SYLACAUGA – Students from Sylacauga High School are traveling every week to elementary schools, teaching technology and computer skills.

Carol Sprayberry, a keyboarding teacher for 28 years, heads the senior project. Sprayberry said the children learn everything from Web browsing to basic typing.

She said the idea came from the need to teach kids correct skills at an earlier age.

“I’ve seen a need in implementing the keyboarding technique in younger grades,” Sprayberry said. “For about two decades I’ve been teaching ninth graders that have been around a computer their whole life and have learned their own method. They get up here to the high school and we try to teach them the right way. But you can’t teach an old dog new tricks sometimes.”

The class is made up of 23 seniors. They have gone to both Indian Valley and Pinecrest Elementary every Tuesday through Friday since the last week in August.

The students form small groups and teach a 30-minute class on technology. Senior Alex Jackson said it was a great opportunity to work with kids.

“I enjoy being an influence on them,” he said. “No one my age ever came here to help me learn how to type. I had to learn how to type myself. I like that they are excited to see me and are getting involved.”

Rachel Glausier, a second grade teacher at Indian Valley, said Jackson has been great with her class.

My kids really enjoy it,” she said. “They love going to see Alex and it’s really helped them with their typing skills. When they need to look up a book to take a test on the computer, they can do it by themselves. I don’t need to help them and they’re doing it a lot faster.”

Alex Thrash said he has also learned from working with the elementary kids. He said he felt proud of the accomplishments of his students.

“It helps you deal with your patience,” Thrash said. “They will forget and you have to help them. But it makes you feel good because you’re helping them remember. Then you will see them come in and actually doing it without your help. I feel like I’ve done that— I’ve taught them.”

While the program started in August, Sprayberry’s work began well before that. After getting approval from the superintendent in January, she spent the next several months working out a lesson plan for her students to work with.

She said students work in the classroom with the elementary teachers acting as supervisors. The seniors receive progress reports from them and also do a weekly blog outlining the days ahead.

“Every Monday they’re here with me,” Sprayberry said. “We talk about what this week’s instruction will be. They have Monday in class here at the high school to plan their lesson, what they are going to say, what they are going to do. They take turns with the active role because everybody needs to be heard and monitoring equally.”

Sprayberry said the project will be on hiatus next semester but will resume again in the fall.

Jackson said Ms. Sprayberry has done an excellent job with the curriculum they go out and teach.

“It’s a wonderful program,” he said. “Being a beginning program right now, it’s still very in-depth. It’s well-thought out. I don’t think you could add much to it. The only time I think anything would need to be added is whenever technology progresses.”

The high schoolers and the elementary kids have also grown close to one another. The young teachers said they received warm welcomes from their students each time they visit.

“They all come up to you and give you a hug,” said senior Nicole Deason. “They’re really excited when they come in.”