Despite a few technical glitches, the substitute teacher for a fourth-grade class at Pleasantdale Elementary School got through the day just fine.
That could be because the sub knows the ins and outs of the district pretty well, being at its helm for 13 years.
Mark Fredisdorf, superintendent of Pleasantdale District 107, spent Jan. 30 as a fourth-grade substitute teacher. He said it was a great chance to get back in the classroom.
“It was a delightful day. It was probably the best day I have had all (school) year,” Fredisdorf said. “It was great to be that close to the learning process. It reminded me why I got into education in the first place.”
Fredisdorf, who will retire as superintendent at the end of this school year, spent the day in a self-contained fourth-grade classroom where he taught core academic subjects, including math, language arts and social studies. The students did not know their superintendent would be the substitute until that morning.
“I like to do it and I had not gotten a chance this year to do it yet,” Fredisdorf said. “I like to take the opportunity to be with the students and see firsthand what teachers experience on a day-to-day basis.”
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The superintendent said he hopes to find a day to sub at Pleasantdale Middle School later this year.
“I usually don’t plan it too much in advance,” Fredisdorf said. “I normally do it at a time when we need more subs.”
Fredisdorf worked as a teacher in Texas, ,as well as overseas in Athens, Tokyo and Antwerp, before getting on the administration track that eventually led him to District 107.
He said one of the biggest differences from when he was regularly in the classroom is the vast increase in technology.
“Student access technology in every classroom. They all have their own laptops; there are Smart boards and document cameras,” Fredisdorf said. “And so much instruction today has online features that add another dimension to students’ education.
“And youths today are such quick learners. Technology is seamless for them.”
He said the technology components motivate youths, while the software and websites available improve students’ education, making it more interactive.
“But you have to balance it,” he said. “You do not want their nose in a computer screen all day long.”
Fredisdorf said there were one or two technology glitches — websites not coming up and system problems — but nothing major.
He said seeing student computers in daily use, he is happy the district went with more durable laptops.
“With 20 to 25 kids getting laptops out of storage, they get bumped a lot,” Fredisdorf said. “But they are very durable. Students get back to their desks and log on. There is not a delay in them getting on programs. That was nice to see as a sub.”
Over the last few years, Pleasantdale District 107 has made significant investments in technology for student use. That investment includes the deployment of classroom sets of laptops in second through eighth grades. As a result, each student has his or her own personal laptop to use in the classroom environment. Smart boards and document cameras were also installed in classrooms and are used on a regular basis for instructional purposes.
Kevin Beese is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.