Reflection of 2011

With the New Year right around the corner I must first take time to reflect on this year before I can make my resolutions for 2012.

The most exciting accomplishment was the completion of my Master’s Program.  Along with my Master’s Program I also completed my Reading Specialist classes.  So this truly was an exciting accomplishment both professionally and personally.

Another amazing adventure for me this year was the change in my career.  I was nervous in September when I left the classroom and became an Instructional Technology Coach (ITC).  It was a new position for me as well as our school so I did not know what to expect or where this position would take me.  Well, I have to say it has been a wonderful journey so far and I look forward to see what else occurs along the way. 

There is a long list of people that I need to thank for my wonderful journey, such as: my ITC partner, my fellow colleagues, the administrators, and the students.  My ITC partner has been a wonderful person to work with, she has taught me a lot of IT techniques and has been very support, especially through the rough days.  My colleagues have also been wonderful because they have been so terrific to open their classrooms and allow me to come in and co-teach with them on many incredible projects.  They also have been fantastic to spend time with me during their breaks to plan out new projects for their students.  My administrators have been a great support throughout this new adventure and their guidance has meant so much to me.  Finally, for the students who are so open to learn new things and have been great to work with.

This year has been fantastic and I am looking forward to 2012.

Reflecting...

When I started this year I was full of questions: Will I grow as a person in this job?  Will I be able to help my fellow colleagues grow in their own professional development?  Will I make a difference in my school?  Will I make an impact on the students (the way I use too)?  WOW!  All of these questions and how would I get all the answers?  Reflecting, that’s how!

So I am taking a little time and reflecting upon the first six weeks of school.  My first question … will I grow as a person?  Well, that definitely is an easy one to answer, YES!  I am growing everyday as a person and a leader.  Do I still have a lot of growing to do? MOST DEFINITELY!  But what I have learned so far about myself is that when you are good at something share it with the world and when you’re not ask for help, it’s okay!  Asking for help doesn’t make you any less of a leader, as a matter of fact; it probably makes you a better leader!

Will I be able to help my fellow colleagues grow in their own professional development?  I certainly hope that is what I am doing each and every day I walk into my school.  The other Instructional Technology Coach also is very helpful in this department as well.  There are times I am unsure of myself (which happens to all of us from time to time) and she has been there to reassure me and give me advice to help not only my colleagues but myself.

My impact on the school and the students is still a work in progress.  Have I seen students learning and collaborating on a project in which the teachers and I have collaborated? YES!  Is it wonderful? ABSOLUTELY!  But I can not wait to see what will happen next!

Don’t get me wrong, there are obstacles…There are times of self-doubt…There are even times that I ponder if I made the right decision to leave the classroom.  But then, a teacher or a student walks up to me and says “thanks” and I know that my decision was the perfect one!

Two Wonderful PD Summer Opportunities

      When you look at the Sunday paper this week there will be will ads for Back to School!  Where did the summer go?  How did we get to the end of July so quickly?  I cannot let any more time pass without talking about two wonderful professional development opportunities I had this summer.

      In June some of my colleagues and I attended ISTE (International Society for Technology In Education) for the first time.  WOW!  What an incredible experience. 

      Here is a list of the top 5 great things about ISTE:

1. Fabulous speakers such as Dr. Medina, author of Brain Rules
2. The wonderful presenters and their fabulous insights.
3.  A great vendor area with lots of free giveaways.
4. Listening to Alan November
5. Meeting fabulous people and growing my PLC!

     I am looking forward to my colleagues and I sharing this information with the rest of our faculty when we return to school.  You definitely don’t want to miss ISTE 2012.  For more information about ISTE go to http://www.iste.org/conference/ISTE-2012.aspx

As I mentioned in my first post I have a new position in my school as an Instructional Technology Coach, I am one of two coaches.  As coaches we attended the Understanding By Design (UbD) Train the Trainer Workshop just two weeks ago.  UbD is a framework to deepen student understanding through a “backwards design”.  Grant Wiggins was absolutely incredible and a true inspiration. This year we will be implementing UbD.  We already reflect upon our teaching strategies and how we impact our students, along with discussing the essential question of the lesson, so we are on our way of a successful UbD implementation.  For more information about UbD go to http://www.authenticeducation.org/index.lasso

This has been a wonderful summer of professional development.  I am really looking forward to the upcoming school year!

Welcome

Welcome to my blog!  My name is Christelle and I am on a journey as a Life-Long Learner.  Many educators are on the same journey as I am but I decided that I wanted the opportunity to share my journey with others. I would like to share books, thoughts, and experiences with everyone.


I have been traveling through this journey for seven years now.  However, the upcoming year is definitely a defining moment for me.  I am leaving the classroom and embarking on a new road.  I am becoming an Instructional Technology Coach and will be collaborating and co-teaching with my wonderful colleagues.


Enjoy your journey and I hope you enjoy mine!