Evolving at the Speed of Technology
Future Professional Goals
Where do I want to be in six months? What do I want to accomplish in six years? Well, six years ago, if you told me I'd be teaching in Colorado, I'd thought you were crazy. Having youth and passion on my side has brought me out to Colorado and given me a life I'd never even dreamt of. I realized developing curriculum, coaching my peers and becoming a female leader in technology are a few new aspirations as I evolve in my role as Instructional Technology Coordinator. I took advantage of opportunities and followed my dream of becoming an educational technology leader.
Technology
Curriculum
Science teachers have OpenSciEd; math teachers have BigIdeas; language arts teachers have AmplifyELA; social studies teachers have iCivic. What about the arts? What about STEM? I was gifted with teaching robotics and gaming courses to later find out there's no standard curriculum. Therefore, it has become my professional goal to develop a curriculum for the Robotics and Gaming courses offered at our middle school. By using the resources and content currently in place, I plan to develop a modular and differentiated approach for both courses to support future teachers and students. I learned I need to cater my curriculum to students who are more than intrigued by technology, interested but intimidated, as well as students who would rather be playing kickball. At the end of the semester, I began surveying students their favorite, and least favorite, parts of the course to better depict what could transform this course for every student, no matter their motivation level. As of today, my curriculum includes but is not limited to...
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Robotics Curriculum: Simple Machines, Lego Mindstorm, Cue Robotics, VEX Robotics, CoDrones, Careers in Robotics & beyond
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Gaming Curriculum: Scratch, CoSpaces Edu, Alice, Kodu, Merge Cube, History of Gaming, Careers in Gaming, Python basics & beyond
Just like a soccer coach, I want to support my players to achieve their goals. Whether supporting technology integration, technology engagement, or how to maneuver around Google, teachers have their own goals. Working with teachers of all ages, backgrounds, and tech experiences has made me realize how each educator needs to buy in and move and their own pace on their own time. Therefore, I want to:
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Learn and utilize teachers' strengths to help build their confidence and urge around ed tech
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Observe and analyze current instruction offering ed tech alternatives increasing student engagement
Instructional
Coaching
District
Leader
After years of experience teaching in an elementary school and as a middle school technology coordinator I want to effectively support educators in the STEM field. More specifically, I strive to encourage girls to build the confidence and fearlessness to explore the field of STEM in a fun and engaging way. I've sponsored Robotics Club, Girls Who Code, STEM Blazers, and other STEM-related clubs, building strong relationships, mentoring and supporting these students throughout their middle school years. My previous district-level mentor communicated professional development opportunities, bounced around ideas, suggested alternative instructional support and was an incredible colleague to collaborate with. Collaboration has become one of my favorite parts of teaching as I truly enjoy learning from fellow professional educators. As a district leader in technology, I'd look forward to:
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Collaborating with other ed tech leaders to develop more engaging STEM curriculum
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Observe struggling and successful instruction around STEM and brainstorming alternatives to create more engaging learning opportunities
Down the road...
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
My undergraduate career led me to learn and connect with the ISTE community of educators. Although first skeptical and overwhelmed, I've been driven to learning their purpose and mission and grown to align my goals with the ISTE Standards. I'm unsure the various opportunities and careers offered within the ISTE community, however, I do know I would be honored to be a part of it specifically in the marketing department. I support the ISTE Standards for Students and ISTE Standards for Computational Thinking; I try to embody and model the ISTE Standards for Educators, Education Leaders and Coaches. I want students, teachers, coaches, and administrators to genuinely understand and buy into the significance of preparing communities for the ever-evolving future of technology. I aspire to prepare digital citizens of all ages and backgrounds toward fulfilling their biggest dreams through effective use of technology and collaboration.
Other goals:
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Celebrate teachers and acknowledge their strenuous efforts
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Build stronger relationships with students
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Actively listen to my colleagues and advocate for them in leadership meetings
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Stay hungry and passionate about technology in education