DLL Journey at Lamar University

All About Me

I have been a classroom teacher for 14 years. I have taught pre-k, kindergarten, and second grade.

I hold a Texas Educator Certificate, Generalist EC-4 and an ESL (English as a Second Language) EC-4.

I have a Google Certified Level 1 certificate, Microsoft Innovative Educator, and also an Apple Certified Teacher. I am a Certified Campus Technology Specialist by TCEA (Texas Computer Educator Association). As of February 2020, I will have a Master's degree in Digital Learning and Leading from Lamar University.

Being a life-long learner and learning new things is part of my life's mission. In my spare time I enjoy attending as much professional development as possible. My favorite type of PD is centered around using technology in the classroom.

My Learning Philosophy

Growth Mindset, COVA, Learning Manifesto, and PLN

I learned about having a fixed mindset and a growth mindset (Dweck, 2006). I always strive to maintain a positive outlook on professional and personal opportunities. Exploring something new called COVA (choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning) was a challenge, but I accepted it and moved onward. During this process, students were given the opportunity to be an active part of the learning process and able to share our own opinions and thoughts about our learning. With all this in mind, I generated my own Learning Manifesto. Networking is an important part of the educational system. I have added some Professional Learning Networks to my ePortfolio.

Einstein quote, Pinterest, received from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/515802963549539578/?lp=true

COVA, CSLE, and Learning Philosophy

Using COVA and CSLE does align with my learning philosophy. I have incorporated it as much as possible when possible and with what would be allowed within the pre-k classroom. The students are only four years old, so they need structure. This is the first time they have been to school and need a limited amount of choices. I believe it is important to create an exciting, encouraging, and positive learning environment at all times for all my students of various backgrounds. I want to make the educational experience, school, a fun adventure for my students in order for them to enjoy learning and attending school each day.

My perspective of learning has broadened. I see endless possibilities and believe anything is possible. Education is an amazing endeavor, and I truly can do anything I set my mind to do. As a lifelong learner myself, I continuously seek out knowledge by attending conferences, workshops, and educational classes to help develop my skills as an educator. I am enthusiastic and open minded to learning new things. I consider the students to be little teachers in their own way. They have taught me how to be a better teacher, coach, and mentor.

Disruptive Innovation Plan

I composed a proposal letter to the technology department about an innovation project. My topic was starting an e-Portfolio in pre-k, rather than waiting for third grade when students are to create a Google Site as part of one of their required technology projects. The students will be using their 21st century skills while they take ownership of their work so their true personalities will begin to surface.

Next, I completed a literature review which has research to support using ePortfolios and its benefits, as well as using the growth mindset and COVA approach in the classroom. In this day and time, the world of technology is continuously moving, growing, and changing. Information is readily available at all times with the internet and a click of a few buttons.

Lastly, I created an implementation outline of the disruptive innovation plan to incorporate ePortfolios in the lower grades. This plan will help build a foundation of technology skills and be an extension of the current technology requirements students will fulfill in third grade. This plan includes a pilot program as well as a multi-step implementation plan for the future.

The video is a "Call to Action" video about ePortfolios in the classroom. It was created using Google Slides, all videos and photos taken by me with a Samsung Galaxy S7 phone, Smart Recorder App used for voice overs, inserted and edited with iMovie, completed in the Houston area.

For more information regarding innovative education and ePortfolios, this is an annotated bibliography of additional resources.

Influencing Change in Others and Making a Difference

In the process of implementing my disruptive innovation plan and using my call to action video. I want to make some changes in pre-k to help students build a foundation in the way they use technology to enhance their learning. I want the students to take pride and ownership of their own learning as well as learn from their learning.

The Influencer Model is an important tool when making changes and wanting to influence people to do something new.

First, I decided what my results would be during this change. My goal is for students to use an ePortfolio as a foundational learning tool to showcase their creativity, explore opportunities, and find their educational voice. The next step was to create three vital behaviors that would help us reach our goal. Next, I needed a way to measure what we are doing in the class and help us fix any issues that may occur. Lastly, I had to consider who would be the influencers.

The infographic details the vital behaviors needed in order for us to reach the desired results in our pre-k classroom with energetic four year olds.

Influence and change go together like peanut butter and jelly. They are both good, but together they are better.

I used the six sources of influence to help influence my team. I am targeting motivation and ability in three specific areas: personal, social, and structural. I am using different approaches to the different areas to help increase the chances of success.