Welcome to my blog, "Thompson Tech Talks." This is a momentous post for me as it marks the completion of my first assignment for my first grad school class. I am eager to continue my education and start working towards my Technology Specialist Endorsement at Dominican University. This course will be very meaningful for me because learning about the best ways to use technology in education has pretty much become my job this school year.
Lifetime in Education
From the time I realized I wasn't athletic enough to be an NBA player (...5th grade), I was pretty set on becoming a teacher. My dad was a psychology teacher, my mom is a health/PE teacher, and my brother is an English teacher. I went to Illinois State University to become a math teacher, where I met my math teacher girlfriend and several lifelong friends that are all teachers. Education has and continues to be so ingrained in my life it's hard to imagine working in any other profession.
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| Source: Illinois State University Seal. Digital Image. ISU Graphic Standards. January, 2009. https://universitymarketing.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/standards/ISU_GraphicStandards.pdf |
After a year of long-term subbing with no intentions of teaching middle school, I was given my first full-time teaching job at Conrady Junior High in Hickory Hills, IL. I have spent the past five years there teaching 6th and 8th grade math, and it has been an awesome experience. My favorite part of working at Conrady is getting to teach students that have moved from countries all over the world. The school is also 1:1, with each student having their own Chromebook. This allowed me to do so much more in and out of my classroom to help my students learn math, and now I couldn't imagine teaching in a classroom without technology.
Source: Conrady Junior High Logo. Conrady Junior High Homepage.
https://www.npd117.net/Domain/8
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| Celebrating Khan Academy's "Learnstorm" |
Source: Conrady Junior High Logo. Conrady Junior High Homepage.
https://www.npd117.net/Domain/8
I was always eager to try out new websites and tech tools with my students. Our Technology Instruction Coordinator would have "Tech PLCs" throughout the year, and I would almost always attend to learn about any new tool I could possibly use in my classroom. My favorite sites to help students learn math are Khan Academy, Desmos and Geogebra. I know that extending my classroom with technology was the key factor in getting my students to show growth every year.
This school year I decided to apply for the Tech Instruction Coordinator opening at Conrady, and I got the job. The decision to leave the classroom was really hard for me, but I am excited to share my passion for finding ways to use technology to help students, and hopefully motivate teachers to do the same. I look forward to sharing what I've learned on this blog over the next nine weeks. Here's a link to a Google Site I've been working on to help train teachers at my school: Conrady Tech Resources.
This school year I decided to apply for the Tech Instruction Coordinator opening at Conrady, and I got the job. The decision to leave the classroom was really hard for me, but I am excited to share my passion for finding ways to use technology to help students, and hopefully motivate teachers to do the same. I look forward to sharing what I've learned on this blog over the next nine weeks. Here's a link to a Google Site I've been working on to help train teachers at my school: Conrady Tech Resources.
Hi Jake. Super excited to hear you accepted a coaching role! It can be great. Here's a post I just wrote about coaching: http://zumpanotechlab.blogspot.com/2018/08/water-flowers-not-rocks-tips-from-10.html Thanks for the great introduction. Looking forward to helping you get settled into graduate school!
ReplyDeleteHi Jake!! Congratulations on your new job. It sounds like you are in the right place to get the training needed to rise even higher in your endeavors. It sounds like you have led a legacy in your family and are going even beyond that legacy to newer things to further your passion to work in education, just in a new capacity. Best of luck on your new journey and I hope you continue to share the new things you learn from your role there as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Jake,
ReplyDeleteMy rival school! I went to Bradley University. That is awesome how many teachers you have in your family! It is really cool to read your dedication to learning and how you would like to integrate into your classrooms! I will definitely have to check Geogebra out! I am currently in the inclusion math class this year as a Special Education teacher for middle school students, specifically the Eighth grade. Thank you for sharing a great post!
Hi Jake! Leaving the classroom leaves so many mixed feelings that I share with you, as I left the classroom to entered into Library Information Systems. This field combines my love for reading as well as the Makerspace world. I also just accepted my first position in a new role this year, although I’ve had 2 years co-teaching experience. One thing I’ve learned is that I can take my new skills and help teachers enhance what they are already doing. I’m hoping you can do the same. Best of luck to you. I look forward to following your journey throughout this class. Feel free to follow me on Twitter. I have a large following of tech specialist.
ReplyDelete- Jennifer Calito