Biography
I am a Digital Learning Specialist with Fort Bend ISD and a former Speech Communication Teacher and Debate coach. I jump at every opportunity to use my communication, enthusiasm, and storytelling skills into a presentation, professional learning session, or classroom.
In my communication class, I made sure my students had plenty of authentic learning experiences. Sometimes it was by helping students practice their interviewing skills with community volunteers for mock interviews, speaking at school events, and sharing their original works at our first SpeakUp, SpeakOut Night. My mock interview initiative became a regular campus-wide event involving all three communication teachers and the principal supported the event by purchasing lunch and breakfast for our guests. One of my other roles was that of mentor teacher. This was a very rewarding opportunity to coach, encourage, and assist new teachers. This helped me to feel like I was truly passing the lessons I’ve learned in the classroom to new educators so that they could become stronger teachers. That same year I was a campus finalist for Teacher of the Year. During that time, I fell in love with podcasting. As a Speech Teacher there were many ways I could use it in the classroom but when my principal asked me to coordinate something to boost teacher morale, I created podcasts to motivate and inspire our staff. This love of podcasting, prompted me to seek a position in Digital Learning. I wasn’t much of a techie but I was interested in any tool that could help make learning meaningful and authentic for students. My former principal endorsed my decision when he told me, “in this position you will get to help more teachers, help more kids.” He was right!
I enjoy working in Digital Learning but it has not always been easy because what I am often asking people to do is CHANGE. Change the tool you have been using to teach for the last few years. Change the pedagogical model so that students can learn away from your learning environment. Change the way you communicate with parents. Change the way you've always done it. Change the way you learn it. Change to meet the needs of the learners in your class.
I am an insatiable learner in every since of the word! It's evident through my participation and leadership in various learning communities, associations, and distinctions. I am an authorized Google Education Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Adobe Education Leader, and Certified Adobe Education Trainer, Edmodo Certified Trainer, and Common Sense Graphite Certified Educator, and a Nearpod Pionear. I have presented at the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), SXSWedu, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference and Association of Supervision, Curriculum, and Development (ASCD). I was an Edmodocon 2015 speaker and a featured presenter at the Nebraska Educational Technology Association conference.
My passion is designing and facilitating a professional learning experience that empowers, inspires, and equips teachers with innovative, proven solutions to reach and teach each of their students.
In my communication class, I made sure my students had plenty of authentic learning experiences. Sometimes it was by helping students practice their interviewing skills with community volunteers for mock interviews, speaking at school events, and sharing their original works at our first SpeakUp, SpeakOut Night. My mock interview initiative became a regular campus-wide event involving all three communication teachers and the principal supported the event by purchasing lunch and breakfast for our guests. One of my other roles was that of mentor teacher. This was a very rewarding opportunity to coach, encourage, and assist new teachers. This helped me to feel like I was truly passing the lessons I’ve learned in the classroom to new educators so that they could become stronger teachers. That same year I was a campus finalist for Teacher of the Year. During that time, I fell in love with podcasting. As a Speech Teacher there were many ways I could use it in the classroom but when my principal asked me to coordinate something to boost teacher morale, I created podcasts to motivate and inspire our staff. This love of podcasting, prompted me to seek a position in Digital Learning. I wasn’t much of a techie but I was interested in any tool that could help make learning meaningful and authentic for students. My former principal endorsed my decision when he told me, “in this position you will get to help more teachers, help more kids.” He was right!
I enjoy working in Digital Learning but it has not always been easy because what I am often asking people to do is CHANGE. Change the tool you have been using to teach for the last few years. Change the pedagogical model so that students can learn away from your learning environment. Change the way you communicate with parents. Change the way you've always done it. Change the way you learn it. Change to meet the needs of the learners in your class.
I am an insatiable learner in every since of the word! It's evident through my participation and leadership in various learning communities, associations, and distinctions. I am an authorized Google Education Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Adobe Education Leader, and Certified Adobe Education Trainer, Edmodo Certified Trainer, and Common Sense Graphite Certified Educator, and a Nearpod Pionear. I have presented at the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), SXSWedu, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference and Association of Supervision, Curriculum, and Development (ASCD). I was an Edmodocon 2015 speaker and a featured presenter at the Nebraska Educational Technology Association conference.
My passion is designing and facilitating a professional learning experience that empowers, inspires, and equips teachers with innovative, proven solutions to reach and teach each of their students.
