as Executive Director in August, 2012.

Read Elissa's blog >
WE ASKED #educators TO SHARE THEIR #classroom #edtech SUCCESSES
It's Our Turn to Brag. . .About Our Teachers