Berwyn+Heights

== =Berwyn Heights Elementary School =



=__Teacher Portfolios __=

Tasleema Anwar

Robert Beaumier

Christian Buzzerd

Jessica O'Roark =__Participating Administrator's Project__ =

Dr. Karen Singer media type="custom" key="3929883" Dr. Karen Singer, Principal STEP 2 Team Member

I love technology and feel that I have few opportunities to work with technology. I find it very appealing to work in a team situation and learn new skills. I have a degree in technology but it was from so long ago that the things I learned are no longer relative. The daily responsibilities of opening and running a building keep me from moving on to a higher technology skill level. In my position, I believe that big and little people need more personal interaction to make things run smoothly. Our school is based on the belief of a kind and caring community of learners. We believe that building relationships is one of the most important things we can do. Therefore, I do not spend as much time with technology as I could. I wrote my dissertation for my doctorate using a computer. I do not think I could ever have completed my degree without using a computer. I did all of the writing and editing using the computer. It made that large project manageable. I know technology is a gift that we all need to take advantage of. I have been a principal for 15 years. When I first became a principal, the schools did not have laptops. I wrote all of the observations by hand and then transferred them to the computer at night. Although I still work on completing teacher observations at night, it has been made it so very much easier. I participated in the tablet PC program and that made the greatest impact on my administrative duties. The ease of use for doing observations on that computer saves me an enormous amount of time. I would walk a mile for that slow running computer! I learned the term digital age person when I was reading. My understanding is that it is a person who grew up with expansive technology interaction. They are even using this term in some classified advertisements for jobs. I began to understand just how different people with this type of background work with technology. They just do it and it is natural for them. Technology is an extension of their day and an extension of their learning. I am a bit of a perfectionist and do not like to have a finished product that is not as near perfect as possible. I do not mind revising the final project but I do not want to submit something that does not work properly or that I would not know how to fix. I also want a FINISHED product. I remember the first time the superintendent of schools did the beginning of the year address via the web, it did not work and the entire staff was left waiting. I did and do not want that to happen to me. I know that it is a risk to use new technology but instead of making the initial time investment, I use less technology and rely on what I know well. I felt STEP would give me an opportunity to learn in a risk free environment. It will get me closer to the digital age. Our team had a very positive experience with STEP I. The equipment and training provided an infusion of new technology into our building last year. Teachers learned to use the equipment and readily shared with other staff members. We spent quite a bit of time learning and having fun. The team relied on each other to perfect and advance their skill set. I was able to produce a project within my skill set but I was also able to get support from the STEP trainers to move my project to a higher level. The entire team completed their project and desired to do it again for STEP 2. I had a feeling of accomplishment and was very proud of how well the team worked together as well as of the things they produced. I was also pleased that they were wanted to participate in STEP 2. I love technology and do not feel I have enough opportunities to refine my technology skills. I took some online courses and thought that the discussion board was a very useful tool. I seemed to be more disciplined and was able to make a weekly contribution as well as respond to others. So I thought that the idea of blogging would be something that would be easy for me. I find that I am able to develop habits and keep up with them. I had the Blogging Blues! I enjoyed the concept, wrote the first blog at training, and then could not get into the blog. Of course, I thought it was me! It was very frustrating not to be able to use the blog from the beginning. I started to write my reflections on paper and then on Word but I was sorry not to have the interaction that I expected. Of course, again I thought it was only me and I feverishly finished so I could represent the team. I then learned that they were experiencing the same trouble. We were able to get a substitute to provide time for them to transfer many of their thoughts to the blog but it took time and we frantically did it after the deadline. I still feel the obligation to comment to the team that worked so hard. I will do it over the weekend so they have some happy feedback. I loved Voice Thread! I loved doing the project. I did my little project on our wonderful mural. You will have to visit it to see the wonderful picture. I really enjoyed looking at other mural projects on voice thread. It seemed to open doors and share some of the passion I feel about this wonderful art venue. It was exciting to make my project better with the help of Linda Sweeting. I have not shared it yet because of all of the technical problems. Each time I look at Voice Thread, I have to the flash reinstalled. It becomes more difficult because I do not have the administrative rights to install it myself. I even thought my project was lost in cyber space! I am hesitant to share with my team because I do not know if they will be able to view it. This will be a wonderful thing to share when I become more proficient. I am busy reading about other murals because I want to have more in the school. It is a wonderful creative project that makes all of our students professional artists, with quality art that will last a lifetime. It is a legacy for our school that I am so happy to share with a larger audience. The very best part of the program to me was the wonderful training and the terrific support the STEP training team gave us. I was stressed during the last training and did not think I could complete the project. I did not want to let my team down but I was running out of time. They helped, supported, and gave me words of wisdom. Their help reminded me why I LOVE technology so much. It is exciting and stimulating and opens up the world. I want to commend them on their hard work and their ability to make us want to continue. In conclusion, I want to have a STEP 3 team. You do not even have to pay us or give us equipment (although it would be nice), you only have to train us. I also want the projects done by April, as long as I am dreaming. The better prepared we are the better our program can be. Because of some of the things we learned, we have purchased technology with our little budget. Because of the things we learned, we began to share more. Because of the things we learned, we are leaving a small footprint. My final reflection is a thanks to the people who created this program and pushed my beyond my level of comfort to become better. Here is to all you STEPers and a hope to keep on stepping along!!!!!!!!!!!!!