When I first decided to become a teacher, it was because I wanted to share knowledge. I had learned things and felt an overwhelming urge to pass those things on to others. So, in 2004, I graduated from the University of North Alabama with a degree in secondary education. I started teaching that fall and began the journey that has led me to where I am today.
Those first few years were spent learning the ins-and-outs of the profession and my teaching was limited to the students in my classroom. A few years back, though, I began sharing with other educators, leading professional development and presenting at educational technology conferences. Why should I let my teaching stop at my classroom door when there are educators out there with a thirst for knowledge? For that matter, why let it stop in a building at all? I took my teaching online, starting this blog, joined professional communities online, began social bookmarking, and created a Twitter account to share what I've learned.
Now, a new opportunity has arisen. On Thursday, July 28, I was appointed the Instructional Technology Support Specialist for Cullman County Schools. I find that my emotions are mixed. On one hand, I don't want to leave my classroom, because there's no greater reward as an educator than that moment when you can tell that a student just got it or those times when it's obvious that you've just made learning fun. On the other hand, as I teach other teachers and show them tools they can take into their classrooms, I have an opportunity to reach more students than I could have ever dreamed possible.
All in all I'm excited. Excited about teaching teachers, new and experienced. Excited about the chance to reach the students of Cullman County in a new way. Excited about another chance glean more knowledge and share it in turn. As an educator, I will never stop learning, and I will never stop teaching, no matter the venue.
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