MeganR

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Sunday September 29, 2013 Like I said in my ice-breaker, this is my 22nd year of teaching. I started in 1992 as a 6th-8th Grade Chapter One Math Teacher, then moved to 6th grade science and reading. After four years in Saco, ME, I accepted an 8th grade science, reading, and social studies position in Yarmouth, ME. After several years, the language arts classes absorbed the reading component and left me with just science and social studies. For one year, I even taught a math class instead of social studies. As long as it isn't language arts, I'm pretty comfortable with our 8th grade curriculum.

Maine has a 1:1 laptop program that I embrace wholeheartedly! I have taken our district's summer technology course so many times, our Superintendent isn't letting me take it any more (I still don't understand that decision). In 2007, my cohort in crime (the science and social studies teacher on the other 8th grade team) and I won runner-up for ACTEM's (Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine) Technology Integrator of the Year Award. We were especially excited since the two winners and the other runner-up were all Technology Integrators; we were the only classroom teachers.

In addition to teaching science and social studies, I am the MLTI (Maine Learning Technology Initiative) liaison for our building as well as our Technology Lead Learner (a district-wide program where teachers help other teachers learn technology and how to implement it into their classrooms). Currently, I am also working on my Master's in Technology Integration. After this course, I have one more and then my internship before I'm certified. I have a Master's in Ed. Leadership, so several of the required courses were waived leaving me with several electives before I complete the actual Master's program. I think I'm fulfilling the first chapter of my career aspirations and that I'll stay in the classroom for another three years. Afterwards, I'd really like to see where the technology takes me. I love teaching kids, but I also see how some teachers avoid using technology because of their inexperience. Somehow, I'd love to figure out how I can assist teachers in the classroom and with their curriculum instead of just being a goto person when something isn't working.

I definitely think technology integration goes beyond the classroom, isn't that the definition of global citizenship and stewards of the world? I think that technology allows us to educate our students without the confines of the classroom walls. Technology integration facilitates our teaching because we can illustrate "why this material is so important" with clear, specific examples. Unfortunately, I think technology drives society...and that our laws and education can't kept up with how quickly it changes. Social networking is a great example. The educational and social purposes are fuzzy, because its abuse makes us leery of using it in our classrooms. I know that we must also teach digital citizenship and responsible use, but there is only so much teachers can do. Society needs to support and model the logical and ethical use of these tools. Parents must participate in their child's education in regards to technology, just as they should in showing them how to drive a car, or treat other people.