Pulaski Academy has earned exclusive distinction as a SMART Technology Showcase School in central Arkansas. This recognition of PA as a technology leader in education includes a 5-year partnership with SMART that will provide many benefits to the school, including:

• Recognition of PA as a technology innovator

• Opportunity to beta test new SMART products and services

• Opportunity to develop technology best practices with the company

• Exposure in SMART publications and marketing

• Professional development for PA faculty and staff from SMART’s education consultants

• Access to SMART’s showcase forums and SMART Exchange

"We are pleased and honored to partner with SMART Technologies as they bring the latest in educational innovations into our classrooms,” said Dr. Bill Mott, PA President. “To receive this recognition and designation is another important indicator of the academic strength of Pulaski Academy. We look forward to working with them in the years ahead."

SMART describes their Showcase School Program as specific schools who, “recognize the benefits of using SMART products and services to create an engaging 21st-century learning environment, and are excited about sharing their results with the education community.”

PA will act as a host site for other schools or districts interested in learning how SMART products and services can improve teaching and learning. The partnership with SMART also means that PA will have the opportunity to participate in research projects with the company to develop new educational products for the classroom.

“As a showcase school , we will be one of the first to beta test new products. This is a very exciting grant opportunity for us,” said Michelle Ward, PA’s Director of Instructional Technology.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and teachers,” added Ward. “PA has long understood the impact that technology and interactivity makes on the learning process. This opportunity will only expand our ability to move forward in this area and enhance the learning environment. Our teachers have done an excellent job of using all that’s available to them to enhance our curriculum with SMART products. SMART is the industry leader in interactive classroom technology.”

SMART, a private technology company based in Calgary, Canada, developed the world’s first interactive whiteboard in 1991 which is used in many schools, including PA. In addition to the SMART Board interactive whiteboards, PA also uses the company’s SMART Notebook collaborative learning software, SMART Response Interactive Systems for classroom quizzes, the SMART Slate, and SMART Sync classroom management software.