Full Steam Ahead . . .
Projective Essay
June 2012
The end is near. More specifically, the end of my journey in obtaining my Master’s degree in Educational Technology. Now that this is insight, I know it is time to decide what will be next in my learning endeavors. Where exactly will I take this degree I will have under my name for accomplishments and furthering education? For the sole purpose of a degree is to implement it, correct? A teacher does not simply spend the time and money on a degree to supplement their income…. I hope not. Will I remain stationary in my current career position and simply use my new skills? Shall I seek out more and make a change in my role as an educator? How will I keep myself up-to-date with technology so that my skills grow and flourish?
These are thoughts and questions that have restlessly wandered my brain for a while now. Of course I want to fulfill my original goal when I began the MAET program, which was to incorporate technology into classroom teaching in order to influence my students and myself for the better in learning. But in addition, I also wish to go further. I have never been one to be satisfied with routine. Once I’ve practiced and succeed in an area, I’m ready to attempt something else. With that thought in mind, over the last six months or so, I have spent some time thinking about how I will use this degree once I have completed the program. Through this thought process, I have also found myself reevaluating my place in education.
I love being a classroom teacher, especially at the middle school level. I truly feel that I have found my niche and nothing makes me feel more satisfied and proud to be a teacher, then when I witness first hand my students’ acquirement of knowledge. It is quite rewarding to see a change for the better in students’ educational careers over the course of a year in my classroom. To know that you, the educator, had a key role in that change, makes one feel like they have value and significance in another’s life. Unfortunately, along with these positive attributes to teaching is some negativity that can be so strong that it becomes demeaning and overpowering to the positive. Upon putting those pessimisms aside for so long, and one finds that they have only progressed for the worse, a decision must be made.
I know there are opportunities available to educators with this degree. For example, instructional technology; working with teachers and educational staff. I would have the opportunity to share my technology knowledge and skills with colleagues in the field. However, I do not feel I could give up teaching students. Therefore, what opportunity with this degree would enable me to teach students and apply my acquired technology skills to the fullest? Virtual school. Through the MAET program I found that I LOVE playing and experimenting with technology in effort to “spice up” my lessons. I become a sugar-deprived child in a candy shop. The excitement is overwhelmingly delicious and satisfying when I am able to try that “technology candy” with my students. I have found that it is the best sugar high that I can achieve. Now I know that I can still do this in the classroom, but not to the fullest. Virtual school would allow me to play, experiment, and become overload with technology sugar everyday.
In addition to virtual school opening the door to using many if not all of my learned technology skills, it would also enable me to stay current with technology changes or advancements. An unpracticed skill often results in forgetfulness. This is something that I do not want to happen to me. Therefore, knowing my tendencies, which can often be procrastination when it comes to practice, it is essential that I put myself in a role that will keep me fluent. If I remain in my current role as a classroom teacher, I would have to seek out prospects to continue my learning in technology. Sometimes, but not often, there are classes available on professional development days in my district. However, I have often found that they focus around areas that I am already familiar with. These classes would be convenient “refresher” courses if necessary. The position I would prefer to find myself in is one that would not only able me to exercise the skills that I already inhabit, but also be exposed to an array of new ones. This would surely be possible in the virtual school position. With this opportunity, it is important that when technology alters and shifts, the online educator remains at the modern stage. Training would be an aspect that is a large part of the virtual school setting.
Now that my new goal is in mind, what lies ahead of me to achieve it? As I have found over the past few months through investigation with virtual school, it is difficult to become part of their team. One must live local, at least in state, to work for particular online schools. Also, similar to the typical school environment, one must qualify for any openings. This includes being highly qualified, have classroom teaching experience by several years, and of course technology experience and education. Unfortunately, this upcoming school year, I found that I did not meet all those requirements. This does not mean my goal dies. I will continue traveling “Full Steam Ahead” in my technology and educational learning journey until I can successfully make a stop at this new goal’s station.
~Kimberly Holaday
These are thoughts and questions that have restlessly wandered my brain for a while now. Of course I want to fulfill my original goal when I began the MAET program, which was to incorporate technology into classroom teaching in order to influence my students and myself for the better in learning. But in addition, I also wish to go further. I have never been one to be satisfied with routine. Once I’ve practiced and succeed in an area, I’m ready to attempt something else. With that thought in mind, over the last six months or so, I have spent some time thinking about how I will use this degree once I have completed the program. Through this thought process, I have also found myself reevaluating my place in education.
I love being a classroom teacher, especially at the middle school level. I truly feel that I have found my niche and nothing makes me feel more satisfied and proud to be a teacher, then when I witness first hand my students’ acquirement of knowledge. It is quite rewarding to see a change for the better in students’ educational careers over the course of a year in my classroom. To know that you, the educator, had a key role in that change, makes one feel like they have value and significance in another’s life. Unfortunately, along with these positive attributes to teaching is some negativity that can be so strong that it becomes demeaning and overpowering to the positive. Upon putting those pessimisms aside for so long, and one finds that they have only progressed for the worse, a decision must be made.
I know there are opportunities available to educators with this degree. For example, instructional technology; working with teachers and educational staff. I would have the opportunity to share my technology knowledge and skills with colleagues in the field. However, I do not feel I could give up teaching students. Therefore, what opportunity with this degree would enable me to teach students and apply my acquired technology skills to the fullest? Virtual school. Through the MAET program I found that I LOVE playing and experimenting with technology in effort to “spice up” my lessons. I become a sugar-deprived child in a candy shop. The excitement is overwhelmingly delicious and satisfying when I am able to try that “technology candy” with my students. I have found that it is the best sugar high that I can achieve. Now I know that I can still do this in the classroom, but not to the fullest. Virtual school would allow me to play, experiment, and become overload with technology sugar everyday.
In addition to virtual school opening the door to using many if not all of my learned technology skills, it would also enable me to stay current with technology changes or advancements. An unpracticed skill often results in forgetfulness. This is something that I do not want to happen to me. Therefore, knowing my tendencies, which can often be procrastination when it comes to practice, it is essential that I put myself in a role that will keep me fluent. If I remain in my current role as a classroom teacher, I would have to seek out prospects to continue my learning in technology. Sometimes, but not often, there are classes available on professional development days in my district. However, I have often found that they focus around areas that I am already familiar with. These classes would be convenient “refresher” courses if necessary. The position I would prefer to find myself in is one that would not only able me to exercise the skills that I already inhabit, but also be exposed to an array of new ones. This would surely be possible in the virtual school position. With this opportunity, it is important that when technology alters and shifts, the online educator remains at the modern stage. Training would be an aspect that is a large part of the virtual school setting.
Now that my new goal is in mind, what lies ahead of me to achieve it? As I have found over the past few months through investigation with virtual school, it is difficult to become part of their team. One must live local, at least in state, to work for particular online schools. Also, similar to the typical school environment, one must qualify for any openings. This includes being highly qualified, have classroom teaching experience by several years, and of course technology experience and education. Unfortunately, this upcoming school year, I found that I did not meet all those requirements. This does not mean my goal dies. I will continue traveling “Full Steam Ahead” in my technology and educational learning journey until I can successfully make a stop at this new goal’s station.
~Kimberly Holaday