Career Goals and Aspirations
My teaching journey has taken me many places in the past two years and I am excited to see where my career takes me as I continue to learn in my profession and network with others with the same aspirations. My colleagues and Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) from Michigan State University has been an integral part of this journey and has changed my perceptions and goals that I have for the future.
When applying for the opportunity to be accepted into the MAET program, I had some hefty professional goals. During my first year of teaching, my biggest role model within my school was our District Technology Specialist (DTS) and I aspired to be in that position that she held. She has taught me an unimaginable amount of information which has changed how I teach in the classroom. I wanted to research different apps or programs that would benefit teachers or students. I wanted to get innovative with technology and push out projects to other teachers that may not feel as comfortable with technology but they ultimately know that technology projects benefits students. I wanted to be this person.
As my teaching journey has progressed this past year, continuing my coursework in the MAET program, and utilizing technology through this pandemic, my goals have changed. I no longer want to leave my students and become a resource. I want to be a technology resource directly to my students but also a resource to my colleagues. As this year has gone by, I have had ongoing conversations with our DTS about how she isn’t in the classrooms (virtual or in-person) as much as I would like if I would take on that role. I would miss working with and learning from my students of all ages.
Instead of aspiring to be a DTS, I would to continue to grow as a general education classroom teacher where I can still research apps or programs that can benefit all. I can still get innovative with technology and projects while I take my own students on that journey where we can reflect together and learn from one another. I can still collaborate with my colleagues about technology, it just might be at a different level. I have learned an unimaginable amount about Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) at MAET and I believe I can give students more quality lessons that incorporate technology in a meaningful way.
Many years from now, I would eventually like to become a Librarian and Media Specialist in a public school setting. My love of books, reading with students, and connecting with others through books will always outweigh my other love of technology. Being a Librarian, I will be able to incorporate my love of books and technology while working with students.
I cannot imagine my career being where it is without my family, friends, the MAET program at Michigan State University, and colleagues within my first years of teaching. I look forward to working towards these goals and becoming a better person and teacher in the process.