The Teacher-TechER Role

It's been forty-eight hours since I officially became an instructional technology specialist on paper. Life as I have known it for the last decade is changing. Or...so I thought. Ya know, teaching children has it's benefits. One large advantage is they are children. You can't change that and being a science teacher, I understand their is always one variable that won't change.

Teaching adults isn't the same. The benefit I'm keeping in front of me is that exposing educators to what the world of digital technology has to offer allows them to prepare their students as well as expand their classrooms BEYOND the four walls. This was my goal while I was a classroom teacher and I hope some of my students will never forget that experience.

Today, as an educator and Tech integrationist (I like the term as I just made that up) I am realizing more and more that buy-in from the educators I worked side-by-side with just 48 hours ago isn't the same as it once was. The words coming out of my mouth explaining that "when I was a teacher" isn't as warm and fuzzy as "today in class I did..."  My role as this tech coach, specialist, integrationist is going begin with rebuilding relationships and gaining trust (from everyone, including administration). I went to graduate school to learn how to seamlessly blend digital technology into my classroom curriculum and my enthusiasm for such is what I truthfully pray will "INFECT" others and cause them to catch the bug that has begun this roller coaster ride of: Mrs. Glass, the Instructional Technology Specialist.

I'm going to use this blog to express my thoughts, hopes, dreams and inspirations for this first year in this new school, role and position. 

How do I feel today? I see the glass as half full. I see the bright side of life and I'm feeling excited to share everything that has been shared with me.

Until the next time I share (which I know will be tomorrow) :)