Ever wonder how you can build deeper and more meaningful connections with your students? Ever think about how you can use technology to strengthen those connections? 

A new video series produced by our partner PLS Classes, Beyond the Classroom, explores at-home learning ideas that one Buffalo-area teacher uses to create meaningful connections with her students. The series features Julie Perna who is the Gifted Programming Specialist at Forest Elementary School in Williamsville, NY. In each episode Ms. Perna shares ideas to help teachers create connections and deepen relationships with students online using social media platforms such as Instagram or YouTube. 

The series is meant to spark creativity amongst teachers while also providing parents with a trusted resource to share with their elementary age students. In episode one, you’ll find out how Ms. Perna uses Instagram for her weekly Maker Monday Challenge. Maker Monday involves fun and creative projects that her students could do at home. Episode two features “Read Aloud”, which is a series of YouTube videos that Ms. Perna produced in order to instil a love of reading just for fun! In episode three, Ms. Perna talks about her coaching experience working with high school JV girls lacrosse players and how this experience translates to building relationships and trust with students.

Watch the Videos

We hope that you’re inspired by Miss Perna’s work beyond her classroom.

About Julie Perna

Julie Perna, is a gifted programming specialist at Forest Elementary in Williamsville Central School District. She has been teaching for six years. Three of those years in the general education setting. In addition to teaching, Ms. Perna also teaches yoga at Power Yoga Buffalo and has been coaching girls lacrosse for seven years. She currently coaches at Williamsville South High School. Ms. Perna loves to teach, and inspire others through positivity and a growth mindset. Follow Ms. Perna on Instagram @mspernagps and via her YouTube Channel.