Kerri Checchia

St. Matthew Parish School

For sixth grade teacher Kerri Checchia, a good self-induced challenge to try new things has enabled her to integrate technology into her classroom at St. Matthew Parish School in Northeast Philadelphia. Checchia makes it her personal mission to learn about the latest technology innovations and how these new technologies can enrich her students’ experience and add value to her teaching.

“I try to incorporate technology across the curriculum, whether it’s having the students create a PowerPoint presentation on a book they are reading or learn how to use the Internet to research math problems,” said Checchia. “These are the technologies that students will be using in their adult lives, so exposing them to the technology now will ensure they are better prepared.”

Checchia utilizes technology such as laptops, streaming webcasts, Internet research programs and practical software like PowerPoint and Microsoft Word. Recently, she assigned a research project in which students were asked to remodel a room on a $1,000 budget. Students used the Internet to find potential furniture, paint and other decorative elements that they would use to rehab the room. They then entered the cost of each item into Microsoft Excel to ensure they remained within their $1,000 budget.

Checchia has taught at St. Matthew Parish School for more than 13 years. In addition to teaching sixth grade, she serves as a moderator for the school’s Student Council.