Griswold, CT - Griswold High School is pleased to host southeastern Connecticut’s Regional Educational Service Center, LEARN, for a three-part event on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, from 8:00-11:30 a.m. in the School's Learning Commons. This event is open to the media, but closed to the public. Please contact us if you plan to attend.
Regional educators have been invited to attend a scholastic esports event featuring Dr. Michael Russell of Generation Esports. During the event from 8:00-10:00 a.m., attendees will get a demonstration of of Generation Esports’ curriculum (Gaming Concepts) and gaming platform. Dr. Russell, who is traveling from Kansas for the event, is credited as one of the first to create and implement a credit-bearing high school esports course in America. This presentation will be followed by a tour of Griswold High School’s Nexus Lab and the Middle School’s Launch Pad lab. Attendees will also hear from students, educators and administrators about the impact of integrating esports into teaching and learning at Griswold Public Schools.
Griswold High School’s Nexus Lab was recognized as one of the top 10 esports labs in the country in 2022 by Generation Esports. The advanced-technology lab opened at the start of the 2021-2022 school year to house new courses in esports, coding, graphics and animation. The Lab is also used by Griswold High School’s new Esports team. Members of the esports team recently competed in the High School Esports League’s (HSEL) Fall 2022 season of Valorant and were ranked 7th in the Eastern US out of 150 teams to earn a spot in the tournament.
“LEARN is excited to announce that they have recently partnered with Generation Esports to support educators and administrators who are looking to bring esports to their schools as a team or curriculum,” said Pamela Santerre, Coordinator of Educational Technology Integration and Online Learning at LEARN. “Griswold High School’s new technology education curriculum and esports team are great examples of how to engage students in learning and help them connect with their peers.”
The scholastic esports program will be followed by two other programs for educators. First, a technology roundtable will engage regional educators about information and educational technology in their schools. Then, LEARN will host a focus group for the United States Coast Guard Museum Association (USCGMA). LEARN has partnered with the USCGMA to design in-person and virtual educational programming for this national museum that is to be built in New London. As part of LEARN’s research, they are soliciting input from educators in the state as to how this programming can support their curriculum and students.
About LEARN
LEARN is southeastern Connecticut’s Regional Educational Service Center and as such we:
Pursue equitable and just systems of education; build the skills and knowledge of the educational community; and design innovative, efficient, and effective programs, services, and solutions. LEARN is committed to forging a better future for all learners. Visit us at www.learn.k12.ct.us
About Griswold Public Schools
The Griswold Public Schools offer a comprehensive educational program to approximately 1,700 students in grades Pre-K through 12. This program includes core academics, fine and applied arts, health and fitness, and career pathway offerings as well as special education, remedial support, an alternative high school, and an enrichment program. Griswold Public Schools educates for excellence by ensuring our students are connected, by nurturing individual student talents, and by fostering a future-focused mindset. Learn more at https://griswoldpublicschools.org/
Dr. Michael Russell entered the field of education as a social studies teacher at Complete High School Maize in 2014. Michael has been a speaker at the 2019 ISTE Conference, the 2018 Future of Education Technology Conference, Global Esports Clinic, and the Mid-America Association for Computers in Education Conference.
Dr. Russell is the Vice-President of Curriculum and Esports Integration at High School Esports League, working to develop curriculum for educators around the world.