Congratulations to Mrs. Panneri, a 2015 ISSL Teacher of Distinction

The Wilson School’s Technology Coordinator, Melika Panneri, has been named a 2015 Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL) Teacher of Distinction for her work in integrating technology throughout the curriculum.  As one of three award winners, she will receive a grant to be used towards further implementation of her work. She will also advance to the 2015 Emerson Teacher Awards program, which takes place this fall.

With the grant, Mrs. Panneri plans to attend the annual International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference in June 2016.  “The way we have been teaching for the last century is rapidly changing. The best way to stay relevant is to be immersed in face-to-face dialogue with the best technology educators in the world,” says Mrs. Panneri.

Mrs. Panneri has spent many years developing Wilson’s coding curriculum that starts in second grade and carries through sixth. She has also collaborated with teachers in all subject areas to enhance project-based learning opportunities with technology. For example, fourth grade students studied the Vikings in social studies and then coded their own virtual worlds based on their knowledge. 

At the ISTE conference, she looks forward to sharing what she has learned on this journey with others and also is interested in diving into more hands-on experiences with 3-D printing and makerspaces – knowledge she will bring back and apply directly to benefit Wilson students.

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