Reflection

I must admit, I'm not too sure what I'm supposed to be writing about this week, because I did not receive a newsletter.  So, here it goes!

A reflection on working with my colleagues:

So many good things are happening because of the DLP program!  I'm watching teachers take risks.  I'm helping teachers step outside the box.  I'm collaborating with teachers on increasing the fun factor.  It's truly a beautiful thing!

Taking risks:  An ELA teacher who is set in her ways decides she wants to dabble with Google forms and put a few spelling tests on google classroom.

Stepping outside the box:  A first year 7th grade ELA teacher wants to change things up from all the paper/pencil activities she inherited and use a video tool to conduct peer to peer interviews.

Increasing the fun factor:  I used Wheel Decide during a faculty PD meeting to keep faculty engaged and to give away prizes.  An 8th grade math teacher used the Wheel Decide in his room to increase student engagement.

The students are viewing me very differently...in a great way!  I've been a teacher in this district since 1989.  I've had parents of some of my students.  They all know me as Mrs. Engler the science teacher, the student forum adviser, the PRIDE team leader.  They know I plan the yearly dance, the food drive, the fun field day at the end of the year.  But now, they know me as the Google Teacher.  At first they weren't too sure what it was that I was doing.  I'd walk in a classroom, look around, take some notes, talk to the teacher, and leave.  Once I started setting up the tech, though, they got excited.  They started asking questions.  So, I started answering them.  They wanted to know what DLP was all about, they wanted to know if I rode a bike at Google, and the questions kept coming.  Now, they come to me about tech..."Can you teach my teacher how to..."  I love it!

I'd like to survey the students at the end of this semester, then, again, at the end of the year.  I'd like to know what they think about a tech coach helping their teacher, and, consequently, helping them.  I think we would get amazing information/feedback from them!

Tuesday is our open house.  I have a flyer ready to hand out, and I have some candy, of course, to share with everyone who visits my table.

A parent is subbing for our office secretary today.  She asked me if I was the Google teacher.  She said her son can't wait for me to coach his teacher so he can use the Chromebooks in class.  She thanked me for all my work and offered her support to me with anything I might need.

Our district has welcomed this program with open arms!  And, I'm so grateful!