Project INSPIRE expands to Vivien Vanterpool Primary School in Island Harbour, advancing the goal to provide a robust technology integration and e-learning system for students and teachers across Anguilla.
On Friday, 27th October 2023, the Government of Anguilla joined with the Ministry of Social Development and Education, the Department of Education and The Anguilla Initiative, a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, to formally launch the second school in the Project INSPIRE program, Vivien Vanterpool Primary School (VVPS). Project INSPIRE provides a device for every student and teacher, an interactive smart board for each classroom, and the necessary infrastructure to fully integrate technology into the teaching-learning process in Anguilla. Additionally, Project INSPIRE provides upfront and ongoing technology training and professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators.
The expansion to VVPS represents an important step forward for Project INSPIRE. After a successful pilot year at Orealia Kelly Primary School (OKPS), the resulting Performance Evaluation Report affirmed the positive impact of the program, including improvement in standardized test scores, increase in average school attendance, strengthening of students’ online math program usage, mastery, rapid adoption and integration of technology, and strong support from administrators, teachers, parents, and students.
Chief Education Officer, Mr. Bren Romney expressed gratitude for the generous financial support of The Anguilla Initiative and other sponsors. “Through our Private/Public Partnership with the Anguilla Initiative, the Department of Education has worked tirelessly to ensure Project INSPIRE is successful. These efforts have resulted in recognition from industry leaders such as Promethean and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Financial contributions from key partners like the Anguilla Progressive Association of New York (APANY) and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation as well as from strategic industry partners, Lenovo and Absolute Software, paved the way for the exciting expansion at VVPS. Moreover, last year’s momentum from the OKPS pilot resulted in the Government of Anguilla officially committing financial resources (USD $200,000), to the continued rollout of Project INSPIRE.”
Mr. Andy Hunn, Founder of the Anguilla Initiative, spotlighted successes to date and shared his vision for Project INSPIRE to be implemented across all of Anguilla. “As we had hoped, our pilot year at OKPS validated that student learning increases when technology is appropriately and effectively integrated into the classroom. The Anguilla Initiative shares the Department of Education’s goal for ongoing expansion of Project INSPIRE and looks forward to continued collaboration.” Mr. Hunn also thanked key strategic partners Lenovo and Absolute Software for their commitment to the students of Anguilla.
In his video message, Mr. Matthew Zielinski, Executive Vice President and President of International Markets, Lenovo, shared how his visits to the island for vacation as well as for professional corporate retreats cultivated his personal connection to Anguilla. “In 2022 we were excited to support Project INSPIRE by donating devices for the pilot. Based on the successes at OKPS, we have strengthened our commitment to cover all device needs for students at the primary school level across the nation of Anguilla. We at Lenovo look forward to seeing the profound advances in learning continue, and we are excited to celebrate the successes that result from this critically important program.”
In a previous communication, Mr. Edward Choi, Senior Vice President, Global Alliances, Absolute Software highlighted the ability of his company’s security software to locate a device anywhere in the world and lock or erase that laptop. “We secure the devices for some of the largest school districts in the United States. So when we were made aware of Project INSPIRE, we were immediately curious to learn more. The transformation at OKPS during the pilot has been nothing short of remarkable. We are proud to support Project INSPIRE’s mission and have committed to provide our endpoint security technology across all primary school devices in Anguilla. Congratulations on a great start, and we look forward to tracking INSPIRE’s progress at Vivien Vanterpool Primary School and beyond.”
APANY was represented via Zoom call, by Mr. Godwin Carty, President of APANY’s Florida Chapter. Mr. Carty shared words of support and satisfaction on the incremental rollout of Project INSPIRE. His colleague, Mr. Carlson Connor Lloyd, APANY’s President, had previously shared the non-profit’s commitment to assist Anguilla, noting, “Our organisation is honored with the accomplishments of what started as the Anguilla Computer Challenge Initiative within the Department of Education and has now morphed into a collaborative project – Project INSPIRE. APANY firmly believes that access to modern technology is crucial for students’ educational development in this digital age. APANY’s collective responsibility is to ensure that students have the tools they need to thrive academically, and for students to be prepared for the challenges of the future.”
Mr. Kevin Carty, General Manager of Aurora Anguilla, represented the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation in place of Mrs. Mary Beth Geier, Florida Region Coordinator of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, who was unable to attend. Mr. Richard Schulze, Chairman of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, had earlier confirmed his pleasure to partner with the Anguilla Department of Education on Project INSPIRE, saying that, “Providing children with a strong education in their formative years is one of the most important building blocks for their future success. Our challenge grant to fund the acquisition of new computers has inspired and engaged local and international donors and raised awareness of the need for enhanced technology in the classroom. We are proud to have helped create a win-win for the children of Anguilla, as well as for the Anguilla Department of Education.”
In addition to the congratulatory messages for Project INSPIRE’s continued success, there was also a presentation of laptops to Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty, Principal of the Albina Lake Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS). The laptops have been donated to ALHCS to strengthen teachers’ ability to use the technology for improved instruction and student learning.
However, VVPS represents the second complete launch site for Project INSPIRE. It is anticipated that the Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School (AARPS) will launch in early 2024 and additional schools will be added to the program in future academic years.
