Changing the world... - Stephen T. Badin High School

Alumni Achievements Milestones Events“I said this is a tool, a fascinating tool, that is goingto be an essential part of business,’’ he added. “Iunderstood it and was really good at explaining it toother people. I enjoyed doing that. That’s how I got intoteaching.”Gretz’s original career plan was to be a chemist, buthe found himself in the quality assurance side of thechemical industry for nearly 20 years, handling teamtraining and communications.Those skills brought him to the attention of officialsin the Cincinnati Public Schools, who hired him toteach technology in an adult education program. Gretzput together a 600-hour, 16-week course for dislocatedadults, retraining them for the computer industry. Theplacement rate for the class, according to Gretz, was 98percent.Gretz was also teaching technology to teachers withinthe Cincinnati Archdiocese, and when CincinnatiPublic moved its adult education programs to the Oaksvocational schools, the archdiocese wouldn’t let Gretz getaway.“Sister Helen said, ‘You need to be here with us,’” Gretzsaid, “and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity at Badin HighSchool very much. Technology is integrated into everyclass. The teachers have done a great job implementingtechnology into the classroom and rolling with thechanges.“This is all very important,’’ he added. “Technology issecond-nature to students today, but teaching them howto implement the technology, how to get value out ofwhat they know, is the key.”For his part, Gretz is self-taught. He has taken onecomputer class in his life. But his fascination with theworld of computers and technology is clear every timesomeone walks into his classroom.“I have a real affinity for computer applications, forshowing people what technology can do,’’ Gretz nodded.“I really enjoy doing that.”Gretz is well known at Badin for his bushy mustacheand his love of Ohio State football. He is understandablyproud of his two adult children – a son who is a softwareengineer, married with two children in Pittsburgh; and adaughter who is currently in Vietnam near the end of an11-month international mission trip. And Dave Gretz isalso well known for his ability to unlock the secrets of thecomputer, for students and faculty alike.“I remember walking into a computer room one hotsummer day, it was cool in the room, and I decided Iwanted to work in air conditioning for the rest of mycareer,’’ he laughed. “Computers and technology arecritical to the future for all of our students. That’s thereality of it.”Mobile Technology iPod TouchPilot ProgramBadin’s mobile technology program is a valuableasset to student learning. Now in year two of theiPod Touch pilot program, Badin faculty andstudents have experienced tremendous learningadvantages from this mobile device.For the past two years, incoming freshmen areequipped with new iTouch devices for school andpersonal use. Freshman and sophomore classesnow use their iTouch to assist with research in theclassroom, test taking and classroom participation.The classroom lecture experience is also enrichedthrough the integration of podcasts into coursematerial.What’s Next?Badin High School is committed to a mobile 1:1technology program for students. We’re currentlyevaluating a number of different tools includinglaptops, tablet PCs, iPads and continuing the iPodTouch program. Watch for more information in thecoming months on new advancements for the2012-2013 school year.11