My fifth year teaching, the school at which I taught transitioned to a 1:1 model where every student had a Chromebook and teachers were expected to find ways to integrate technology and support student use of digital devices on a daily basis. The school provided professional development and encouraged teachers to try new programs in their classroom. I enjoyed learning about new resources and seeing how they could enhance my student’s learning experiences, which led to my interest in pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Technology. This interest was only reinforced when I moved back to Michigan the following year and started working at a school with a checkout system for devices and a new prewritten science curriculum that rarely integrated technology.
My professional goal upon entering the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program was to learn ways to enhance my student’s learning experiences with the effective incorporation of technology. I wanted to be better prepared and informed when making decisions on how to adjust the curriculum to utilize technology so that my students would have sufficient 21st Century skills. This is still a goal I have as I gain more experience teaching new curriculum and adjusting lesson plans in order to meet the needs of my students.
My personal goal was to continue to be a lifelong learner and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and be the best educator possible. This is a goal that I remain committed to, especially since educational practices continue to shift and change and new technology is developed. My curiosity about the world around me and inquisitive nature are most likely what influenced me to teach science, but it also fuels my desire to continue learning and experiencing new things. A professor in my first education course in college once told me that, “A good educator never teaches the same school year twice.” This has been a reminder to me that educators should be dedicated to continue trying new approaches and adjusting their lessons based on experiences and new learning.
A new goal that I have for myself through my learning in the MAET program is to share my knowledge with others. When I taught at a 1:1 school, I was often asked by colleagues to assist them with technology, attend conferences, and share my learning with my colleagues. Since technology is not at the forefront of my current school’s improvement plan, I have realized that many of my colleagues have a limited understanding of the digital resources that exist and how they can integrate it into their curriculum. Looking forward, I realize that I may want to pursue a position as a technology coordinator at a school at some point in my career so that I may be a resource to assist teachers with technology in the classroom. I have learned so much during my time in the MAET program and even though I will be graduating in May, my journey as an educator has only just begun.
My professional goal upon entering the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program was to learn ways to enhance my student’s learning experiences with the effective incorporation of technology. I wanted to be better prepared and informed when making decisions on how to adjust the curriculum to utilize technology so that my students would have sufficient 21st Century skills. This is still a goal I have as I gain more experience teaching new curriculum and adjusting lesson plans in order to meet the needs of my students.
My personal goal was to continue to be a lifelong learner and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and be the best educator possible. This is a goal that I remain committed to, especially since educational practices continue to shift and change and new technology is developed. My curiosity about the world around me and inquisitive nature are most likely what influenced me to teach science, but it also fuels my desire to continue learning and experiencing new things. A professor in my first education course in college once told me that, “A good educator never teaches the same school year twice.” This has been a reminder to me that educators should be dedicated to continue trying new approaches and adjusting their lessons based on experiences and new learning.
A new goal that I have for myself through my learning in the MAET program is to share my knowledge with others. When I taught at a 1:1 school, I was often asked by colleagues to assist them with technology, attend conferences, and share my learning with my colleagues. Since technology is not at the forefront of my current school’s improvement plan, I have realized that many of my colleagues have a limited understanding of the digital resources that exist and how they can integrate it into their curriculum. Looking forward, I realize that I may want to pursue a position as a technology coordinator at a school at some point in my career so that I may be a resource to assist teachers with technology in the classroom. I have learned so much during my time in the MAET program and even though I will be graduating in May, my journey as an educator has only just begun.