Beaver Area School District’s motto, “Where Tradition Dictates a Standard of Excellence,” continues to be upheld by the Student Technology Assistance Program (STAP). The March 2 student-run presentation definitely exceeded expectations—producing work that sets a new standard of excellence, serving as a historical account of Beaver Area’s dynamic learning community and its tradition of innovation.

STAP’s unique student-led design prompted Apple’s representative, Brian Dorfner, to contact Mr. James Shay, Beaver Area’s Director of Technology and STAP instructor, asking Beaver Area’s STAP members to host one of Apple’s quarterly meetings for the day.

Since STAP strives to push students out of their comfort zone—to improve their competency and performance skills—Mr. Shay graciously accepted the offer.

Once the presentation date was announced, seats filled rapidly with 65 superintendents, assistant superintendents, technology directors, teachers, and other districts’ technology students attending Beaver Area’s student showcase to learn more about our extraordinary program.

From the outset, many districts were skeptical of the student-directed program’s design, questioning the structure and workload requirements.

STAP members met the challenge head-on determined to provide the valuable insight needed to help attendees understand the program’s impact and effectiveness. In the days that followed, numerous administrators contacted Mr. Shay, impressed with Beaver Area’s program and the students—the presentation was undeniably a success.

Although the presentation began with a welcome and brief introduction by Dr. Mark Holtzman (Beaver Area School District’s Superintendent), Mr. Dorfner, and Mr. Shay, the STAP students directed the rest of the show.

The “Freshman Four,” Eleni Avdellas, Ella Tharp, Mia Haywiser, and Olivia Tabone, enlightened the visitors about STAP’s history, the interview process, and daily tasks.

The administrative team, Ana Avdellas, Elizabeth Logan, Ava Katkich, and Charlotte Schultz, discussed the program’s main features such as the administrative team, the STAP Board, and the remaining departments. They also touched upon incorporating STAP in the high school schedule as well as the process students follow when grading fellow department heads.

For the first time, STAP included a show-and-tell segment where students walked attendees through the procedure of using software in their respective departments to finalize an assignment.

To encourage optimal learning and engagement, students demonstrated several complex topics including: navigating Open Directory, establishing one-time passwords, utilizing Apple School Manager, resetting an Apple ID password, disconnecting and setting up a classroom phone, creating slides on Rise Vision for school televisions, creating and closing out an iPad repair in Apple’s GSX, preparing, wiping, and selling iPads, as well as backing up a switch and mapping out devices with a MAC address for networking.

Additionally, a live podcast with an individual from the crowd was produced (refer to the podcast on Instagram: @beaverareabobcast).

To emphasize the experience students gain from the program, incoming members, seniors, and STAP alumni interview videos were presented. Dr. John Hansen, a previous superintendent who supported the program’s inception, also sent a video explaining STAP’s history and growth.

During the second portion of the day, Ms. Emily Sanders, Beaver Area School District’s Assistant Superintendent, explained Personalized Learning and Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDP) for educators.

Emily Young, head of teacher training, created a rotating schedule for the first time, where visitors experienced brief StarFleet Academy sessions. Station one covered password and passphrase, while station two was a walkthrough of the Maker Lab. The last station was an introduction to FreeForm, a digital whiteboard application, taught by grade eight students in the Minions class.

At the end of the presentation, Mr. Shay announced an unreleased STAP project— students are working with augmented reality in 3D imaging.

Shortly after Mr. Shay spoke regarding the students’ dedication to the program, Ms. Sanders surprised him with a Certificate of Recognition as the STAP teacher.

“It was nice to receive the award, but I always say that STAP is the students’ program. They deserve the award more than anybody. I am just lucky enough to sit back and watch it all happen,” Mr. Shay stated with a smile.

With the conclusion of the presentation, STAP students anxiously await the program’s next big step—creating a summit for members to meet with students from other districts who hope to start similar programs. Although STAP is 12 years in the making, it continues to ever evolve.