Cultivating Tomorrow’s Innovators: Comprehensive & Individualized Learning

At Ogdensburg City School District, we are dedicated to providing a dynamic and personalized learning experience that empowers students to discover their passions, develop in-demand skills, and become leaders in their chosen fields. Our approach goes beyond traditional classroom instruction, offering hands-on opportunities that foster comprehensive growth and prepare students for real-world success. A prime example of this commitment is the Ogdensburg Free Academy (OFA) Ed Tech/Audio Visual class.

A Student-Led Initiative to Support District Technology

What began as a student-led initiative to support district technology needs has evolved into a crucial force for technological innovation and support within the school district.

The Ed Tech/Audio Visual class first began as a club in 2019 when students began helping OFA Educational Technology Coordinator, Bob Ladouceur to manage, clean and repair the district’s Chromebook laptops. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, their work became critical as students and staff transitioned to remote learning and the district’s 1,800 Chromebook computers needed to be inventoried and updated. 

“It was a big undertaking,” OFA alumni Andrew Doser said. “Dylan [Sovie] and I piloted the AV program, volunteering to help. The district began paying us to work throughout the summer. Now, class members get paid for any work done outside of school hours.”

Once the critical work involved with the pandemic was completed, OFA principal Cindy Tuttle supported Mr. Ladouceur in developing an Ed Tech/Audio Visual class.

Students in this program gain invaluable experience in managing, maintaining, and innovating with cutting-edge technology. 

“I was very lucky from the start because I knew I had a team that I could trust,” Educational Technology Coordinator, Bob Ladouceur says. “The ability to trust [the students] with all this equipment, even when I am not always in the room, has been critical. As part of class, where they now receive credit for working out of my office, they manage many of the ground level tasks, allowing me to focus on software and other related issues.”

While Educational Technology Coordinator, Bob Ladoceur oversees the team’s efforts, he has empowered them to take on responsibilities and develop leadership skills. “Mr. Ladouceur trusts us and comes to us for our recommendations,” Dylan said.

Today, the class is responsible for managing sound, digital displays, and lighting for events held in the OFA auditorium, like the school musical. Members of the class have also begun live streaming sporting events using the NFHS systems installed at the main gym, golden dome and football field.

As part of the Ed Tech/Audio Visual class, students delve into areas such as:

Technology Management & Support: From troubleshooting Chromebooks to setting up new projection systems and exploring advanced tools like Cricut machines and zSpace laptops, students are directly involved in ensuring our district’s technological infrastructure runs smoothly. This practical experience builds essential problem-solving and technical expertise.

Live Production & Broadcasting: Students take the lead in producing high-quality live streams of school events, including sporting competitions and theatrical performances. This hands-on work with professional audio and visual equipment, including NFHS systems, cultivates skills in sound engineering, digital display management, and video production.

Creative Content Development: Beyond technical support, students leverage their video editing and filming talents to create engaging content like the “DevilCast” series, which promotes community events and highlights local achievements. This fosters creativity, communication skills, and a sense of community engagement.

Leadership & Collaboration: Students in the Ed Tech/Audio Visual class aren’t just learners; they are active leaders. They collaborate with district staff, provide critical feedback to technology vendors, and even train their peers and teachers on new equipment. This cultivates invaluable leadership, teamwork, and communication abilities.

The impact of this individualized approach extends far beyond the classroom. Our students gain a competitive edge, with alumni like Andrew Doser and Dylan Sovie leveraging their OFA experiences to secure leadership roles in broadcasting at the collegiate level. Their stories underscore how our programs provide the foundation for future success, allowing students to explore their interests and develop skills that are highly sought after in today’s world.

Ogdensburg City School District is constantly looking ahead, embracing new technologies and evolving our programs to meet the needs of our students. We are committed to fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to pursue their interests, develop critical skills, and become an empowered, innovative contributor to their community and beyond.