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11/05/2014 11:00 PMEast Haven native Michael Archambault's middle school teacher George DeMayo and high school teacher Butch Johnson were among those providing what he calls the "positive learning" that motivated Michael to become a teacher. He originally earned a history degree, but began to focus on technology soon after he became a certified elementary school teacher.
Michael was drawn to the technological aspect during his very first teaching assignment in 2005 at Tuttle Elementary where he worked as a long-term substitute teacher in the computer department. From there, Michael moved to Deer Run Elementary, where he was hired as a technology teacher.
When Michael arrived at East Haven Academy five years ago, he was originally hired to be a 5th-grade teacher, but again switched over to become the technology teacher for the school.
A father to three young children between the ages of three months and eight years, Michael pursues many activities and credits his wife, Heather, for her support.
Michael is an umpire for baseball and an assistant coach on the Academy middle school team. He referees basketball games at both Foxon Recreation league and the high school level, as well as being a soccer coach and working with the East Shoreline Travel Basketball League.
Michael has also been very involved on the board of Sal Tinari Biddy Basketball league since high school-"I took a year off with the new baby," he says, noting with a smile that it helped him to "stay married that way."
Not stopping there, Michael is also treasurer for the East Haven Board of Education, tutors kids after school, and teaches adult education computer classes. How? He says scheduling and his wife's support is the key to managing it all.
"I try to do the baseball work in the early morning before the kids are up and then teaching adult education happens in the evening, so it doesn't take much time away from the family."
Michael is thrilled about the recent grant the Academy received to purchase a Chromebook for every student.
"I love it. There is so much they can do with it now, and the kids are taking ownership of their own product," he says. "The days of kids having to carry heavy books around all day is dwindling, and we can access most things online. It's impossible to lose a student's data."
The technology has completely changed the way Michael teaches his classes.
"With a click of a button, all students can upload the same document or video, saving time and sharing projects," he says. "The younger students are geared toward learning technology skills and presentations around projects, while the older students could be learning about how to create a website based on what they're learning in science or other classes, so it's all geared around the curriculum.
"I'm now able to go into the classrooms more instead of students only learning in the computer room, which is great," says Michael.
A lot has changed since the once-a-week computer classes Michael had in school.
"First-graders are learning PowerPoint and 8th-graders are making documentaries and websites."
Michael admits his schedule is hectic, but says he wouldn't trade it.
"I can't be one of those people who sits in the background," he says. "I have to help change things. I love what I do."
To nominate a Person of the Week, contact Jaki Lauper at j.lauper@shorepublishing.com.