My mother has always been a tremendous source of inspiration for me. Despite having two young children in first and fourth grade and working three part-time jobs, she decided to go back to college later in life. She managed to raise us, deliver the daily newspapers, work as a school secretary, and handle bookkeeping at my dad's workplace, all while being a college student. She never neglected her responsibilities, always helping me with my homework each night and she would always have dinner on the table. I didn’t think much of it at that time, but now as a parent and college student, I am enamored by her dedication. I remember as a child each summer we would visit the library and check out books. We even had a bookmobile that would come through our neighborhood where we would exchange our books for new ones. My mother always instilled in us a love for learning.
Thanks to her influence, I developed a strong belief in the importance of education (Just Keep Swimming: Learning is Forever!), and it was a given that I would pursue college after high school. In 2000, I proudly followed in her footsteps, becoming a second-generation educator. I taught Kindergarten for 17 years and thoroughly enjoyed integrating technology into my teaching methods. Being the go-to person for technology on campus, I thrived in that aspect of my career. However, after some time, I felt a lack of challenge and growth, yearning for a new purpose.
Unexpectedly, a fantastic opportunity presented itself, and I transitioned from teaching elementary students to high school students. Even though it was a different setting, it was still teaching, just with bigger bodies. Despite my ironic dislike for cooking, I taught culinary classes. Eventually, I seized the chance to take on a technology position, teaching business technology. And in May when my district offered me the dream role of an Instructional Technology Coach, I couldn't have been more excited.
To prepare for this new career change, I knew I needed to expand my knowledge of instructional technology. This realization led me to embark on a journey of Applied Digital Learning. Choosing this path turned out to be the best decision I've made toward my education. Throughout this process, I've formed meaningful connections (Collaborative Connections) and have made lasting friendships (Collaboration Group), while also challenging myself and gaining a fresh perspective on learning. These experiences have made me more empathetic towards my students and colleagues, as well as being more open-minded.
The two courses, 5303 and 5305, that I undertook have been pivotal in shaping my journey. Although my Innovation Plan was my biggest accomplishment thus far, creating my ePortfolio at the beginning of this ADL program has been particularly beneficial. It tapped into my creative and tech-savvy side. Blogging (My Blog Site) was initially difficult since I wasn't comfortable being vulnerable and sharing my thoughts with others to critique. Nevertheless, the ePortfolio (Embracing ePortfolios) course has offered the invaluable opportunity to capture my progress and projects over time, fostering growth and helping me become a better educator.
This pursuit of Applied Digital Learning and the creation of my ePortfolio have enriched my career and my outlook on education. I am grateful for the chance to document this journey, reflecting on my experiences and accomplishments to further develop as an educator.
As I pondered a suitable title, the song "Carry on My Wayward Son" inexplicably came to mind. Reflecting on Livgren's words, he described it as a song of self-encouragement, a reminder to persist in my search, as I will ultimately discover what I seek. (Benitez, 2023) These sentiments resonate with my feelings as I embark on my journey in the Applied Digital Learning Program. Hopefully, I’ll find peace when done.
References
Benitez, T. (2023, May 20). The Story Behind the Autobiographical Kansas Hit "Carry On Wayward Son". American Songwriter. Retrieved July 18, 2023, from https://americansongwriter.com/the-story- behind-the-autobiographical-kansas-hit-carry-on-wayward-son/
Photo: "Desert Road" by public domain image - Media from Wix
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