Local fifth grader is first in US to receive a technology certification
One local fifth grader is the first in the nation to be GenYes certified in elementary school.
Christopher Vasquez was awarded his technology-based certification on May 15 but was presented in front of all of his classmates at Palmcroft Elementary on May 22.
Vasquez said that the certification came as a shock.
“When I first heard that I got GenYes certified I was kind of like in shock. I couldn’t really yell. Like I kinda had to process that I am the first one.” said Vasquez.
His GenYes iInstuctor Melissa Haile was not shocked at all.
“It would have been a shock to me if they didn’t award Christopher. In fact, what was a shock to us was that they contacted us, they told us it would be an hour they would get back to us. They literally got back to us literally within 10 to 15 minutes.” said Haile.
Christopher received a perfect score on a rubric that high school level GenYes students are also scored on.
After three years of hard work and dedication, Christopher says that it was all worth it.
“I hope that anyone in iTeam or anyone in anything just doesn’t drop out of something because they feel like they’re not earning anything because in the long run it does help.” said Vasquez.
Gen Yes is a program that creates teams of students leaders to work with educators and the IT community to add technology to the classroom and enhance student learning, according to the GenYes website.
As part of the program, Christopher had to complete 100 technology assisted projects of TAPS to be considered for an interview for the certification.
“He couldn’t just do 100 TAPS individually. 15 of those taps had to be with his peers. 10 of those taps had to be with different teachers. So he really had to be really picky and choosey on how to get those taps.” said Haile, GenYes iInstructor.
He plans to use this certification in the future for scholarship opportunities because he hopes to attend college in San Diego. Christopher hopes to be an animator or create a video game when he grows up.
