I have to admit there are times I long to return to the classroom.\u00a0 Once upon at time I was a middle school science and math teacher.\u00a0 Over those 2 decades my curriculum hardly changed, in fact for 15 years (4 schools, on 3 continents) I taught with the same edition of a Prentice-Hall science series. Periodically I had to adjust the wording and format of the curriculum to reflect the edu-speak of the day – changing from aim, to objective, mastery objective – that sort of thing but essentially the content remained the same.\u00a0 I spent my time reflecting, refining and continuing to develop my craft.\u00a0 Because I was so familiar with the standards and content area, I worked on adapting it to the local environment and adding new tools, strategies and resources. I was not stagnate but could focus on practical effective change. I directed my attention toward my students and their needs. As a result I as a very different educator when I left the classroom then when I entered.<\/p>\n
Now I am tech integration specialist and nothing is ever the same. There are always new tools, software, hardware and so much information.\u00a0 I can not catch up, I can not truly reflect, It is never the same one year to the next. Don’t get me wrong I love my job and I love learning all these “techy” things but what was once a “want to” is becoming more a “have to.” I feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants and being more reactive then reflective and purposeful. Which makes me wonder if I am being effective?\u00a0 As a classroom teacher I knew if my students were making progress, now I am not sure if I am being successful.<\/p>\n
As a result I have thought about my classroom days and wonder knowing what I know now what kind of classroom teacher would I be?\u00a0\u00a0 At times I am jealous of the richness of the media, the resources available to support teaching and learning. I just want to dive in the classroom and put it into action.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have to admit there are times I long to return to the classroom.\u00a0 Once upon at time I was a middle school science and math teacher.\u00a0 Over those 2 decades my curriculum hardly changed, in fact for 15 years (4 schools, on 3 continents) I taught with the same edition of a Prentice-Hall science series. Periodically I had to adjust the wording and format of the curriculum to reflect the edu-speak of the day – changing from aim, to…<\/p>\n