As I step back and think about the eight years I have already been an educator, I am surprised at how quickly the years passed. While my goal was always to continue my learning and get my masters degree, it seems odd to be thinking about where my learning will happen next. However, getting my masters in educational technology has probed me to continue my learning in technology. Being interested in the subject prior to this master's program, I have come to see how important technology is within my classroom. Now looking ahead, it is my goal to learn and expand in three main areas. I chose to focus on areas that I feel are natural next steps for me to take and that focus on topics in which I have become familiar with through my continued education. They include becoming a technology leader, integrating technology, and taking on a leadership role within my school.
Feeling as though I have a good grasp on the integration of technology into the classroom, I hope to become a technology leader. Being in a district that has recently updated and adopted new technology, we are encouraged to use technology frequently in the classroom. I believe it would be beneficial for not only me, but my colleagues as well, if I pursue my leadership within my school to focus on technology within the classroom. This learning can be done through going to the Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) conference. While attending conferences like this, I will be able to stay up to date with the latest technologies to bring back for use in my classroom and to share with other teachers in my district. Within the past few years, I have found myself integrating technology into my classroom more and more, and also helping my colleagues with their technology questions. I think with this prior experience, a goal to be a technology leader would fit nicely into the learning I have already had.
Along with being a technology leader, I also hope to help with more technology integration within my district, school, and classroom. This masters program has given me the tools to start integrating technology into my classroom, but I will need to continue my learning of updated technology and tools. As technology is always changing and evolving it will be important that my learning does as well. I will need to stay up to date with the latest skills to use with technology. Edutopia is a well known website throughout education, especially when relating to technology. This resource will help me learn through blogs, articles, and research about new tools, apps, and websites that can be successful in the classroom. This will allow me to keep integrating technology into my classroom, and allow me to encourage my colleagues to do so as well.
Lastly, I hope to expand my leadership abilities beyond the area of technology to take on many different leadership roles within my school. My school became a Leader In Me (LIM) school this past year, which will be helpful in allowing me to take on a leadership role. With this program, not only are students taught how to be leaders but the teachers also learn how to use the 7 habits of highly effective people to gain leadership skills in their own lives. I would like to continue my training in Leader In Me by attending professional developments and getting involved in leadership opportunities. The LIM website has many opportunities for educators to get involved in ways such as staff book studies, attending leadership events, and connecting with other LIM schools. I can also take on a leadership role by joining the Lighthouse Committee, which is a small group of leaders who plan school events and school activities. I have already enjoyed working within this program and hope to continue my learning with it. This kind of learning will help to lead me in the training of new teachers who will soon be apart of the staff. This will include teaching these fellow colleagues about the program, and the ideas it encourages.
When I think about future goals I have for my teaching, I am pleased to notice how many steps I have already taken in reaching those goals. I know I will be a life-long learner and will continue to grow as a teacher and a leader in many different areas. Achieving my future goals will require me to learn and grow everyday, and I believe if I continue to engage myself, I can do so. Being surrounded by learning everyday with my job encourages me to keep up with my own personal learning. I know that the next opportunity for me is right around the corner waiting for me to attack it.
Feeling as though I have a good grasp on the integration of technology into the classroom, I hope to become a technology leader. Being in a district that has recently updated and adopted new technology, we are encouraged to use technology frequently in the classroom. I believe it would be beneficial for not only me, but my colleagues as well, if I pursue my leadership within my school to focus on technology within the classroom. This learning can be done through going to the Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) conference. While attending conferences like this, I will be able to stay up to date with the latest technologies to bring back for use in my classroom and to share with other teachers in my district. Within the past few years, I have found myself integrating technology into my classroom more and more, and also helping my colleagues with their technology questions. I think with this prior experience, a goal to be a technology leader would fit nicely into the learning I have already had.
Along with being a technology leader, I also hope to help with more technology integration within my district, school, and classroom. This masters program has given me the tools to start integrating technology into my classroom, but I will need to continue my learning of updated technology and tools. As technology is always changing and evolving it will be important that my learning does as well. I will need to stay up to date with the latest skills to use with technology. Edutopia is a well known website throughout education, especially when relating to technology. This resource will help me learn through blogs, articles, and research about new tools, apps, and websites that can be successful in the classroom. This will allow me to keep integrating technology into my classroom, and allow me to encourage my colleagues to do so as well.
Lastly, I hope to expand my leadership abilities beyond the area of technology to take on many different leadership roles within my school. My school became a Leader In Me (LIM) school this past year, which will be helpful in allowing me to take on a leadership role. With this program, not only are students taught how to be leaders but the teachers also learn how to use the 7 habits of highly effective people to gain leadership skills in their own lives. I would like to continue my training in Leader In Me by attending professional developments and getting involved in leadership opportunities. The LIM website has many opportunities for educators to get involved in ways such as staff book studies, attending leadership events, and connecting with other LIM schools. I can also take on a leadership role by joining the Lighthouse Committee, which is a small group of leaders who plan school events and school activities. I have already enjoyed working within this program and hope to continue my learning with it. This kind of learning will help to lead me in the training of new teachers who will soon be apart of the staff. This will include teaching these fellow colleagues about the program, and the ideas it encourages.
When I think about future goals I have for my teaching, I am pleased to notice how many steps I have already taken in reaching those goals. I know I will be a life-long learner and will continue to grow as a teacher and a leader in many different areas. Achieving my future goals will require me to learn and grow everyday, and I believe if I continue to engage myself, I can do so. Being surrounded by learning everyday with my job encourages me to keep up with my own personal learning. I know that the next opportunity for me is right around the corner waiting for me to attack it.
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