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Blanch breaks barriers with the basics
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Neighbors | Amanda TonoliBrady Kendall (left) and Hayden Fitts (right) logged onto the computers in the computer lab on Sept. 1 at Poland Union Elementary School.
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Neighbors | Amanda TonoliPoland Union Elementary School students acquired Google Chromebooks for the 2015-16 school year. Pictured, from left, are Brady Kendall, Julia Snyder and Hayden Fitts.
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Neighbors | Amanda TonoliStudents enjoyed their first full week with new computer teacher Nick Blanch. Pictured, from left, are Nick Blanch, Julia Snyder, Hayden Fitts and Brady Kendall.
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Neighbors | Amanda TonoliJulia Snyder learned computer basics in Poland Union Elementary School’s new computer class on Sept. 1.
By amanda tonoli
Poland Union Elementary School and Dobbins Elementary School received a new and innovative edition to their academic families this year — a brand new computer class with their very first full-time, computer-dedicated instructor, Nick Blanch.
Principal Michael Masucci said he was ecstatic that his fellow educators had finally come together to implement this new program.
“For 21 years I’ve stood alongside teachers and administrators for a computer teacher for our youngest kids,” Masucci said. “Thanks to Mr. Janofa [superintendent for Poland School District] and our board [board of education], we got one.”
Union gets the privilege of having Blanch three days a week while sharing with Dobbins Elementary two days a week.
Blanch came from Poland Middle School, where he taught history since 2002.
“I have always been a big fan of technology. I incorporated it into my history lessons at the middle school when I was a teacher there,” Blanch said. “I was always using technology side of it, but it wasn’t the actual class.”
When it was decided that Poland schools were going to adopt an actual class dedicated to computers and teaching young students about technology, Blanch applied and excitedly accepted the position.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect as to how far they would let me go and what they were going to let me do, but really the sky has been the limit,” Blanch said.
Blanch said he was starting the youngest students out with computer basics, vocabulary and getting them familiar with the hardware. Older students were getting more preparation for STEM — science, technology, engineering and mechanics — programs they would be a part of in the middle school.
Kindergarten students started off the class by dragging their name to the “present” column on the smartboard.
“It’s nice doing something with technology and having fun with it. It’s a positive experience and they are learning even more,” Blanch said. “I get them for a half hour and hit them with as much as I can in 30 minutes.”
The excitement students show motivates Blanch to take them farther, also having fun every step of the way.
“For me, to see their excitement and how accomplished they feel when they leave here just by learning one new thing is awesome — it’s a great feeling,” Blanch said. “What you go into education for is to get kids to learn and to get them excited about the subject you’re teaching. This is just something I love. Now that this is what I get to do everyday, all day long — teach technology — it’s excellent.”