The Coalition of Lighthouse Schools

By Julene Reed

Julene Reed is an Apple Distinguished Educator and the Director of Technology at St. George’s Independent School in Collierville, Tennessee

M emphis, Tennessee was the location this past July for the third annual conference of the Coalition of Lighthouse Schools known as iSummit. A gathering of educators from across the country took place over a four-day period that was both exciting and educating. The synergy displayed throughout the conference definitely was inspiring!

“iSummit 2005 was a huge success from beginning to end.”

iSummit is a national educational technology conference sponsored by Apple Computer, and led by Kenneth Cheeseman, Chair of the Coalition of Lighthouse Schools. The conference attendees include faculty, staff, technology specialists, and administrative personnel from independent schools that currently have (or are planning to have) a laptop initiative with Apple computers. It is a conference that offers the opportunity for progressive educators to communicate, collaborate, and learn from other professionals involved in the same types of technology initiatives that have created this new paradigm of learning for our students.

iSummit 2005 was a huge success from beginning to end. It was hosted by the St. Agnes Academy and the St. Dominic School, and the attendance was the highest it has ever been! The opening day was held at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the University of Memphis campus. John Couch, Vice President of Education for Apple Computer, was energizing and engaging as the keynote speaker. John understands today’s schools and the digital kids we are teaching. He was both inspiring and relevant as he truly knows the pulse of education, educators, and students today. It was a great beginning to the days that followed.

Throughout the conference, educators participated in technology workshops given by Apple Distinguished Educators and other experienced presenters, listened to updates on Apple technologies and their applications in education, collaborated with each other, and planned for future projects. Workshops were offered in three strands: instructional, technical, and administrative, which allowed for group discussions focused on common concerns and aspirations for the laptop programs in their respective schools.

Along with the “work,” there was also some “play.” Student projects were showcased at a Lighthouse School Night at the Apple Store. There was an evening of fun in downtown Memphis with participants dining at the famous Rendezvous barbeque restaurant and then enjoying live music on Beale Street or cheering on the Memphis Redbirds baseball team. Overall, it was a fantastic week that was of tremendous value to all who participated.

While the knowledge that was shared at the conference was exceptional, the conference was also a great opportunity to form new relationships for future professional endeavors and collaborations. The value of a conference in which all participants are currently engaged in a 1:1 initiative is huge, and it provides an extremely valuable experience for all involved!