Reflecting for the Future Teacher
By Nicole Campbell
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As I think about what it means to be life long learner, I must also think about what that means for my future in teaching. I have learned a great deal as a graduate student in the Michigan State University Master’s in Education program but I know I am not finished learning. In the next 10 years, I have several goals I would like to accomplish. I hope to complete a certification in Technology Education and further my professional education, participate and lead more Professional Development, become a Technology Curriculum Coach, and help develop a Technology Support System for Special Needs students in the general education classroom.
The first goal is to complete a certification in Technology Education. I want to expand my knowledge and understanding of different kinds of technology and how to use them in both general and special education classrooms. As one of my concentrations in my Master’s program was Technology Education, I feel this would be the next logical step in my educational path. I hope to receive this certification through Michigan State University in the next 5 years. After that, I hope to look into a possible Educational Doctorate in Technology Education. At this point, I am not sure what program or degree I might pursue but possibly something combining Autism Spectrum Disorder and Technology.
My second goal is to continue to participate in and lead Professional Development in and beyond my district. The Professional Development I hope to participate in or lead will be classes that focus on merging online education to help support and extend both academics and social communication in elementary classrooms. I want to continue to find ways to use technology in a cooperative and Collaborative learning environment and use it to help parents to become more involved in their students education. I plan to use what I have learned at MSU as well as what I will continue to learn to provide training for the teachers in my building, district, and online community.I want to help them begin or continue to use technology and new medias to help every student in their classroom be successful.
My third goal is eventually to become an instructional Technology Curriculum Coach in a district for grades k-5. In this role, I hope to support teachers and staff in using a variety of technologies and online supports for intervention, support, and extension for all Common Core State Standards. I hope to help teachers who may be nervous about trying new things become confident in introducing these programs( social medias, etc) to their students, managing them in the classroom, teaching students with them, and encouraging their students to find new ways to use them for their own learning. In this role, I would also support teachers using technology on a daily basis by researching methods, platforms, and upgrades to advance the use of technology in their classrooms. My hope would be to make their job easier and more productive with hopefully less prep time and better results.
My final goal is develop a management and teaching system that uses technology to help support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD), Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Childhood mood Disorders (CMD) in the general education classroom. In today’s classroom, every teacher has at least 2-3 students with the above disorders and due to limited funding, special education and other supports are becoming less and less available every year. I would like to develop an online community and research based website to help students obtain more tools for their “professional toolbox” to help these students be successful in the classroom and beyond. I have a passion for using technology to reach these students in ways that “traditional education” has not been able to. I believe with more training and experience, I can begin to work with other teachers to develop resources and create a community of teachers who are passionate about continuing to evolve the 21st classroom into one that supports every student’s individual needs using technology and kinesthetic supports.
Over the next few years, I hope I can begin or accomplish these goals as I continue to be a lifetime learner and growing professional teacher. However, I am open to whatever opportunities arise and I am excited about the changes that may come my way in the future.
Photos Citation:
1.
http://mswaughsclass.blogspot.com/2011/06/paradox-of-21st-century-education.html
2. http://www.etrainingpedia.com/technology-gaining-foothold-in-special-education/
1.
http://mswaughsclass.blogspot.com/2011/06/paradox-of-21st-century-education.html
2. http://www.etrainingpedia.com/technology-gaining-foothold-in-special-education/