While I originally entered the educational field hoping to influence students as an English teacher, my understanding of and passion towards the impact of technology on the learning process inspired me to continue my studies to become a Media Specialist and ultimately led me to NJCU’s Ed. D. in Educational Technology Leadership program. Now, I am eager to continue my journey by being an active leader in the educational technology field.

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     Courville (2011) suggests that this role as an educational technology leader is “not to be taken lightly, and must be fulfilled by individuals who not only understand and enact effective principles of leadership, but also have a working knowledge of technology and its classroom use” (P.4). I believe that I possess both of these qualities. As a middle school teacher for over 20 years and soon-to-be graduate of NJCU’s doctorate program, I have had the opportunity to cultivate my knowledge and experience with educational technology in many different settings. Through my roles as team leader, professional development presenter, student council advisor and member of various academic committees, I have been able to develop effective leadership skills. In fact, in recognition of my leadership, educational and humanitarian efforts, I was honored as teacher of the year at Timberlane Middle School (TMS) in 2014 and received the NJ Governor’s Teacher/Educational Services Professional Recognition award. Similarly, in 2015, I was recognized as the New Jersey State Educator of the Year by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Jersey. Most recently, I have been honored as a 2018 Axalta All-Pro Teacher by Axalta Coating Systems and The Philadelphia Eagles.  I look forward to applying these attributes as an inspiring educational technology leader who can help prepare and motivate teachers to utilize technology in educationally innovative ways. 

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     I see myself as a transformational leader; a role model who presents a clear vision for the organization and empowers others to reach that goal, while focusing on emotions, values, ethics, standards, and long-term goals (Norton, 2013). Having worked as a teacher, I understand the frustrations that come with trying to integrate new technology into the curriculum and plan on using this perspective to give teachers the skills, support and tools they need in order to succeed. As a lifelong learner who is passionate about educational technology, I will continue to educate myself on new innovations and applications that are available and analyze ways to utilize this technology to provide the best educational experience for the students while meeting the institutional goals.

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     Unafraid of experimenting with new technologies that will enhance students' educational experiences, I look forward to using my leadership skills gleaned from running large group activities to assist in the implementation and expansion of these new technologies.  I am particularly interested in helping to incorporate the use of drones in problem-based activities to provide engaging, real-world applications of this budding technology, preparing students for their 21st century careers.  Working with teachers to craft these lessons, I will use my experience as a classroom teacher as well as my innovative vision to create effective professional development focused on using drones in an educational environment. Gonzales (2016) suggests that, “Educators who are honing skills around visioning, ongoing and differentiated professional development, anytime learning, and risk taking are well on their way to effective technology leadership” (p.32). Having these attributes, my goal is to obtain an educational technology leadership position in a K-12 district to help educate and motivate teachers to use technology in innovative ways.  

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Benchmarks for My Professional Growth Plan

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I have met the following goals in 2017-2018:​​

• Procured funding for the purchase of a DJI Phantom 4 Drone and created lessons which utilize the drone in 7th grade math and science classes. 

• Participated in the following presentations at professional conferences:​

  • Create, Innovate, and Re-imagine the World with Robotics: A demonstration on the   transformation of teaching and learning with robotics and drones

               L. Ziegler  - Lead Speaker

               B. McCarty - Application of  Cublets in the Middle School

        Rutgers University

        New Brunswick, NJ; August 2017​​​

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• Innovate and Re-Imagine Education with Robotics and Drones:

               Practical Application of Drones in the Middle School

        NJCU Graduate Programs Webinar, April 2018

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• Fly High! Using Drones in Problem-Based Activities to Address Abstract Concepts

               ISTE 

               Chicago, Illinois,  June 2018

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• Continued to facilitate formal and informal teacher training to support technology integration 

• Met with architects, vendors, PLC, teachers and administrators to finalize design of the new TMS media center/makerspace, construction to begin Summer 2019

• Volunteered as a CODiE judge for the "Best Reading/Writing/Literature Instructional Solution" category

• Served as Judge for Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) Region 1C competition 2018 for Computer Science Category

• Served as a member of the Culturally Responsive Teaching Committee charged with developing a vision for culturally responsive curriculum and tools to evaluate the current practices and resources at Timberlane Middle School 

• Procured and organized Google AR pilot for science and art classes

• Created a STEAM after-school enrichment class utilizing littlebits, ozobots, and 3D printing to practice coding and solve engineering challenges

• Honored as a 2018 Axalta All-Pro Teacher by Axalta Coating Systems and The Philadelphia Eagles

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2018-2019

• Expanded the use of drones through integration in all grades at Timberlane Middle School

• Implemented three sections of an after-school drone club at Timberlane Middle School

• Continued to facilitate formal and informal teacher training to support technology integration

• Promoted and expanded instruction in new makerspace environment 

• Participated in the following presentations at professional conferences:​

  • Breakthrough Technology of 2019

Panel with Zieger, L, Evans, T., Bahna, S.,

Cotter, K., Vandalovsky, E.

New Jersey Association of School Librarians

Long Branch, NJ, December, 2018

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• Escape the Library: How to Create Educational Escape Rooms

with Lampert, L., Cotter, K.,

New Jersey Association of School Librarians

Long Branch, NJ, December, 2018

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• Using Drones in Problem Based Activities

PETE & C

Hershey, PA, February, 2019

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• Stepping Up Your Game with SAMR

with D.J. Koch, C. Munn ​

PETE & C

Hershey, PA, February, 2019

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• Topics in Educational Technology:

A Continuum of Technology Integration from K - Professional

with with D.J. Koch, C. Munn

Online Webinar, April 2019

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• Shifts in Higher Education

for College Presidents from Heibei Province, China

with Shamburg, C., Bahna, S.

New Jersey City University, June, 2019

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• Literacy Unbound: Whole-Class Strategies that Help Struggling Readers​

with Shamburg, C., Findura, J.

NJCIE Summer Inclusion Conference

Berkeley Heighhts, NJ, June 2019

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• Presented formal professional development for HVRSD

• Volunteered as a CODiE judge for the "Best Formative Student Assessment Solution" category

• Met with architects, vendors, PLC, teachers and administrators to finalize design of the new TMS media center/makerspace, construction to begin Summer 2019

• Continued to serve as a member of the Culturally Responsive Teaching Committee charged with developing a vision for culturally responsive curriculum and tools to evaluate the current practices and resources at Timberlane Middle School 

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2019-2020

• Expand the use of drones through integration in at least two additional classes at TMS

• Obtain a UAS Remote Pilot License

• Expand the after-school drone club at Timberlane Middle School

• Publish an article in a professional journal like Science Scope

• Continue to promote and expand instruction in the TMS makerspace environment

• Continue to present at professional conferences

• Present formal professional development for HVRSD

• Defend dissertation and graduate with an Ed.D. in Educational Technology Leadership from NJCU

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References

 

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Courville, K. (2011). Educational Technology: Effective Leadership and Current Initiatives.

     Presented at Louisiana Computer Using Educator's Conference 2011.

 

Gonzales, L. (2016). Four tips for effective digital leadership. Tech & Learning,  37(4), 32-33.

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Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks:  SAGE.  

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