ABOUT ME Page
Reflections on My Journey My journey through the Innovative Learning program with Touro University has been transforming. Before the opportunity presented itself with Napa Learns, I had never seriously considered obtaining my master’s degree. I didn’t think I needed or wanted it, but here I am having completed my courses and feeling eternally grateful for all of the knowledge that has made me a better teacher this year, and a mindset which will be with me for the rest of my career. The biggest change that has occured in me this year, is a simple realization. I am a leader. This program has given me so much more confidence in myself as a teacher and a professional. I feel good about what I am doing in my classroom, and I feel capable of sharing that with others. I also learned how easy it is to access the innovative ideas of other educators around the world- and seeing them give TED talks, write articles and blogs, participate in Twitter chats, speak at conferences, create tutorial videos, publish books and articles, and so much more has inspired me. It has made me realize that my ideas have the potential to be powerful, and that I actually have the ability to influence changes in education in both big and small ways. Obtaining this degree alongside my newfound knowledge, passion and confidence will also enhance these opportunities for me. I am confident that this program has transformed me into more of a leader in the realm of education than a follower. I have many ideas to share with my fellow teachers, and many avenues through which to do this. I have learned, and continue to learn a lot about how to be the best teacher I can be. I am feeling equipped to be a lifelong learner in this ever changing career. Lasting Learnings One of the main takeaways I have from this program is that our student's futures are largely unpredictable. It has been touched on repeatedly in my learning this year- by authors, speakers, writers, professors and teachers- how the rapidly accelerating pace of change in technology and development of information and ideas is putting us in a context of teaching students for a future that we have no understanding of. This has reminded me to focus on 21st century skills more in my classroom, because the students are going to need to have strategies in their pockets rather than specific skills. We as teachers are never going to be experts in the ever changing and developing field we have selected, and our students will likely be in the same position regardless of the career field they choose. We need to train them to be the creators of the new content, the authors, artists, leaders and activists that the future needs. This program has introduced me to a number of technology tools that I can use in my classroom today to encourage those strategies in my students, but has also given me a forward thinking mindset as a teacher. I know that the specific tools I used in this program will help me in the classroom today, but the program has also prepared me for the unknown of what is coming up in education. Instead of dreading change like many veteran educators of today do, I anticipate it. I am ready to learn about the tech tools that will be coming out in the next 5 years. I will not know how to use them all, but I promise to try them in my classroom with an open mind. TPACK Developing an understanding of TPACK through this program has helped me to implement new technology tools into my classroom. This enhanced my student’s goal setting experiences and my ability to conduct meaningful research surrounding it. Using technology in the classroom in conjunction with pedagogy and content is the only way to use technology effectively in the classroom. Without pedagogy and content, technology has little to no purpose in the classroom. When the three are used in conjunction with each other, teachers can create lasting learning and inspire students to be their best. Overall, what I’m hoping to share with the world of education after completing this program, is that innovating involves taking risks. We have to try out lots of new things, and keep only what works for our particular students with our content and curriculum. This means each year, innovating in the classroom may look different, not to say that we throw out what is tried and true, but to say that we can always find a way to make our teaching better- more interesting, more current, and more applicable.
1 Comment
Amanda Olson
6/24/2018 10:01:56 pm
I love that one of the realizations you took away from the program is that you are a leader. When you stated this, it completely rang true to me as well. This program has given me so much drive to continuously research and implement innovative technology, and pedagogy in my classroom, as well as, a sense of freedom stemming from viewing failure as success. Through this I have found confidence and a desire to become a leader in order to spread the knowledge and confidence that I have gained to my fellow coworkers. This program has been very empowering and I am extremely grateful for everything it has taught me, and for the supportive cohort members that I now consider my friends.
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AuthorKayla Bryant is an elementary school teacher in Napa, CA. This year she teaches a 2/3 combo class. She keeps a journal with funny quotes from her students, and enjoys learning and laughing alongside them. Some of her main educational interests are related to goal setting, growth mindset, and creativity. Archives
July 2018
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