Your Ideas Deserve a Bigger Stage
Photo courtesy of Robin Henson, ©2012
I was raised to believe that, 'If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.' So when I heard in the fall of 2009, "Let's go for the ISTE Seal of Alignment" needless to say I was scared, yet very excited to become the project lead. The two and half year journey from inception to receiving the Seal of Alignment taught me a lot about what teacher's expect for professional development. In fact after getting being award the Seal in January 2012, the process of writing and development started again, this time redefining of how the content was delivered.
Yet, that is where I am going. Here is where I have been. I am a graduate of Bemidji State University with a degree in Psychology and minor in International Studies. Yet my education didn't stop there. I decided to become a teacher and enrolled in Hamline University's MAT program. I got a license in 5-12 Social Studies and K-8 Keyboarding for Computer Applications, along with my Master's degree. Then a few years later a colleague asked me if I would be interested in joining an administration cohort with the University of St. Thomas and would get my Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in the process. Never one to miss a challenge I signed up and got my K-12 Principal license and in the summer of 2013 received my District Superintendent license.
I started teaching in 2005 the goal of my position was to develop a technology program that focused on developing teacher skills, fully-integrating 21st century concepts, and bridging the digital divide by increasing technology access. I worked extremely collaboratively with the school principal and together we developed a very high quality technology program focused on not only developing students with college and career ready skills, also worked to increase teacher skills.
In the fall of 2008, I joined Osseo Area School’s as a District Technology Integration Specialist. My current day-to-day work has me managing the district's 7,500 student and 1,500 staff iPads and developing system and site staff development around Google Apps for Education, Schoology, and iPad Apps. I also have extensive experience in project management and I have been responsible for launching blogs for teachers, a Google Apps for Education domain for Osseo’s 21,000 students, and the district's application to become an approved online learning provider through the State of Minnesota.
My passions include teaching about digital citizenship, bullying, ostracism, and young educator success. I have presented at Minnesota TIES, at an ISTE Technology in Practice Webinar, throughout the Osseo community, at the ISTE Leadership Forum in 2012, ISTE 2013 and 2014, and at schools both regionally and nationally.
In 2010, I was inducted into the inaugural class of ISTE Emerging Leaders and was a finalist for the Outstanding Young Educator of the Year Award. I have become passionate about supporting young educators in the classroom. I have been diligently working with other Emerging Leaders to create opportunities to create connections with each other. We have annually presented since 2011 a webinar aimed at ISTE newcomers and provided networking opportunities for other teachers at ISTE's annual conference.
If that did not seem like I was busy enough, I still competitively speedskate the marathon distance. I am proud to be able to call myself a 5-time US National champion and 2009 North American champion.
Yet, that is where I am going. Here is where I have been. I am a graduate of Bemidji State University with a degree in Psychology and minor in International Studies. Yet my education didn't stop there. I decided to become a teacher and enrolled in Hamline University's MAT program. I got a license in 5-12 Social Studies and K-8 Keyboarding for Computer Applications, along with my Master's degree. Then a few years later a colleague asked me if I would be interested in joining an administration cohort with the University of St. Thomas and would get my Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in the process. Never one to miss a challenge I signed up and got my K-12 Principal license and in the summer of 2013 received my District Superintendent license.
I started teaching in 2005 the goal of my position was to develop a technology program that focused on developing teacher skills, fully-integrating 21st century concepts, and bridging the digital divide by increasing technology access. I worked extremely collaboratively with the school principal and together we developed a very high quality technology program focused on not only developing students with college and career ready skills, also worked to increase teacher skills.
In the fall of 2008, I joined Osseo Area School’s as a District Technology Integration Specialist. My current day-to-day work has me managing the district's 7,500 student and 1,500 staff iPads and developing system and site staff development around Google Apps for Education, Schoology, and iPad Apps. I also have extensive experience in project management and I have been responsible for launching blogs for teachers, a Google Apps for Education domain for Osseo’s 21,000 students, and the district's application to become an approved online learning provider through the State of Minnesota.
My passions include teaching about digital citizenship, bullying, ostracism, and young educator success. I have presented at Minnesota TIES, at an ISTE Technology in Practice Webinar, throughout the Osseo community, at the ISTE Leadership Forum in 2012, ISTE 2013 and 2014, and at schools both regionally and nationally.
In 2010, I was inducted into the inaugural class of ISTE Emerging Leaders and was a finalist for the Outstanding Young Educator of the Year Award. I have become passionate about supporting young educators in the classroom. I have been diligently working with other Emerging Leaders to create opportunities to create connections with each other. We have annually presented since 2011 a webinar aimed at ISTE newcomers and provided networking opportunities for other teachers at ISTE's annual conference.
If that did not seem like I was busy enough, I still competitively speedskate the marathon distance. I am proud to be able to call myself a 5-time US National champion and 2009 North American champion.
