​When I began applying for the Lamar University's Digital Learning and Leading (DLL) program, I was excited to find out that my Microsoft Certified Educator distinction gave me credit for the course! That was one less course to take and I was able to apply my knowledge and skills to earn credit for a course I needed in this degree program. That immediately piqued my interest and let me know that I was not a part of any regular degree program. Then, in my first official course I had the opportunity to develop an innovation plan that I would like to see in my own school district. Based on feedback from Dr. Thibodeaux, my initial idea placed a heavy focus on acquiring "technology" skills with the Teching Sports to the Next Level Camp. I liked the idea and still think there is a place for a camp of this nature as it also built a variety of "soft skills" for students as well. Then, I landed on the idea of a Distinguished Teacher Academy. The goal of this professional learning experience is to support teacher growth and learning in one of the dimensions on the new Texas Teacher Appraisal System - TTESS. I plan to share this when the time is right, but it needs more developing and planning. So, the innovation that I am proud to say that I committed to learning with for this program is the Blended Professional Learning: Preparing Teachers for the Blend. I just reviewed it and it's interesting to see how some things have come to pass and other parts really didn't fit.
I think I was ready for this kind of learning as I've been doing a lot of this kind of learning already! I have taken a variety of online courses, like Adobe Education Train the Trainer, where we learned about a variety of Adobe tools and best practices in professional learning. In addition, I had the opportunity to choose what tool I would focus on for the professional learning course that I would design. Most participants chose to create their professional learning plans around the tools they were knowledgeable about. Then, we would submit our drafts for peer feedback. This was very similar to the COVA (Choice, Ownership, Voice, Authentic) approach and the DLL program.
As a Digital Learning Specialist, I was one of the few that my supervisors knew they could come to for ideas to create change. In fact, I was usually sharing some idea with them every month! In 2013, my supervisor asked for my assistance designing and facilitating a new professional learning experience for teachers who were going to have iPads in their classrooms. That program, Apple Core Teacher Academy, allowed teachers to choose which strand of learning they wanted to participate. Some sessions were offered online and some face-to-face, but most importantly, every assignment from the course was directly tied to what they could and would use in their own learning environments making it very authentic for each teacher. The Apple Core Teacher Academy became the first of many annual professional learning experiences of its kind that our department would offer. The names may have changed and the format changed slightly but they all incorporated choice, ownership, voice, and authentic assignments. And it all began with the idea I shared with her then. I've been in love with creating professional learning experiences that equips teachers and inspires change and innovation ever since.
That passion has led me to my new role, Coordinator of Teacher Development. In this role, I will have the opportunity to support teacher leaders with our district's blended learning initiative and implementation. This program has prepared me for this new season. While I'm sad, in some ways, to leave my awesome classmates and this authentic learning experience, I am glad to begin a new role where I can readily apply all that I've learned.
As a Digital Learning Specialist, I was one of the few that my supervisors knew they could come to for ideas to create change. In fact, I was usually sharing some idea with them every month! In 2013, my supervisor asked for my assistance designing and facilitating a new professional learning experience for teachers who were going to have iPads in their classrooms. That program, Apple Core Teacher Academy, allowed teachers to choose which strand of learning they wanted to participate. Some sessions were offered online and some face-to-face, but most importantly, every assignment from the course was directly tied to what they could and would use in their own learning environments making it very authentic for each teacher. The Apple Core Teacher Academy became the first of many annual professional learning experiences of its kind that our department would offer. The names may have changed and the format changed slightly but they all incorporated choice, ownership, voice, and authentic assignments. And it all began with the idea I shared with her then. I've been in love with creating professional learning experiences that equips teachers and inspires change and innovation ever since.
That passion has led me to my new role, Coordinator of Teacher Development. In this role, I will have the opportunity to support teacher leaders with our district's blended learning initiative and implementation. This program has prepared me for this new season. While I'm sad, in some ways, to leave my awesome classmates and this authentic learning experience, I am glad to begin a new role where I can readily apply all that I've learned.
I have already begun applying the COVA approach and the effective principles of professional learning in our Tech Integration Champions summer professional development. For example, participants have had choice in which date of the summer session worked best for their schedule, they have ownership as they plan their professional learning on their campus (we will not be providing a district mandated professional learning session for them to give) and they will base that professional learning on the needs of their individual campuses. They will also have voice as we will hear from them on a monthly basis and provide support through campus visits and implementation support. Finally, the learning is authentic because they are still classroom teachers. So, the professional learning that they provide to teachers on their campus will be represented in their own classrooms.
I'm also preparing the Tech Integration Champions (my learners) with lots of the things I've learned in the program. We In our summer institute we introduced them to the standards for professional learning and they unpacked one of the standards in a collaborative group. We are even using the hashtag, #fortbendblends, which I created in my course on professional learning. Where I developed a professional learning plan for our professional learning teacher leaders on the campus (I work with the other group- Tech Integration Champions).
My new role is a new position in our district, so it holds much promise and I can be a part of the team that paves the way for innovative learning environments in classrooms and professional learning sessions. One way we will do that is by incorporating choice, ownership, and voice through authentic assignments.
It's interesting to be in the middle of the beginning and the end. There is hope for an exciting future that I know nothing about and confidence that the learning and life experiences I've had will lead me down the right road for me. There is also a feeling of accomplishment in approaching the finish line. However, there is also feelings of loss. Losing the regular connections with other amazing educators (Nancy W, Malika, Patrick, Jason, Nancy B., Chad, and Judy). Not to mention some great professors that challenged me, stretched me, and gave me the awesome opportunity of publishing a book chapter with them! (Coming soon!)
It's been a great ride!
My new role is a new position in our district, so it holds much promise and I can be a part of the team that paves the way for innovative learning environments in classrooms and professional learning sessions. One way we will do that is by incorporating choice, ownership, and voice through authentic assignments.
It's interesting to be in the middle of the beginning and the end. There is hope for an exciting future that I know nothing about and confidence that the learning and life experiences I've had will lead me down the right road for me. There is also a feeling of accomplishment in approaching the finish line. However, there is also feelings of loss. Losing the regular connections with other amazing educators (Nancy W, Malika, Patrick, Jason, Nancy B., Chad, and Judy). Not to mention some great professors that challenged me, stretched me, and gave me the awesome opportunity of publishing a book chapter with them! (Coming soon!)
It's been a great ride!