Reflections on an Unprecedented School Year

 I'm tired, y'all.

We (educators) always joke about how there's "regular person tired," and then there's "teacher tired" and the two are basically opposite ends of a spectrum. But those of us in education now--especially those of us who have anything to do with providing technology support or other instructional support--we now know that "teacher tired" wasn't the furthest extreme on that spectrum. It was more like the middle. We've figured out that beyond that is "remote teacher tired" and then even further is "teaching in the midst of a pandemic tired" and God help us if the spectrum goes further, because there are days when I just don't know how much more I have to give this career of mine.

I love my job. I love being an educator, and I love even more being someone who supports educators and helps usher them into a place of confidence with technology integration. I love that I can open a teacher's eyes to incredible tools that take their already amazing instruction to new heights of engagement. 

But that's not what my job looks like right now.

Right now, my job is primarily overseeing all of the devices we've received and checked out to our students. I am handling connectivity issues, creating accounts for new students, assembling carts for iPads and Chromebooks so our face-to-face teachers can store devices in their classrooms, submitting work orders for the inevitable student device repairs, taking calls from stressed-out parents who are just trying to do their best to support their children's learning during this time unlike anything we've ever experienced before...and then there's the stuff that is normally part of my job. Stuff like managing our school's website, collecting annual paperwork regarding photo permission, acceptable use policies, making sure teachers all have access to the resources we provide, managing my technology budget, somehow finding time to provide targeted professional development to my teachers, helping to figure out what Battle of the Books and LEGO League look like in the midst of a pandemic, and--oh, right--occasionally teaching a class or two.

Are you tired with me, yet? 

I am SO blessed to have an incredible assistant on board with me this year who is taking care of teaching my classes and planning awesome content for the kiddos. She also keeps me honest and helps me delegate things to her so that my plate isn't quite so full all of the time. 

But the truth of the matter is, in this unprecedented school year--in this unprecedented era (for folks of my generation, at least)--I am tired. I'm tired all the time. I'm doing what I can to try and get good sleep because LORD KNOWS this is a year where being healthy is so much more important than ever before. But I'm exhausted. Between balancing an ever-growing list of expectations (from folks who aren't the ones on the front lines with us), dealing with apathy/skepticism from folks who think the pandemic is overblown, and just trying to be a functional human person--I'm just so tired.

I'm definitely a realist, but I'm a realist who wants to be an optimist, so I have to believe this too shall pass. I have to believe that now is not what will always be, even if it's all I can see when I try to peek down the road and see what's coming. I have to believe that despite humanity showing us the worst of us over the last 8 months or so, the best of us are still out there. We're still striving to move forward in the hope that better days lie ahead--and together, we'll get there. 

In the meantime, I'm counting on the good in us and plenty of coffee to get me through.

An Introduction to Instructional Technology (and my job as an ITF)

When people talk about the term Instructional Technology, often people are left wondering what that is, exactly.  I'd like to break down my understanding of it, along with a brief explanation of my responsibilities as an Instructional Technology Facilitator (ITF).

Instructional technology literally refers to any device or technology service that is used for instructional reasons.  It's probably best explained by giving examples, so here are some of the instructional technology resources available to teachers at the elementary school where I work:

• SmartBoards/Projectors
• Document Cameras
• iPads
• iPod Touches
• Laptops (Apple and Dell)
• Desktop Computers
• Computer Carts

Each of my teachers has access to all or most of the devices listed above, and they are encouraged to incorporate them into their instruction in organic and meaningful ways.  Other things I'd consider falling under the umbrella of instructional technology are services like various websites our school subscribes to (BrainPOP, Learning Farm, and Big Universe are a few favorites).  I add these under the same category because they facilitate instruction and they generally require the use of one of the devices listed above.

I'm fortunate to work in a technology-rich school district.  We spend our technology money wisely and aim to keep as much technology available to our teachers as possible.  (Please don't mistake this as a sign that we are an affluent area; my school is a Title I school with more than 70% of our kids on free and reduced lunch.  We are simply a rural district that knows how to utilize the state and federal assistance we're given.)

As an ITF, my responsibilities fall into a few different areas.  It's worth noting that different schools in my district treat my position in different ways at their sites.  A lot is dependent upon the funding (or lack thereof).  Here's how I'd break down my major responsibilities as an ITF at my school:

• I teach classes to all students (K-5) in the computer lab.  I see each class for one 45-minute session each week.  I cover topics like Internet safety, cyberbullying, and other skills covered by the NC Information and Technology Essential Standards. I also do my best to integrate content that's grade level specific into my classes, like doing research projects that tie to Social Studies or Science standards.
• I am a resource for the teachers (and administrators) at my school.  I offer one-on-one support as needed and work with teachers to help ensure that the equipment they have access to is being used as innovatively and effectively as possible.  (In the past, I had a TA to cover my classes 1-2 days a week, but our budget didn't allow for this position to be kept this year, so I no longer have time where I'm not teaching unless my classes are canceled altogether.)
• I lead professional development sessions for the staff on topics relating to technology policies and procedures for the county, along with other technology related topics, like using Google Applications or other resource training.
• I manage the technology for our building--I trouble shoot what I can, and have a technician who handles the more intricate technology issues that I'm unable to solve alone.  He serves our school along with 3 others and rotates through our sites each week.

I also serve on other committees and help with other things throughout the school, so it's safe to say I'm kept good and busy in this job.  I like the fact that I still get interaction with the kids, but I also really enjoy getting to work with the staff.  It's a new facet of this job (outside of managing the technology) that I have discovered that I really like doing.

I think that'll do for now.  I'm going to be working on adding entries to this blog on a fairly regular basis, but I thought it was important to properly define what I'm about and what my job entails.

I'll be back soon with more Instructional Technology (and other stuff).