Assessing my Tech-Skills Was Harder Than I Thought!

Writing the Self-Assessment for the PTP group was one thing, and then actually having to assess myself against it was another. I'm not going to lie, there were times I felt pretty inadequate in some of the areas, and I asked myself what had I gotten myself into as a coach for this project. Was I even the right person for this job? As I looked over the assessment, I noticed I was really good at the "in the classroom" types of activities. Do I know how to use the basics of technology like keynote, pages, and Google?-yes! Do I utilize stations in my classrooms and give my students choice? - yes! Have I tried having my students use blogs, discussion boards, and other types of digital communication?- yes. However, when I got to the more global parts of education, I was drawing a blank. Am I really bringing the outside world to my students? True, I tell them a lot about the outside world, and what they can expect to encounter when they finally get there. But, do I ever really connect them to the outside? And, outside of leading professional development for my school, do I actually connect to the outside professional world on a more global basis? I don't..and then I asked myself--Why? What is preventing me? What is holding me back from doing this? Is it a matter of time? Is it a matter of convenience in not doing it? Maybe it's fear that no one really outside of my school's protected family will care what I have to say or even find my opinions important. I'm sure many of my colleagues feel the same way. 

So, I think I'm finally arriving at my very long point. In my new role as a classroom teacher/ and as an instructional technologist, bringing that "real world" into our classrooms needs to become a priority. We need to prove to our students "Why" it's important to learn what we are teaching them, and then "how" and  "why" it's important to the "real world".  Because really--aren't we doing this for the kids?

10/2: Launch of the PTP Cohort

Deciding to leave the classroom after seven years of teaching English, a content area near and dear to my heart, was a difficult choice. Embarking on a new career as an Instructional Technology Facilitator or Ed Coach was a scary decision. Being at the cross roads as an educator and deciding which path was the best one to take that would allow me to make the biggest difference was a necessary decision. 

Learning Poetry in the Elements with AP 12

Many people asked me, "Why would you make this change?" Or said, "I cannot believe you are leaving the classroom at the peak of your career." Or better yet, "What about those kids you taught? You know, the ones you taught to read. Who will teach them?" All of these are valid questions, and from the outside looking in, I may appear to be a crazy person for leaving the classroom as the reigning Teacher of the Year, but from the inside it's all about perspective. 

I made this decision to change the path of my career at a very pivotal moment for me as a teacher who had come to a crossroads in my career. In my first seven years, I had taught all levels of English from remedial reading to AP English 12 and everything in between. I had led numerous workshops on the importance of reading and writing across the content areas, how to integrate technology into one's classroom instruction, and developing pedagogy, but I felt like I had even more to offer. 

As a teacher who was willing to try almost anything to "reach my students", and one who always went the extra mile to reinvent or change my lessons on the fly if they weren't working, I saw a great deal of success and learned a lot along the way. I felt by transferring into a position that would allow me to work with all types of teachers, students, and content areas, I would be able to reach more kids than just those who I had for 90 minutes a day. Did I make the right choice? I hope so, but only time will tell. Do I think I can make a difference in my new position much like I did in the classroom? I do. However, I know in this new role my successes will come by leading those from behind the scenes and by fostering and empowering my fellow colleagues to take chances in the classroom to improve overall student engagement and success. 

Having a Hand in Shaping Students Makes the Job!

I am very happy to be a part of leading this inaugural PTP cohort. I really feel this is the key to building empowered  leaders in our school. I am excited to get in the trenches with these teachers and learn how to make our school the place that breeds the minds of the future. I'm looking forward to the wonderful opportunities that will come out of a working environment such as this.