Miss Heppell selected for Google Teacher Academy

Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy educator, one of 50 Global Educators to be selected for 'Google Teacher Academy'. 

Miss Melissa Heppell, who teaches in a superclass of 90 children at the Portland School's Osprey Quay Campus, said she was  ‘honoured’ to be selected. Miss Heppell is the second educator from the Portland Academy in two years to be selected for the unique opportunity which sees teachers from around the world presented with 'Google Certified Teacher Status'.

The Google Certified Teacher program was launched in 2006 and has since held several academies across the USA, Australia and the UK, expanding the ranks of Google Certified Teachers to over 800 educators worldwide. Miss Heppell is looking forward to attending the two day intensive program that recognises educators who are doing innovative and exciting things in their classrooms with technology. Speaking about the event she said, 'I cannot wait to connect with like minded educators who shared my school's passion for seeing digital technology transform learning'.

Academy Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, Mr Gary Spracklen, speaking about Melissa's selection for the Google Teacher Academy explains, 'For any schools to have a Google Certified Teacher in it's ranks is a significant achievement, to have two represents IPACA's position as a world-leader in the use of Digital Technology to support learning. The transformation we are seeing through the appropriate use of technology to engage, innovate and inspire learning is incredibly exciting and I am so pleased Miss Heppell will have the chance to share this with a global audience at the Google Teacher Academy while continuing to develop her skills'.