Teacher Leader... ME?

How can I encourage my professional colleagues to engage in ongoing development in terms of technology integration? Well, I can lead a professional development session teaching staff how to use the new math adoption! That's just what I did last week!

I am not good in front of people -- sure a class of 30 kids, no problem... but a room full of teachers??? No thanks! But, I really love this new math adoption and all the technology that comes with it! I am all about working smarter, not harder and this math kit is just the solution for a busy teacher who doesn't have a lot of time. The visual learning animations are the perfect springboard to guiding the lessons any teacher needs -- If only they would learn how to use it.

So, I was asked to lead the PD for the week and teach the teachers how to add multiple grade levels to their accounts so they could access supplemental materials; add a student roster with student id's/ passwords so students can access the site from home; and use the visual learning animations to springboard lessons. The PD session was not long enough... there were so many questions and I really felt the frustrations of the teachers who are technology immigrants... it took them forever to just get to the site!

What I learned from this experience was that I really am not afraid of teaching teachers... I'm quite good at it. I lack confidence in myself, but when I am committed to something and feel that they will learn something -- the benefit (staff development ) is by far outweighed by the cost (my discomfort).

I have since been included in school emails that go out to the technology people only (I am not on that team.) and hope to provide useful information in response. I truly want to help people see the good things that technology can do for them if they just open themselves up to learning something new.

Tools that I have learned in this course??? I have started a wiki with my small group and really love the ease of use! It sure has cleaned out my inbox from the flood of emails telling who's bringing what meal to the next location! I have also learned to love the blog. This is a great way to journal my progress through the learning I am experiencing. I have learned the value of a newsletter. I always thought of them as fluff and never took the time to create one. It was always easier to slap a note on a piece of FWCS letterhead and call it good. I have learned that parents love the newsletters -- and honestly, they feel good to send home. The intrinsic value of a job well done is priceless.

My hope is that teachers will see the ways that I am utilizing technology and see my enthusiasm for it and want to catch it! So far, it's working! :O)