Teacher earns Best Buy grant

Hudson Middle School teacher Jody Koch received a $2,000 Teach Award from Best Buy Co. for integrating technology into the curriculum.

Koch, a sixth-grade language arts teacher, submitted her advertisement unit to Best Buy to demonstrate how students use technology.

In the unit, sixth-graders study advertisements, propaganda techniques and how to use persuasive writing through the medium of commercials. Teams of students create products, which they then advertise through television or radio commercials, and create magazine ads, brochures or Web pages to support their product.

“In years’ past, my students have really struggled to make their commercials with our limited equipment,” Koch said. “I’m excited to see what my kids can do with more time and technology.”

Best Buy Teach Awards of $2,000 were given to 1,300 schools to sustain or enhance existing educational programs. An additional 50 schools were awarded $10,000 for technology-based programs they’ve implemented. Eight school districts will also receive $100,000 awards, which will be announced in May.

Koch and students from the middle school went to the Best Buy in Oakdale, Minn., to pick out technology equipment, including video cameras, a digital camera and a computer.

“Personally, I cannot say enough good things about Best Buy,” Koch said. “The staff was absolutely wonderful. The whole ordeal was so exciting and overwhelming.”

Tags: education, hudson, grant