JMS Selected as a Microsoft Showcase School

Jefferson Middle School is recognized as a global leader
in successful integration of technology with teaching and learning.

Oak Ridge, TN September 7, 2016 – Jefferson Middle School was selected by Microsoft as a 2016-2017 Microsoft Showcase School for their excellence in transforming its learning environment to deliver more personalized education to students. They are also recognized for using mobile and cloud technology to better prepare students for success in the workplace.

Jefferson staff and students now join an exclusive community of more than 850 premier schools from around the world, recognized to celebrate their innovative efforts in rethinking teaching, learning and assessment to ensure college and career readiness for all students.

Currently, Oak Ridge Schools use Microsoft platforms in the classroom, including Windows 10, Microsoft Office 2016, and Office365, a cloud-based service for creating, sharing and storing student work on a secure platform.  Additionally, through integration with Canvas, our learning management system, OneNote’s ClassNotebook is being implemented by Jefferson teachers as an efficient way to create an easy workflow for middle school students. As the availability of applications within Office365 and the Microsoft store continues to grow, teachers integrate teaching and learning tools in exciting new ways.

Microsoft Showcase Schools are a global community of schools engaged in digital transformation to improve teaching and learning. Showcase Schools create immersive and inclusive experiences that inspire lifelong learning, stimulating development of essential life skills so students are empowered to achieve more.

Showcase School leadership teams are part of a professional community that amplifies the use of technology to drive school-wide transformation and efficiency. Microsoft Showcase Schools emphasize personalized learning for their students through the use of 1:1 learning devices and learning with current technology such as Office 365 Education, Office Mix, OneNote, Skype, Sway, Minecraft, and more.

“We are excited about being selected as a Microsoft Showcase School. It is a testimony to the passion our students and teachers have exhibited in creating innovative digital learning solutions,” said Heather Henderlight, Instructional Technology Coach at Jefferson. “We look forward to collaborating with other Showcase schools and inspiring others here in our community with ideas for equipping our students with the tools they need for success in education and the workforce.”

As a Showcase School, Jefferson Middle School will work closely with Microsoft to lead innovation in education and communicate a vision for education enabled by technology through the hosting and mentoring of other schools in the community.

“Microsoft Showcase Schools are shining examples of those applying purpose-driven innovation in a variety of ways to build connection, motivate students and to create community in and out of school,” said Anthony Salcito, vice president, Worldwide Education, Microsoft. “These schools are truly transforming learning and providing more personalized education to students empowering them to achieve more.”

As well as being recognized on a global scale for their innovative approach to educating tomorrow’s workforce, Showcase Schools receive additional collaboration opportunities with other schools around the world, access to professional development opportunities, invitations to exclusive events, access to Microsoft Innovative Educators Experts (MIE Experts) on staff to help drive innovation and to support staff, peers and students, and more.