Technology and dance class might not sound like two things that go together.
But Jessica Laliberte-Bowman, who teaches modern jazz and tap dance at the Center for Creative Arts, had one of 68 projects chosen recently by the Hamilton County Department of Education to share about a half million dollars in federal Race to the Top grant money.
Her classroom in the North Chattanooga public school — it’s like the performing arts school in the 1980s TV series “Fame”– will get about $7,500 worth of equipment, including sound editing software so students can score their own dance music and Apple TVs to replace the old analog TVs and VHS players.
“The Apple TVs are going to allow us to tap into a whole world of dance history,” Laliberte-Bowman said.
More than 200 applications came from teachers in Hamilton County public schools for the federal grant money. It was earmarked for a one-time investment meant to give teachers innovative technology resources.
“We were pleasantly surprised to have received over 200 applications,” said Patty Kinsey, who heads the district’s Information Technology department, in a statement. “It has been a great opportunity for teachers to integrate technology and bring new ideas to the classroom.”
Teams of educators, community leaders and technology experts reviewed the requests, district officials said.
“They’re not getting a blank check.” Assistant Superintendent Robert Sharpe said of the winners. “They had to provide a detailed [application].”
Devices ranging from iPads to 3D printers will be funded through the grants of up to $7,500 for individual teachers and $12,500 for teams of two or more teachers.
The district plans to buy the devices in bulk to make the federal funding go farther.
“We’re going to be able to save on costs, because we’ll be able to bundle these purchases,” Sharpe said.
Contact staff writer Tim Omarzu at tomarzu@timesfreepress.com or www.facebook.com/tim.omarzu or twitter.com/TimOmarzu or 423-757-6651.