A First Post - A new Beginning
Before I start blogging about my journey through the Educational Technology Masters program and my own adventures through Instructional Technology Integration, I thought it might be worthwhile to talk about my journey to getting here and then some of my goals.
Looking back at my journey, I know that when I graduated from Ohio State in 2004, I would not have ever thought I would be where I am now. I had it all planned, I was going to get a job working for some major company and then work my way up to be a CIO. Fourteen years later, I laugh at those thoughts and smile as I think about where I am now.
Since 2004, I have worked almost solely in IT, starting as a phone tech support agent for an Internet Service Provider, then as an IT Director for a non-profit health center where I learned the bulk of my skills. It was there where I gained my love of working for non-profits. I really felt that I was not only able to use my technology skills but I was also helping people. After a successful 7 years there, I found myself unemployed and had to find something, so I ended up working for a small remodeling firm in the Madison, WI area. The two years I worked there were great, they helped me get my feet under me after losing the health center job. However, in working there I did realize that my place was in some sort of non-profit role.
Fast forward to March 2015. That month, I started work at the School District of Random Lake as one of two IT Directors. The district had decided to hire two people and have us run the department together. The first 2 years were just a lot of getting the technology and our 1:1 program working at full capacity. Then at the end of that 2nd year, my co-worker left and in talking with the Superintendent we decided a change needed to be made. We decided to change my position to the District Technology Coordinator and my focus was going to move from fixing the Technology to helping teachers use the technology better. So more of a Tech Coordinator, Tech Integrator, and Tech Coach rolled into one. I was excited about that, but there was one problem. I had no idea how to do that.
So started a year of research and trying to find Professional Development for that title, all the while continuing to provide the Technology to the staff, supervising my new assistant and also start a student help desk. And by some luck, I went to a TEACH run training where I met with a Technology Coach from Kiel who had gone through this program at Marian University that gave a Masters Degree in Educational Technology and so here we are.
Finally, now to talk about my goals for this program. My goals for this program are two-fold:
Looking back at my journey, I know that when I graduated from Ohio State in 2004, I would not have ever thought I would be where I am now. I had it all planned, I was going to get a job working for some major company and then work my way up to be a CIO. Fourteen years later, I laugh at those thoughts and smile as I think about where I am now.
Since 2004, I have worked almost solely in IT, starting as a phone tech support agent for an Internet Service Provider, then as an IT Director for a non-profit health center where I learned the bulk of my skills. It was there where I gained my love of working for non-profits. I really felt that I was not only able to use my technology skills but I was also helping people. After a successful 7 years there, I found myself unemployed and had to find something, so I ended up working for a small remodeling firm in the Madison, WI area. The two years I worked there were great, they helped me get my feet under me after losing the health center job. However, in working there I did realize that my place was in some sort of non-profit role.
Fast forward to March 2015. That month, I started work at the School District of Random Lake as one of two IT Directors. The district had decided to hire two people and have us run the department together. The first 2 years were just a lot of getting the technology and our 1:1 program working at full capacity. Then at the end of that 2nd year, my co-worker left and in talking with the Superintendent we decided a change needed to be made. We decided to change my position to the District Technology Coordinator and my focus was going to move from fixing the Technology to helping teachers use the technology better. So more of a Tech Coordinator, Tech Integrator, and Tech Coach rolled into one. I was excited about that, but there was one problem. I had no idea how to do that.
So started a year of research and trying to find Professional Development for that title, all the while continuing to provide the Technology to the staff, supervising my new assistant and also start a student help desk. And by some luck, I went to a TEACH run training where I met with a Technology Coach from Kiel who had gone through this program at Marian University that gave a Masters Degree in Educational Technology and so here we are.
Finally, now to talk about my goals for this program. My goals for this program are two-fold:
- Gain the knowledge about the Educational side of Technology so I can help my teachers
- Gain the confidence in talking about Educational Technology to teachers
I know that the second will build on the first, but I know what I don't know and so I am trying to correct some of those issues.
Thanks for starting the journey with me. I hope it's going to be a fun ride.
Welcome to the world of ed tech! It is definitely a fun ride!
ReplyDeleteIt is so important, I think, to have individuals who have worked outside of education to come into the education world to work! It gives a different perspective! And....O-H.... I love about 12 miles from THE Ohio State University!!
ReplyDeleteYou know the funny thing is, I was at a conference and talked to a few Tech Coaches and they all said I would have problems with being a Tech Coach because I wasn't coming from an Educational background.
DeleteAnd... I-O!
My daughter is not in IT, but she adores working for non-profits. She currently works for United Cerebral Palsy, and before that she, worked for the Leukemia and lymphoma Society. I have great admiration for people who care more about making and impact and difference than making a buck! Welcome to the education world!
ReplyDelete