Aspirations

Every teacher wants to come straight out of college and change the world. Save every kid! I know I did. I was mortified at some of the teaching strategies I saw during my observations. I was going to be a fantastic teacher. None of this hum-drum for me. Enter real world scenario....my first year teaching was probably better than most. I unexpectedly took a job in a school system about 45 minutes from home. The school was prepared for new teachers and had developed a very effective mentor support system. I absolutely loved my first year but involved little to no technology. I just wasn't into it yet. My second year was pretty good too. Good routines, well behaved kids...no spark. By my third year, I moved to my current job in my hometown school system. Different grade level, different philosophies, still no spark. I felt like I was a good teacher. My kids were engaged and behaved. Wasn't that what it was all about? After being in my current school for two years, the school technology coordinator took a job at the central office. She asked if I'd be interested in taking over her responsibilities at the school. Interested, yes. Terrified, definitely. She seemed to know everything about computers..and these were Macs! I was a PC person. I spent all of about 4 hours "training" with her that summer. To make a long story short, it is now three years later and I have developed a sometimes unhealthy obsession with computers (Macs especially) and what Web 2.0 can do for my student. Finally, the spark. This year, I have arrived at a different point in my life. I have developed a PLN, small but effective as of today. I love the idea of gaining from other educators, but feel extremely guilty that I'm taking and not giving back. This blog, however insignificant, is my attempt to give something back. Some of what we are doing, some of what I have found and hope that I learn a little more in the process, too.