Teacher seeks technology upgrades

Anthem resident leads effort to raise money for schools

LOUIE TRAUB/VIEWLake Elementary School teacher David Millette created the Connect 2 Children Foundation to assist with technology upgrades for at-risk classrooms across Clark County. Advertisement

Fourth-grade teacher David Millette is working to make a difference. As an employee at Lake Elementary School, he noticed he could teach a class of children at different educational levels easier through technology. As a result, Millette created a nonprofit organization to equip classrooms in the Clark County School District with more computers.

"As a teacher, I found it increasingly difficult to be effective in my inner city classroom," Millette said. "Over the years, I came to strongly believe, based on my own personal experiences, that increasing technology access for students helps alleviate many of the issues that teachers face in inner-city classrooms."

Issues include students' varying ability levels, behavior issues and sometimes language barriers, according to Millette.

The educator founded Connect 2 Children in 2006 with the hope that he could create elementary school classrooms with a ratio of two computers for every student. Lake Elementary School, 2904 Meteoro St., is the organization's first target school, with Millette implementing his technology program at the school piece by piece.

"It's exciting to think that we could get the technology we need," said Larry McHargue, principal of Lake Elementary School.

So far, no other schools have benefited from Connect 2 Children, but Millette has plans to expand as soon as the nonprofit's finances allow. Millette argued that more computers will lead to increased learning opportunities and cost savings for the school district in the long run.

According to McHargue, the teacher has been raising money for the foundation on his own through various fundraisers, including operating a fireworks stand around the Fourth of July.

Millette's program not only calls for additional computers in classrooms, but also school-specific Web sites for each target facility. On the sites, students will be able to access all of the tools needed for their grade level to help them succeed at assigned tasks. The sites will be loaded with video streams, templates and student samples of work.

According to Millette, an Anthem resident, total costs for the Connect 2 Children plan over three years equal $235,461, with 150 students impacted by the program per year. The cost per student is $1,569. Total costs for a Title 1 reading specialist over three years equals $195,000, with 40 to 50 students impacted each year. The cost per student for a reading specialist is $3,900 to $4,875.

"I don't believe technology will replace teachers," Millette said. "I just saw the benefit of what I was doing in my classroom."

"He wants what's best for the kids," McHargue said. "He's one of those ideal employees."

For more information on Connect 2 Children or to donate, call 478-7409 or visit www.connect2children.com.