Future as a Learner |
As I wrap up my time with the Masters of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program through Michigan State University, I am realizing that it is really just the beginning of my learning and leadership. As I started my journey in the program, I really didn’t imagine how much learning I was going to take away from it. Now, I am on the cusp of taking my learning to support the students, staff and colleagues I work with daily. For me this is exciting and refreshing moving forward!
It is my number one goal to provide learning that is meaningful and will also inspire great teaching. Delivering material with the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) philosophy in mind will engage learning with our students for better overall instruction. When I began my teaching career over twenty years ago I always wanted to be sure that my delivery was engaging and that the learning was practical for my students. A scene from one of my favorite movies has stuck with me over time. Who doesn’t remember the boring economics teacher from Ferris Bueller’s day off? A must view if you have never seen it. Take a look, but never become one!
My charges as the building administrator of a large middle school are many. Obviously, one of which is managing the staff and overall building operations. I oversee the day-to-day operations of the hallways, parking lot, lunchroom and try to keep the students and staff safe from the issues that surround education today. Other responsibilities include data analysis and instructional leadership. Furthermore, the expectations for instructional leadership are much higher today than ever before. Traditional learning has become a thing of the past! It has become a necessity to update our model for delivery of instruction; specifically, the need for technology to deliver full-length courses online or in hybrid formats. We have a variety of teachers at the middle school that embed technology into their classrooms to support instructional concepts, enhance the curriculum and extend the learning experience outside of the classroom walls...but it doesn’t seem to be enough. This is where I will help drive integration of the TPACK model within Saline Middle School.
Another charge will be the creation and delivery of courses over the Web. This will be the driving force for educational change in the 21st century and potentially help reach learners with many different styles of learning. As the building leader, providing innovative learning opportunities for all students in Saline Middle School will be key. I have always believed if you want to make changes you need to lead by example. I want to be able to provide support and clear expectations for students and staff in the use of technology. It’s going to take patience on my part as it relates to learning these new innovations, but I am up for that challenge. Finally, in order for me to keep Saline Middle School focused on excellence and moving in a positive direction, I must model being a lifelong learner. I look forward to developing new venues via technology so that our students have every opportunity to be successful.
The good news is that we have many pieces already in place within Saline Middle School. We already have the technology backbone in place, i.e., new network core, enterprise wireless in the building, BYOD access for all staff & students, Google Suite of Products, unlimited access to web tools, etc. What I need to do is work with our Director of Technology Integration to create a year-long tech integration plan that gets to the systemic level at the middle school that includes strategies, communication, training, collaboration/building capacity of all staff members, adding emerging technologies, reconstructing learning spaces, etc. This plan will be paired tightly with “good teaching/facilitation”, administering authentic assessments, allowing the students to be producers of content instead of just consumers, and tackles important 21st century skills for both staff & students. In the end, it’s about vision, culture and excellence.
At the end of the day, I want my newly gained skills to be passionate, inspirational and worth sharing...in a non-threatening, non-competitive way. Technology integration is only as good as the weakest administrator and I want to be the leading administrator within our district. Basically, I want to pay it forward and help build tech capacity within my building and district. Staying with my Mr. Potato Head theme...I am adding parts to my potato that will allow me to take my skills into the next generation!
It is my number one goal to provide learning that is meaningful and will also inspire great teaching. Delivering material with the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) philosophy in mind will engage learning with our students for better overall instruction. When I began my teaching career over twenty years ago I always wanted to be sure that my delivery was engaging and that the learning was practical for my students. A scene from one of my favorite movies has stuck with me over time. Who doesn’t remember the boring economics teacher from Ferris Bueller’s day off? A must view if you have never seen it. Take a look, but never become one!
My charges as the building administrator of a large middle school are many. Obviously, one of which is managing the staff and overall building operations. I oversee the day-to-day operations of the hallways, parking lot, lunchroom and try to keep the students and staff safe from the issues that surround education today. Other responsibilities include data analysis and instructional leadership. Furthermore, the expectations for instructional leadership are much higher today than ever before. Traditional learning has become a thing of the past! It has become a necessity to update our model for delivery of instruction; specifically, the need for technology to deliver full-length courses online or in hybrid formats. We have a variety of teachers at the middle school that embed technology into their classrooms to support instructional concepts, enhance the curriculum and extend the learning experience outside of the classroom walls...but it doesn’t seem to be enough. This is where I will help drive integration of the TPACK model within Saline Middle School.
Another charge will be the creation and delivery of courses over the Web. This will be the driving force for educational change in the 21st century and potentially help reach learners with many different styles of learning. As the building leader, providing innovative learning opportunities for all students in Saline Middle School will be key. I have always believed if you want to make changes you need to lead by example. I want to be able to provide support and clear expectations for students and staff in the use of technology. It’s going to take patience on my part as it relates to learning these new innovations, but I am up for that challenge. Finally, in order for me to keep Saline Middle School focused on excellence and moving in a positive direction, I must model being a lifelong learner. I look forward to developing new venues via technology so that our students have every opportunity to be successful.
The good news is that we have many pieces already in place within Saline Middle School. We already have the technology backbone in place, i.e., new network core, enterprise wireless in the building, BYOD access for all staff & students, Google Suite of Products, unlimited access to web tools, etc. What I need to do is work with our Director of Technology Integration to create a year-long tech integration plan that gets to the systemic level at the middle school that includes strategies, communication, training, collaboration/building capacity of all staff members, adding emerging technologies, reconstructing learning spaces, etc. This plan will be paired tightly with “good teaching/facilitation”, administering authentic assessments, allowing the students to be producers of content instead of just consumers, and tackles important 21st century skills for both staff & students. In the end, it’s about vision, culture and excellence.
At the end of the day, I want my newly gained skills to be passionate, inspirational and worth sharing...in a non-threatening, non-competitive way. Technology integration is only as good as the weakest administrator and I want to be the leading administrator within our district. Basically, I want to pay it forward and help build tech capacity within my building and district. Staying with my Mr. Potato Head theme...I am adding parts to my potato that will allow me to take my skills into the next generation!