Pulling out my road map
written by Abbie Gentile
"Your goals are your road maps that show you what is possible for your life."_Les brown
As I near the end of my journey as a Masters student at Michigan State University, I think back at what I have accomplished that got me to this point. Two years ago before applying, I struggled with the use of a document camera and how to incorporate technology into my lessons. This struggle, and desire to “do better for my students in our technology-driven society,” pushed me to apply to the MAET program. I wanted to, “extend my learning into the classroom by implementing my lessons from a technological perspective in order to differentiate my instruction.” As I neared the start of my courses, I was afraid of not being creative enough in the program. I was afraid of not finding a classroom to demonstrate my skills in since I was laid off from my first teaching position two months after applying to the program. (Fortunately, with my determination and persistence, I landed a new job in a new district). I was afraid that my stress level would go up and I would not be able to handle the demands of the program along with finding a new job.
To my surprise, the program did not increase my stress, but actually made everything fall into place. The program aligned with what I was doing in the classroom and enabled me to become closer at reaching my goals. I was not spending nights doing busy work just to get by like I had imagined, but rather I was spending time coming up with ways to better reach my students and their vast array of learning styles. Which was, and always will be, my ultimate goal when it comes to my professional life.
After rereading the goals that I made for myself in the spring of 2011 when applying to the MAET program, I realize that my goals are goals in progress. Furthermore, one of my goals was to “better utilize the technology in my classroom to better differentiate my instruction.” One could say that I have accomplished this, but knowing the endless possibilities that technology provides, especially with Web 2.0 resources, I know that I can do more.
Although I have the feeling of, “What next?” as I approach the end of the program, I also feel a great sense of relief. With the program ending, I will have more time to explore new technologies on my own and use these technologies, as fit, in my daily teaching. I have made a lot of progress, but I do not feel like my goals are completely fulfilled. After all, technology is ever changing so my goals remain.
To my surprise, the program did not increase my stress, but actually made everything fall into place. The program aligned with what I was doing in the classroom and enabled me to become closer at reaching my goals. I was not spending nights doing busy work just to get by like I had imagined, but rather I was spending time coming up with ways to better reach my students and their vast array of learning styles. Which was, and always will be, my ultimate goal when it comes to my professional life.
After rereading the goals that I made for myself in the spring of 2011 when applying to the MAET program, I realize that my goals are goals in progress. Furthermore, one of my goals was to “better utilize the technology in my classroom to better differentiate my instruction.” One could say that I have accomplished this, but knowing the endless possibilities that technology provides, especially with Web 2.0 resources, I know that I can do more.
Although I have the feeling of, “What next?” as I approach the end of the program, I also feel a great sense of relief. With the program ending, I will have more time to explore new technologies on my own and use these technologies, as fit, in my daily teaching. I have made a lot of progress, but I do not feel like my goals are completely fulfilled. After all, technology is ever changing so my goals remain.