Leaving the classroom

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Permalink Reply by Cary Harrod on December 1, 2007 at 4:10pm

I am in a similar situation, Matt. Last year I split my day between my responsibilities as a gifted specialist in one of our elementary schools and leading a technology initiative for our district. I am now full time as an Instructional Technology Specialist. I am leading a second cadre of teachers, grades K-12, in an initiative that puts tablet pcs and projectors into their hands. We meet monthly f2f and weekly on our district Moodle site. I also organize other professional development opportunities for people in the district and work side by side with our district technology coordinator. I am really enjoying it but really miss the kids. Ultimately, I know the students are benefitting from my district role but nothing can beat the rewards felt when working directly with students. What are your responsibilities in your new role?

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Permalink Reply by Matt Clausen on December 1, 2007 at 7:40pm

When I started out as a part time ToSA, my chief responsibility was coordinating the Carl Perkins grant for the district. Now that it has become a full time gig, I'm adding instructional techology leadership, which is going to start with working with teachers, librarians, and principals on developing a district vision for what we want our schools and classrooms to look like from a tech integration standpoint. I'm hoping it will lead to initiatives like what you described. I will also be coordinating the creation of a district-wide academic recovery program targeting high school students who aren't successful their first time through core subject areas.

All really good, important work. Like you said, the students are benefiting, but Monday is going to be a tough day.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on December 2, 2007 at 5:52am

I learned a long time ago that change is not always bad---you'll do great and love it!

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Permalink Reply by Ricardo on December 28, 2007 at 10:20pm

Matt,

Hope your out of classroom experience is going well. I too had a similar opportunity. Last year I was dubbed "Technology/Project Teacher" for a 7-8 middle school. Unfortunately, I was used for more administrative busy work than actual technology integration. I mean, I was coordinating locker distribution -admin's rationale: there's software involved.

Now I'm off to the DO starting 2008 as a ToSA for Secondary Ed - ELA/Social Studies. "Leaving technology" is a set back. My I hope is to find ways of integrating tech at the new position.

Good luck,

-Ricardo

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