BOE Member Peggy Saslow Embraces New Technology at Edscape

After 27 years teaching Home Economics and Science at NMHS, Peggy Saslow returned to the classroom this past Saturday to attend the Edscape Conference, hosted at New Milford High School and organized by Principal Eric Sheninger.

"It was absolutely monumental. We're entering a totally new phase in education and it's so exciting," Saslow told Patch.

Saslow attended a number of the workshops, but she was particularly fascinated by those demonstrating the functionality and usability of Smartboards in the classroom, and their effectiveness as powerful tools in differentiated instruction.

Saslow believes that by bringing this technology into the classroom, teachers will energize their students with these new innovative approaches and create new paradigms for teaching and learning. 

Originally from Boston and a graduate of Simmons College, Saslow moved to New Milford in 1949. "I never thought I wouldn't return to Boston, but my husband worked in New York City, and we moved to New Milford. It was such a tiny place with farms; very rural, very beautiful."

Saslow raised her family in New Milford and taught in the High School until her retirement in 1993. In 1995 she ran for, and won, a seat on the Board of Education where she's been a member ever since. As a Board member, Saslow is actively involved in trying to find innovative ways to improve public education, which is why she was eager to attend Edscape.

What most impressed Saslow about Edscape were the teachers who were genuinely embracing the technology, and demonstrated an eagerness to use the technology in their classrooms.

"We're on the threshold of a revolution in teaching and we have to be aware in order not to be left behind; we must embrace social media," Saslow said. "As a teacher, you have to be excited in order to get the children excited."

Most importantly, Saslow wants the residents of New Milford to know just how wonderful their school system is. 

"Eric (Sheninger) said in his closing of Edscape that there was a time not long ago when a student couldn't bring their cell phone to school. Now it's a learning tool."

Saslow paused before adding, "We are very lucky to have Eric. He is awash in wonderfully innovative ideas."