I’m so excited! It’s official. Next month I am going back to working with kids and teachers, as an Engaged Learning Specialist at the middle school level!
I love the fact that my new job title places the focus on Engaged Learning, and that it is a multi-faceted position. I’ll be working with students in a computer lab part of the time, so I’m delving into the brand-new NETS publication eagerly, looking for the changes and seeing how they align with my current thinking about digital citizenship. I’ll be working with teachers to integrate technology part of the time, so I will get to apply some of that new knowledge shared by friends who attended NECC this summer and do what I love most – collaborate and facilitate. I will also be making some changes to the media center, so I am very grateful to have the insights of so many colleagues in my online PLN who have been investigating and blogging this past year about the changing role of the library.
Best of all, my new superintendent and new principal “get it”… They have used the phrases “breaking down walls” and “getting in the way of students’ learning”. Not surprisingly, my superintendent shared with me the highlights of various conversations he’s had recently with Will Richardson, David Jakes and Meg Ormiston. How refreshing to speak to an administrator who doesn’t give me a blank look when I talk about who’s on my aggregator!
This announcement is so new that I haven’t even seen the spaces I’ll be working in next year, so it’s a little hard to “envision” at this point. I’m looking forward to meeting new friends, getting oriented to a new culture, and beginning this wonderful adventure. I’m sure that it won’t be long before my To Do List grows to immense proportions, and surpasses the length of my current list of questions… so I’m getting organized now! I’m looking at Moodle and nings and wikis, and investigating student blogs and podcasting tools…
What tools have been most beneficial to you in your quest to integrate technology? What suggestions do you have for me — things you wish you’d known when you started your last new position? What would you do with a brand new opportunity like this one?
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5 responses so far ↓
Well first off congratulations on the new job. It is going to be a fun, challenging and rewarding time for you. I really do not have any advice other than all of the web 2.0 tools should be utilized by your middle school students and the faculty that you are working with. As you move forward in your teaching and mentoring things will continually be changing. Remember with the faculty to work with the living
and not get too discouraged with faculty that is not as keen on technology. The students will be on board from the very beginning and it will be very exciting to watch them grow in their 21st century skills.
Again, congratulations and I hope to read more of your journey into this very exciting place.
http://hgpence.blogspot.com
Congrats. Looks you found something you will enjoy!
I. AM. SO. JEALOUS! How did you end up with my dream job?!? Just joking, but seriously, I’m so happy for you and would LOVE to have that job! Keep us posted, can’t wait to hear more about it!
Woot! Congratulations on your new position! I am also thrilled to have found your blog!!! As for tips… I am sure there is nothing I could tell you that you don’t already know. Even though we haven’t yet met face to face, I can tell through our communications that you are a very good listener and are willing to help anyone! So, just be yourself!!!
Sometimes I wonder how my teaching career might have been different had I been born ten years later! I’ve been retired for 4 years now, but all the good stuff in tech just keeps getting better & better. I guess that’s why I stay involved with ICE and don’t just go sailing off into the sunset. Besides, old teachers never really retire, we just lose our class.
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