Fall, 2011 - Stephen T. Badin High School

Principal’s Letter Cover Story Spotlight StudentsFaculty SpotlightDave Gretz isBadin’s guru ofthe tech future10You generally hear Mr. David Gretz before you see him.Gretz has been booming out the gospel of technologyat Badin High School for 11 years, and doing it veryeffectively.“Having the ability to be comfortable aroundcomputers, around technology, is simply a necessityin the 21 st century,’’ says Gretz, Badin’s technologyinstructor. “Computers are a way of life for our students.You don’t have to introduce them to computers anymore.“Now it’s a matter of getting them to use them moreefficiently, and to learn about the different areas oftechnology,’’ he said.Gretz has been a key player in Badin’s ongoingembrace, upgrading and expansion of technology overthe past decade. He points to numerous enhancements,including three upgrades of the computer labs, newsoftware programs every year, even the use of freeInternet applications that have saved money.Of course, the real groundbreaking items have beengiving incoming students iPod Touches for each of thepast two years, and moving to Google Apps, whichGretz calls “cutting-edge technology. It’s a tremendouscollaborative learning tool, and it will make our students’transition to college that much easier.”Like most 50-something adults, Gretz was not born totechnology – but at the same time, he knew the futurewhen he saw it.“I was always fascinated by the big room ofcomputers,’’ recalled Gretz, a Columbus native whograduated from Franklin University there. “When the firstpersonal computer came out, I saw what an impact itwould have on where I wanted to go.