Education official impressed with SoBoCo’s technology

Southern Boone Elementary had a special visitor from Washington, D.C. last week.

Debora Southwell, visited the University of Missouri and SoBoCo as a part of a $1 million eMINTS grant at the university.

MU’s Christie Terry said she wanted to bring Southwell to SoBoCo due to the district’s commitment to technology in the classroom.

Southwell said she was pleased to see how eMINTS was being utilized in third grade.

“The teachers are very enthusiastic and they are learning what is effective from their students – I’m very impressed with what I’m seeing,” Southwell said.

Southwell noted that one hurdle remaining for many rural schools is connectivity. “We see many rural schools still having to utilize dial-up (web service),” Southwell said.

Having traveled to schools from New York to California, Southwell said Southern Boone should be touted around the rest of the country.

“I like to focus on the work being done in the classroom by teachers and I see excellent work being done right here,” Southwell said.

MU’s Christine Terry said the school’s Department of Education appreciates SoBoCo.

“We feel fortunate to have a district such as SoBoCo as a partner, they have embraced innovation and technology,” said Terry.