Michelle and I met each other a few years ago as we worked on an implementation guide for Arizona's Department of Education's educational technology standards. We connected through our similar job responsibilities and shared enthusiasm for education. We were eager to learn about what each was doing to support teachers in their respective educational technology endeavors and how learning from one another could improve our knowledge and practices. Correspondence over the last couple years has been virtual despite us being fewer than 160 miles away from one another, both serving on the Arizona Technology in Education Association board, and even attending ISTE12! We plotted to one day conduct site visits and see how we could grow by seeing how "others" operate. We had no idea how the day would change us all.
Three schools and seven classrooms not only fulfilled Michelle's team's expectations, but the benefits extended to me, my technician, and the hosting teachers. As someone who is a sucker for all heartfelt education stories, I loved seeing teachers with whom I had worked using educational technology in their classrooms. Yes, I observed (with goosebumps and tears), educators harnessing the power of educational technology to achieve results, not just for the sake of using it. My role, purpose, and work was reaffirmed. While I personally no longer get to see the magic of learning on a daily basis since I am not in the classroom, this visit confirmed that my position did have value and impact. The technology was simply part of the learning, as it should be.
While visiting the awesome classroom of techEteens** (led by the ever-energized +techEteacher, Cary), the technician Ty, turned to me and thanked me. For him, that day gave him a perspective that went beyond laptop repairs and work orders. He realized the ultimate importance of his work and how technology integration in academics, when done right, could be an incredible learning experience for students. It reminded me of the GE Stories and how powerful it can be to see the true impact of your work. I was thrilled when Ty shared that realization so early in the tour, and it made me think back to the desire my former manager +Robin Krizay expressed for each worker in our organization to take a day and see what everyone else had to do on a daily basis. Experiences like that give employees insight about the organization's synergy, demands, and relationships. The day affected Ty, and I encouraged him to tout that experience so his coworkers could benefit from the same observations.
The Lake Havasu group raved about the visit. Ty made immediate connections. However, one of the most incredible outcomes was that we were able to showcase the wonderful happenings taking place on a regular basis inside classrooms -- from elementary to middle school to special education to the migrant program. With negative instances making the news, being able to draw attention away from those assumptions is critical. Teachers need to become master marketers, but with endless responsibilities, who has the time? Many educators humbly reply that they are simply doing nothing out of the norm, not recognizing that the magic is the norm in their rooms. Many would be impressed with the ease at which Melissa's kindergarteners retrieved laptops, opened software, and collaborated in groups even more efficiently than many adults! However, Melissa did not think it was amazing as those were simply the expectations in the classroom. Jarrod was fresh off his win as teacher of the year and brushed off the accolades. I am fortunate that I have the time to coordinate such events and blog about them -- my teachers' own publicist in action.
Great power lies in venturing and exploring. Great power also lies in opening your doors for that exploration. Principal Drysdale of G.W. Carver Elementary School was eager to welcome us and allow her teachers to shine. She beamed with pride as Carol (who said we were welcome any time) discussed the focus and patience her special educations students had when the Promethean board was in use. Thomas, who has never refused an impromptu visit, never misses a beat when visitors watch his kindergarteners use the Promethean board, student response systems, and iPods. By the way, Jarrod was not the school's only teacher of the year, as Carver also has two other category-specific winning teachers. We wrapped up our day in the fourth Carver classroom where Rudy was able to show the academic progress his students made in his 5th grade mashup of all things worth using in the world of educational technology applications!
We must practice in our professional lives what we promote in our classrooms: get to know one another, collaborate, share and celebrate successes, ask questions, get out of the comfort zone, cooperate, engage, have new experiences, and never stop learning. Your travels can merely be down the hall or across town. How will you challenge yourself travel down a near, and not-too-distant highway?
**The techEteens will be presenting a Student Showcase at ISTE13 this year. Please help them achieve their travel goal. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated.
While visiting the awesome classroom of techEteens** (led by the ever-energized +techEteacher, Cary), the technician Ty, turned to me and thanked me. For him, that day gave him a perspective that went beyond laptop repairs and work orders. He realized the ultimate importance of his work and how technology integration in academics, when done right, could be an incredible learning experience for students. It reminded me of the GE Stories and how powerful it can be to see the true impact of your work. I was thrilled when Ty shared that realization so early in the tour, and it made me think back to the desire my former manager +Robin Krizay expressed for each worker in our organization to take a day and see what everyone else had to do on a daily basis. Experiences like that give employees insight about the organization's synergy, demands, and relationships. The day affected Ty, and I encouraged him to tout that experience so his coworkers could benefit from the same observations.
The Lake Havasu group raved about the visit. Ty made immediate connections. However, one of the most incredible outcomes was that we were able to showcase the wonderful happenings taking place on a regular basis inside classrooms -- from elementary to middle school to special education to the migrant program. With negative instances making the news, being able to draw attention away from those assumptions is critical. Teachers need to become master marketers, but with endless responsibilities, who has the time? Many educators humbly reply that they are simply doing nothing out of the norm, not recognizing that the magic is the norm in their rooms. Many would be impressed with the ease at which Melissa's kindergarteners retrieved laptops, opened software, and collaborated in groups even more efficiently than many adults! However, Melissa did not think it was amazing as those were simply the expectations in the classroom. Jarrod was fresh off his win as teacher of the year and brushed off the accolades. I am fortunate that I have the time to coordinate such events and blog about them -- my teachers' own publicist in action.
Great power lies in venturing and exploring. Great power also lies in opening your doors for that exploration. Principal Drysdale of G.W. Carver Elementary School was eager to welcome us and allow her teachers to shine. She beamed with pride as Carol (who said we were welcome any time) discussed the focus and patience her special educations students had when the Promethean board was in use. Thomas, who has never refused an impromptu visit, never misses a beat when visitors watch his kindergarteners use the Promethean board, student response systems, and iPods. By the way, Jarrod was not the school's only teacher of the year, as Carver also has two other category-specific winning teachers. We wrapped up our day in the fourth Carver classroom where Rudy was able to show the academic progress his students made in his 5th grade mashup of all things worth using in the world of educational technology applications!
We must practice in our professional lives what we promote in our classrooms: get to know one another, collaborate, share and celebrate successes, ask questions, get out of the comfort zone, cooperate, engage, have new experiences, and never stop learning. Your travels can merely be down the hall or across town. How will you challenge yourself travel down a near, and not-too-distant highway?
**The techEteens will be presenting a Student Showcase at ISTE13 this year. Please help them achieve their travel goal. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated.
