Here's to new adventures in the blogging world. Blogging terrifies me, but I was recently inspired to share and connect more online. Why? Because I should. And, because educators that I admire and respect regularly blog and encouraged me to. How can I expect my students to take risks if I don't face my own fears and take huge risks? Time to walk the walk and face my fears of putting myself out there to share my experiences and things I create. I was reminded by my mentor, Sylvia Duckworth, that what might be obvious to me, might be amazing to others (from the book "Anything You Want" by Derek Sivers -- see video below).
A little bit about who I am and how I got to where I am today.
I teach 7th and 8th grade history at a public middle school in Southern California. I have always loved the idea of integrating technology in my classroom but struggled for many years at how. Where would I get the funding? Who would support my crazy ideas? What do I do once I get access to technology? In the spring of 2015, I was able to receive 20 Chromebooks through DonorsChoose. This was a game changer and truly opened my eyes to the possibilities of integrating technology in my class.
At the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, my principal offered my department the opportunity to pilot a 1:1 blended learning environment with Chromebooks in the classroom at my school since we were so successful with the Chromebooks we received the prior year through grants. Without any hesitation, my department all agreed to dive into the world of blended learning and I was proud to lead the way with my obsession with all things EdTech. It certainly had its ups and downs and many challenges along the way. We had no idea where to even begin, but through many trials (and many errors), we survived year one of blended learning.
In November, I attended my first GAFE Summit in Temecula, CA. This GAFE Summit was such an incredible experience for me as each presenter inspired me and filled my brain with so many ideas for what was possible in the classroom. I quickly followed them on Twitter to build my PLN and in hopes of continuing to learn from them. I was so new to the EdTech world and was so inspired to continue learning. What I soon realized was that all of these amazing educators were Google Certified Teachers. What was that? Can I one day be a Google Certified Teacher? I need this.
I spent December researching the Google Certification process and learned that the Google Certified Teacher program was changing to the Google Certified Innovator program with applications being accepted until January! I didn't have much to lose, so I dedicated my weekends working on my application and studying to pass the Level 1 and Level 2 Certification exams. The process was much more challenging than I expected, but it allowed me to really refine and focus on what I was passionate about -- closing the digital divide between teachers and students and empowering students to be leaders with technology.
I was accepted into the Google Certified Innovator program in January and attended the Google for Education Innovation Academy in Mountain View, CA in February. I quickly realized that I was a tiny little fish in a giant ocean when I met my cohort. These were all well-established Google Certified Trainers, presenters, TOSAs, and experienced technology educators. Was I a mistake? I felt major imposter syndrome being surrounded by incredible educators that have already done amazing things in the EdTech world. What could I possibly offer to this superstar group?
This was when my coach, Sandra Chow, began asking me questions to help me clarify my thoughts to guide me towards my passion and what would be my innovation project. I kept hitting walls and telling Sandra, "...but I'm just a teacher," thinking that my impact was not going to be as large as everyone else's project. Sandra quickly snapped me out of it and told me, "You are not just a teacher. You're a teacher! You have the most direct impact on students and have the greatest effect." *lightbulb* It was at the moment that I realized, that everything that I achieved and worked towards was because of my role as a teacher and that my passion stems from being in the classroom and the effect I can have on my students and my school.
I am now working on my Google Innovation project with my partner, Scott Padway, emphasizing student voice in hopes of promoting student advocacy and leadership in technology. I helped create my school's first Student Tech Team this past spring and hope to grow our student tech leaders at my school and maybe even the district. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be selected as a Google Certified Innovator and although I had my doubts, someone somewhere saw something in me -- perhaps, a fresh new perspective (see link at end of blog). What I gained was more than just strategies and tech tips, I gained a tribe. My tribe inspires me more than I could have ever imagined and I finally feel like there are others out there like me and they will continue to support me on my journey as an educator embracing technology and wanting to make a difference in education.
And here I am, creating this blog to hopefully share my experiences and challenges, reflect on the positives and negatives, and share resources that I create along the way. Here's to being not just a teacher, but being a creator, an innovator, and hopefully, inspiration to others.
For anyone else out there that may also feel like an imposter, here is a great read on how to overcome that feeling. "Consider it your opportunity to learn from your missteps and to bring forth a new perspective that others may not have." -- Andy Molinsky
A little bit about who I am and how I got to where I am today.
I teach 7th and 8th grade history at a public middle school in Southern California. I have always loved the idea of integrating technology in my classroom but struggled for many years at how. Where would I get the funding? Who would support my crazy ideas? What do I do once I get access to technology? In the spring of 2015, I was able to receive 20 Chromebooks through DonorsChoose. This was a game changer and truly opened my eyes to the possibilities of integrating technology in my class.
