In 2004, the superintendent asked me if I'd be interested in serving as a middle school technology leader. She told me a $1500 stipend was available for the extra duties and hours I'd need to fulfill the position. I said, "Absolutely! How fun!"
In those days, I was teaching 6 sections of middle school science, serving as the student forum adviser, serving as a member of the building action plan committee, and responsible for teaching all staff members basic e-mail and Internet skills. It was a packed schedule, to say the least. The tech leader duties had to be squeezed in to my days, before school, during my prep, and after school. Some members of the staff had never used a desktop computer. They resisted, at first, because it was a change, it was different from what they had "always" done. I was eager and willing to take on my new challenge, but the resistance was difficult to overcome, and frustrating, at times.
After a while, the staff started to warm up to the idea of e-mail and using Microsoft applications. They started "learning" things on their own. I remember one day, a veteran teacher invited me in to her classroom. When the bell rang and the students were dismissed, she looked at me and said, "Why are all my word documents black and white, while some other people have color?" Needless to say, we had a fun prep period together, playing around with word settings, bold print, color changes, highlights, and more. That was a great day. She told everyone how fun it was to change the font style. I was so happy and felt so useful.
We've come a long way with using technology in my school. Over the years, we've moved from old, bulky desktops, to streamlined towers, and now, to lap tops for all teachers and staff members. Most teachers are now, at least, comfortable using most of the day-to-day technology required to fulfill job duties. I was still teaching science, 5 sections, still the student forum adviser, no longer the action plan member, but the School Wide Behavior Tier 1 member, and, of course, the tech leader. Instead of fitting tech time into my day, however, I was given a tech period on my schedule. Tech was now taken seriously on all levels.
We introduced Google Chrome, Chromebooks, and Google Classroom to our staff. Everyone was required to get "Google Chrome certified," by training, after school, with administrators and myself, as the tech leader. We started with 4 Chrome carts, and people were interested. I no longer helped people with logging in to a web site, or setting up a Power Point presentation, I was now helping teachers research apps and programs to use in their classrooms. I was growing as a tech leader, because my staff's needs were growing as tech users. I loved this new role! I felt useful, I felt empowered as a tech leader. My job had a true purpose.
All classrooms had projectors and Promethean boards installed, some received Elmo's. My role as tech leader was increasingly important, and my skill level had to increase as well. I took classes and learned all about flipped learning. I implemented it in all my classes, and I shared information with those who were also interested. I attended every tech training I was permitted to sign up for, and I felt as though I was ready for more.
And, then, it happened... Google, Digital Promise, and Ed Tech would give me more.
When my administrators told me they were applying for a full-time tech coach grant, I literally had chills. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for....this was my chance to truly make a difference in the way my colleagues were integrating technology in their classrooms. I was beyond thrilled, beyond excited to get started. I would now have dedicated time to devote to my colleagues and to integrating technology use in meaningful ways in the classroom.
We now have 12 Chromebook carts, and teachers are clamoring to get them signed out and to use them in their classrooms. They are looking to me more and more to help them become tech-savvy and true tech innovators in the classroom. The Dynamic Learning Project has provided me with such fabulous training and such confidence to move forward in this full-time role as a tech coach. I feel as though I belong to an elite group of tech innovators and tech experts, and I'm able to provide my staff with help, guidance, and collaboration with tech tools and technology use in the classroom like never before.
We are moving right along in McGuffey Middle School. The first 8 teachers on cycle one are eager to get started. I can't wait to see what changes from one week to the next. But, whatever challenges I may face, I know the DLP has prepared me well!
No comments:
Post a Comment