Career+&+Leadership+Goals

[|Career and Leadership Goals]
In February 2009, I began my master’s coursework in the Educational Technology Leadership degree from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. Actually, my dream began months earlier after not being considered for a faculty position that I truly desired because I lacked having a master’s degree. Knowing that I desired a full time position working with technology, I began my search for degree programs that would allow me to continue working full time, not put me in deep debt and not having to travel long distances each week. I also realized that receiving my bachelor’s degree in Applied Technology from the University of Texas at Brownsville in 2008, an online program fit well with my lifestyle so I preferred another program available online. Our campus, where I am currently employed, sponsored a College and Career Day at our local community college so I decided to run over during the last twenty minutes of the event and see if I could find anything of interest. I was starting to get annoyed because most of the colleges being represented catered to bachelor programs, or they did not offer anything in the technology area. As I was starting to leave, I almost walked right into the Lamar table. Being a little embarrassed, I continued with my entrance line….”do you have any masters programs available -- 100% online?” the representative said that she did. I was excited and then asked her if they had anything in technology. Again, she replied that they did and gave me information and contact names. I really don’t think I actually heard anything….I just knew that I would be able to work toward getting a masters, and hopefully, realize my future goals. Within an hour, I learned about the Academic Partnership program, the degrees offered and the cost of the program. It did not take long to decide that this is the program that I had been looking for, and best of all, it would not cost me a fortune.

After spending the last 18-months studying and working with other students who are in the K-12 area, I have learned so much, especially from the discussion board assignments that I did not know was required of a teacher. Sometimes, I had to work ten times as hard to understand even the smallest concepts because I do not have that responsibility in my current position. I love my current positions, and serve as the Sr. Lab Instructor and also as an Adjunct faculty for the Computer Information Systems for the past thirteen years, but one day would like to become full time faculty on my campus, or find a position in the K-12 area as a Technology Facilitator. I love teaching and working with technology even though I returned to college as a non-traditional student to learn how to use a computer. I still remember, and thank my first instructor for her kindness and patience because I was the only one who could not even turn on a computer. As a digital immigrant, I feel as though I have come far in learning how to use and how to apply technology in a learning environment, and always get excited and welcome new technology. Discovery Second Life, especially when I did not have much time in my first life, was especially interesting. In fact, just last week, I gave a presentation to our Faculty Technology Institute, which included our campus Emerging Technology Committee and danced with my boss. I also showed them many of the sites that are available to help our students in several of our current programs. Overall, the faculty seemed to be impressed, but in working with technology, I could see that it may not be an option at this time for a few of them.

In the past few months, I was considered for a new computer lab position in our local intermediate school. I found that several people had suggested me and was asked what it would take to “lure” me away from my current position. Of course, I am very interested in the position, but I know that if I accept, that it will be very hard leaving my current students and coworkers. I feel that as long as I am teaching and using technology, students ages (adult to intermediate school age) may change, but my love of teaching and continuing to help students learn will always be the same. As a technology leader, I hope to accomplish many things including being able to use and model 21 st century, researched-based technologies in the classroom and curriculum. I also desire to mentor teachers on my campus and in my district, provide technical assistance for teachers in planning for and implementing student centered learning environments. I want to be able to help teachers provide a meaningful, enthusiastic, as well as an engaging learning environment and will be able to address the needs of all learners. I think that it is important to improve the learning environment and infrastructure, promote equal access for all students and help teach and address the social, ethical and legal aspects of technology in our classrooms. As a leader, I think it is also important to associate with and continually learn about technology and what is available in the future.

Some of the educational needs that underlie my motivation to work in educational technology leadership is that not all students have access to, or skills working with technology. I see the importance of using technology in student’s futures and want to help others to understand its importance in the education, personal and professional lives. All students do not learn the same way, and my vision is to be able to incorporate as much technology as needed, and as in as many ways as needed, to help them become successful.

My personal needs in motivation include wanting to pursue my goal of being a Technology Leader in my current position, or in my local school district in being able to assist or in choosing new and innovative technology for our students and future learning environments.I want to be able to help those students who already understand technology as well as those who are uncomfortable. I feel that a good teacher embraces and acknowledges technology and can easily adapt to the changes in educational environment. I want to be a leader in that environment and be able to help change the futures of our classroom challenges.