At the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, my principal offered my department the opportunity to pilot a 1:1 blended learning environment with Chromebooks in the classroom at my school since we were so successful with the Chromebooks we received the prior year through grants. Without any hesitation, my department all agreed to dive into the world of blended learning and I was proud to lead the way with my obsession with all things EdTech. It certainly had its ups and downs and many challenges along the way. We had no idea where to even begin, but through many trials (and many errors), we survived year one of blended learning.
In November, I attended my first GAFE Summit in Temecula, CA. This GAFE Summit was such an incredible experience for me as each presenter inspired me and filled my brain with so many ideas for what was possible in the classroom. I quickly followed them on Twitter to build my PLN and in hopes of continuing to learn from them. I was so new to the EdTech world and was so inspired to continue learning. What I soon realized was that all of these amazing educators were Google Certified Teachers. What was that? Can I one day be a Google Certified Teacher? I need this.
I spent December researching the Google Certification process and learned that the Google Certified Teacher program was changing to the Google Certified Innovator program with applications being accepted until January! I didn't have much to lose, so I dedicated my weekends working on my application and studying to pass the Level 1 and Level 2 Certification exams. The process was much more challenging than I expected, but it allowed me to really refine and focus on what I was passionate about -- closing the digital divide between teachers and students and empowering students to be leaders with technology.
I was accepted into the Google Certified Innovator program in January and attended the Google for Education Innovation Academy in Mountain View, CA in February. I quickly realized that I was a tiny little fish in a giant ocean when I met my cohort. These were all well-established Google Certified Trainers, presenters, TOSAs, and experienced technology educators. Was I a mistake? I felt major imposter syndrome being surrounded by incredible educators that have already done amazing things in the EdTech world. What could I possibly offer to this superstar group?
This was when my coach, Sandra Chow, began asking me questions to help me clarify my thoughts to guide me towards my passion and what would be my innovation project. I kept hitting walls and telling Sandra, "...but I'm just a teacher," thinking that my impact was not going to be as large as everyone else's project. Sandra quickly snapped me out of it and told me, "You are not just a teacher. You're a teacher! You have the most direct impact on students and have the greatest effect." *lightbulb* It was at the moment that I realized, that everything that I achieved and worked towards was because of my role as a teacher and that my passion stems from being in the classroom and the effect I can have on my students and my school.
I am now working on my Google Innovation project with my partner, Scott Padway, emphasizing student voice in hopes of promoting student advocacy and leadership in technology. I helped create my school's first Student Tech Team this past spring and hope to grow our student tech leaders at my school and maybe even the district. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be selected as a Google Certified Innovator and although I had my doubts, someone somewhere saw something in me -- perhaps, a fresh new perspective (see link at end of blog). What I gained was more than just strategies and tech tips, I gained a tribe. My tribe inspires me more than I could have ever imagined and I finally feel like there are others out there like me and they will continue to support me on my journey as an educator embracing technology and wanting to make a difference in education.
 |
| #GoogleEI #MTV16 #tribe Image Credit: Mark Hammons |
For anyone else out there that may also feel like an imposter, here is a great read on how to overcome that feeling. "Consider it your opportunity to learn from your missteps and to bring forth a new perspective that others may not have." -- Andy Molinsky
HI Stacy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful start to your blog. You write so well and I feel like I know you even better after reading it. I think it's really interesting that you brought up The Imposter Syndrome. That is EXACTLY how I felt when I was in the GTAMTV12 cohort. "What am I doing here among these brilliant people?!!" was a very frequent thought. Do you know Tracy Poelzer? She is a fellow Canadian who was in my cohort and she will be a keynote speaker at the OC GAFESummit with you! And guess what her topic is?!!! The Imposter Syndrome!! You guys are just destined to meet! With much admiration, Sylvia
Kismet! I cannot wait to meet Tracy. I now feel that this journey of mine was meant to be. Thank you for your continuous support, Sylvia! :)
DeleteGreat post! Love reading your journey and thanks for including me as part of it. I can totally relate with the imposter syndrome and was going to ask you about Tracy Poelzer too! Haha. But your amazing mentor Sylvia Duckworth beat me to the punch. Keep posting! Look forward to reading.
ReplyDeleteSandra, that moment you told me those words have truly changed how I view myself as an educator. I love how you understand and always empower the classroom teacher. I am so lucky to have you as a coach! I can't wait to meet Tracy at the OC Summit. I am inspired by so many amazing Canadian educators!
Delete