I am very interested in working in the educational setting. I currently teach fourth grade, however, I would like the opportunity to work outside of the regular classroom. Next school year, I may be able to become the technology teacher at my school. My role would be teaching students technology from kindergarten to fifth grade. I would also train staff how to integrate technology into their lessons. After reading our text, I realize that I may be called upon to help with school improvement. If I become the technology teacher, I will be a part of the school improvement team. This is a team of administrators, teachers, and staff. The purpose of this team is to make improvements within our school. If I am given this opportunity, I believe that it will help me to decide if this career is right for me.
Eventually, I may decide to work in other school settings such as high school or middle school. I have flirted with the idea of working at the county office, community college or university level. I enjoyed reading the chapter about the role of instructional designers in higher education. I found that reading about the professors’ responsibilities gave me a better perspective of their careers. The professors were honest in their responses and I found that information to be valuable.
I am interested in a wide range of careers. I know that if I have questions it is best to talk to someone who has had experience in a particular field. I want to talk to someone who is honest and will specify all that is involved in their career. I know that in whatever path I chose, I want to be involved in a fulfilling career.
6 comments:
You mention about learning from others that have traveled the road a head of you. My one piece of advice:
Having recently left the classroom to work as a tech facilitator--I find that I miss my students. But I also enjoy working more with adults. But there are some negatives with it--with some issues I feel so powerless to help. For right now, our county is experiencing some growing pains with technology and policies need to catch up to abilities. So, you know of ways to help the teacher but you can't. I never really experienced that frustration in the classroom. But overall--I absolutely love my new job!
I currently work at the high school level teaching the computer courses. I also would like to seek opportunities at the community college level (most major universities require a phD). I've had some friends who taught at both levels. They said that if you like the autonomy and creativity at the high school level, you will love it at the college level.
I have served as a parent/community member on a school improvement team for my sons' school and "IT or not IT" hit the nail on the head about growing pains and the school catching up to abilities. Many times I have seen the school administration require schools implement certain technologies, but nobody in the school new how to use them. There was a learning curve involved. The Smart Boards are a good example. Teachers are getting them installed in their classrooms but don't know what to do with them. I was visitng in a classroom where the teacher was still using her old timey roll up projector screen pulled down from the ceiling instead of the SmartBoard for an overhead projector. I can see a need for technology teachers in the school system to stay up-to-date with the technology.
You will love that job. It is very exciting to teach k-5 technology. The problem in our county is that because of funding the positions change from year to year. Teachers do not want to take the position because there is no guarantee that it will be there next year.
When i began these courses my goals were very similar to yours. As I continue to interact with people in this profession and read the text I often finding myself saying, "Hey that's cool, I want to do that." I just love that there are so many possibilities.
Do you think you will always stay in the school system?
I agree, career fulfillment is very important. I have my goals, but I also plan on keeping my options open.
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