I am always amazed by how much I enjoy classes that I was initially dreading. As I logged into Owl Express to sign up for my spring courses, I was filled with apprehension about Educational Leadership. I feared that I would be forced to speak in front of my school, which is filled with well-educated, veteran teachers. What could they possible learn from a twenty something at the beginning of her career? However, Dr. Fuller was a very welcoming and supportive professor, which made those fears ebb away. From the beginning of the course, I enjoyed having clear expectations and working on practical assignments.
During the first few assignments, I gained a new perspective on technology in McCleskey Middle School. I was constantly stating that we did not have the time, money, or student population to utilize technology the way ISTE envisions. The SWOT Analysis and Action/Evaluation plans changed my opinions on this. Once I sat down and truly examined what needed to change, I realized the only thing our school needs is time. Although we do not have enough technology to have each subject area using technology daily, we have enough to make a start.
As I move forward in my teaching career, I really aspire to take some of the methodologies I learned in this class with me. Instead of just explaining what needs to change, I would like to analyze why it needs to change and then identify practical ways to change it. I see this class as a huge asset to me as a teacher because it not only taught me something new, but changed the way I approach problems and issues in the school building.
During the first few assignments, I gained a new perspective on technology in McCleskey Middle School. I was constantly stating that we did not have the time, money, or student population to utilize technology the way ISTE envisions. The SWOT Analysis and Action/Evaluation plans changed my opinions on this. Once I sat down and truly examined what needed to change, I realized the only thing our school needs is time. Although we do not have enough technology to have each subject area using technology daily, we have enough to make a start.
As I move forward in my teaching career, I really aspire to take some of the methodologies I learned in this class with me. Instead of just explaining what needs to change, I would like to analyze why it needs to change and then identify practical ways to change it. I see this class as a huge asset to me as a teacher because it not only taught me something new, but changed the way I approach problems and issues in the school building.