EduTel Communications Inc.

The Organization
EduTel Communications Inc. is a federally recognized non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization. Our goal is to assist teachers in their efforts to incorporate existing and emerging technologies into interdisciplinary curricula in order to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of all their students. Our philosophy is that existing and emerging technologies are powerful and effective tools for educational excellence when used with meaningful and educationally sound inquiry based programs. We assist teachers and administrators to produce curricula that develop high standards, a sense of curiosity and the creativity necessary for lifelong learning. Our online project, CommunityNet, adheres to the standards set in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, a document crafted by educators and professionals throughout the state.
Our Statement of Purpose
Edutel Communications Inc. is organized to maintain and continue to develop an online educational resource and publishing forum for teachers, students, and other community members; and to train teachers so they can effectively integrate various community resources, EduTel Communications' online projects, and other telecommunications technologies into their classes. Teacher training includes online courses, lesson plans, activities, and resources, onsite workshops and mentoring, quarterly newsletters, and participation in teacher group discussions.
The corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Our Board of Directors
Paul Colombo - Paul has been involved in K-12 education for over twenty-five years and actively involved in educational technology for the past eight years. Paul's eighteen years in the classroom provide him with insights and a profound understanding of the challenges faced by the typical classroom teacher. His involvement with the "Star Schools Program, Reach for the Stars" as well as continued work with educators throughout the state and beyond in the EnviroNet, WhaleNet and HealthNet programs have helped him to refine his vision of education and the place technology plays in the educational arena. In addition Paul has six years experience in training teachers to incorporate technology and inquiry based learning models into K-12 curricula. Paul is well regarded in his field and has been recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Education, MCET, Merrimack Education Center, MassCUE, MAST, and other Massachusetts educational organizations.
Michaela Wyman-Colombo - Michaela's specialty and focus is the inclusion of second language students in the inquiry-based technology driven classroom. She holds a M.Ed. in Curricula Design in ESL and has ten years teaching experience, which include six years in ESL/bilingual settings. She created and successfully piloted an inquiry based technology program for bilingual students in the Methuen Public Schools, "Acquiring English Through Technology", which was presented at MABE '98 and recently sited in "School Business Affairs". She has worked extensively with second language parents and has successfully involved these parents in her programs. In addition to her work in the United States, Michaela has visited schools and networked with administrators and teachers in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
Barry Kort - Barry does research in Learning Theory and Educational Technology. He is the founder of MicroMuse/MuseNet Project, a pioneering online learning community which won the 1996 NII Award for innovation in children's science education on the Internet. Through the Orenda Project, he supports a variety of research, educational and outreach programs. On weekends, he volunteers at the Boston Museum of Science.
Brian Bowlby - (paragraph to follow)
J. Michael Williamson - Mike is an Associate Professor at Wheelock College in Boston, MA. He has been involved in educational technology applications since 1993, education (K-12, and college) since 1970, and marine mammal research since 1976. Mike's introduction to technology enabled him to marry his experiences in education and research in the creation of the interactive-educational site, WhaleNet, which utilizes actual real-time data to enhance interest in mathematics, sciences, and life-long learning. Mike works in collaboration with: the National Marine Fisheries Service disseminating information about all Right Whale sightings in New England; the New England Aquarium with various marine mammal satellite tagging projects; Duke University's Marine Lab with harbor porpoise tagging and research; and numerous other international research organizations to bring actual research to education via the Internet. Mike's work on WhaleNet has generated over 40 national and international awards in educational technology.
Elissa Landre - (paragraph to follow)
Christopher Pompei - (paragraph to follow)

The Vision of EduTel Communications
Our vision is driven by the shared experiences of all the dedicated educators, professionals, students, and parents with whom we have networked during the past twenty-five years. The inspiration for our model comes from the students. We have worked with gifted students who have relied on technology and the world wide connections it provides in order to expand their educational horizons, as well as marginal students who have succeeded and become stars in their own right because of their involvement in interdisciplinary projects using the Internet. We are driven by the vision that all students can realize their potential and succeed with the help of a purposeful combination of high standards, inquiry based curricula, and the technology that gives them the ability to interact with others throughout the world.