Pressroom / News Releases
AV Solutions Assists with Classroom Makeover
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (June 12, 2008) – Wendy Wurz teaches in the basement of Wilson Commencement Academy on Genesee Street in Rochester. Looking to improve the educational environment, she contacted AV Solutions’ Justin Lesko to assist her with audio and visual technology.
Lesko was able to donate a SMART Board 640 in April 2006 for Wurz’s classroom and students.
“There is a positive reaction to the SMART Board from the students,” Wurz said. But today the SMART Board 600i is on her wish list, which she believes will help her reach more students.
Actually, several items are on Wurz’s wish list, including many carried by AV Solutions. Now her wish can come true because of a contest that will allow her classroom to be transformed and enhance the learning potential of her students.
In March Wurz won “This Old Classroom Makeover” contest, sponsored by American Federation of Teachers’ campaign “Building Minds, Minding Building.” After she learned of her fortune, she contacted Lesko to help determine what products would be best for her classroom. The goal is to “make it as interactive as the budget will allow,” Lesko said.
The makeover is projected to start once students leave for the summer. Wurz said her classroom has several issues that interfere with learning, such as deteriorating ceiling tiles, rattling ventilation, and irregular temperatures.
Despite these poor conditions, “students come in everyday eager to learn,” Wurz said, adding she’s looking forward to starting the new school year with the latest educational technology to help reach them.
If you would like information about SMART products contact our educational consultant Justin Lesko
Three Districts Receive more than $70K in SMART Technology
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (January 15, 2008) – Technology makes a great gift—especially when the red bow wraps up between $20,000 to $30,000 in free products and software. Such was the case for three school districts in the Rochester area.
Klem Road South Elementary in Webster, Livonia Junior High School, and Edison Tech in Rochester were selected as SMART Showcase Schools in December, all nominated by their SMART Board trainer Justin Lesko of AV Solutions.
“I sell to schools all over the state, but these three school districts have really embraced the technology and are attempting to use it in nearly every classroom,” he said. “They all deserved to be named a SMART Showcase school, and I’m honored that they were.”
SMART Showcase Schools use classroom technology in outstanding ways. SMART Showcase Schools recognize the benefits of using SMART products and services to create an engaging learning environment, and are excited about sharing their results with their educational community.
Wendy Smith teaches K-5 math science technology at Klem Road South. A seasoned teacher of 14 years, she just started using a SMART Board less than three years ago and has become a SMART Exemplary educator for her school.
“It’s fantastic. I don’t know what I would do without having a SMART Board in my classroom,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t be able to teach the same.”
"To be considered for a SMART Showcase School, applicants had to demonstrate a willingness to incorporate technology throughout the district, and also illustrate how they were already using all the SMART technology available to them," Lesko said.
“Sometimes people get the technology and it doesn’t get used,” Lesko said. “That’s why I stress training with all my districts.” To see that this doesn’t happen, these SMART Showcase Schools will act as host sites for other school or district stakeholders interested in learning how to apply technology in their classrooms.
Lesko began creating an online community of teachers that can share ideas and lessons for SMART Board products. “There are thousands of SMART Boards in the Rochester/Buffalo area. Teachers always try to rely on themselves, but it’s important to share content and ideas among district,” he added.
Smith says her district is already looking at ways to put lessons up online so others can use them: “You’re really able to make your lessons more of a multi-media presentation, and able to engage the kids and make them active learners at the board, interacting with their own learning.”
AV Solutions Awarded Large Contract at HealthNow
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (June 7, 2007) – AV Solutions, headquartered in Rochester, has been awarded an equipment contract
with HealthNow for more than $750K, the largest single order the company has received to date. AV Solutions
is installing a wide variety of audio and video conference equipment for HealthNow’s new headquarters in downtown Buffalo. The new equipment will also ensure effective communication between all 10 HealthNow locations. The installation of the new equipment is expected to be completed by August 2007.
Awards & Recognition
In 2006, our parent company won two major awards, the J.D. Power Client Satisfaction award (based on independent client surveys) and the Rochester Business Ethics Award for small businesses.
In 2006, AV Solutions was recognized for its acoutic renovation of the historic Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY. >> Download PDF
