Stephanie Check

When entering into the Master of Arts in Educational Technology program, I had two goals I wanted to achieve. As my time as a Michigan State grad student is nearing the end, I am looking forward to closing this chapter. As I think about what I want to do with my career, three things come to mind: continue to instill a passion for learning, use my tech skills to support the community and others around me, and continue to educate myself by attending conferences and workshops. 

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Passionate Educator  I will continue to instill a passion for learning.

 

I will be a seventh year teacher this school year. I have been praised for my passion in the classroom; from the relationships I form with my students and coworkers, to the eagerness and enthusiasm of teaching the content my students must learn. I want to share that passion with my students. I want to instill the importance of cultivating passion. During my morning circle time, students shared what they wanted to be when they get older. One of my students said she did not know. I was devastated that, even though I emphasized the positive passion and energy of teaching, my student did not have passion for anything she wanted to become. The Passion-Driven Classroom will help me understand how to foster passion and establish a thriving and passionate community of learners. As a passionate educator, I want to put in place various opportunities and learn new teaching strategies for my students to use passion in their learning experiences. This may give the students who lack passion freedom to explore and be able to discover their true passion. 

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Tech Whiz  I will use my tech skills to support the community and others around me.

 

Before entering the MAET program, I was literate in technology. I can confidently say I am now technologically literate in diverse tech tools. To show my knowledge of technology, I became a Google Certified Educator in summer 2021. That summer I earned both Levels of a Google Certified Educator. Also, I have accepted an opportunity to take on a tech support role for the upcoming school year while still teaching. My role will entail supporting my colleagues with anything and everything technology. I am looking forward to this position! I wonder though, how to expand my leadership and technology skills. If an opportunity arises, I would consider a position as a Technology Specialist in my district’s Information Technology (IT) department. Another avenue I would consider is a Google Certified Trainer. I am confident in my skills to become a Google Certified Trainer. That would be a big step and would convey my expertise in Google tools and leadership skills. It would also help impact vast school communities transform their classrooms through the use of technology with the help of Google tools. 

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Lifelong Learner I will continue to educate myself by attending conferences and workshops. 

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While my educational endeavors are coming to a close, I will always be a lifelong learner. In the education arena, you never stop learning. To continue learning and becoming more knowledgeable, I will find opportunities to expand my knowledge whether it is reading a book, listening to a podcast, or even attending conferences. An event I heard a lot about is the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference. Many of my teacher Twitter followers attend this yearly conference. Educators, education leaders, and individuals from the tech world from all over come together to engage in hands-on learning, learning the best practices for the classroom, and listening to multiple guest speakers talk about ways to create innovative learning in the education realm. This would be a wonderful opportunity to network with other educators and like-minded individuals and learn from experts in the field of technology in education. 

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To Wrap Things Up 

 

Words cannot express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to not only obtain one master’s degree, but two, at the most prestigious university ever. As I look back at all my achievements, I could not be more proud of myself academically and professionally. Although my time as a grad student is nearing an end, I know I will do my best to accomplish the goals I have set for myself. I know even after my educational journey as a grad student is over, I will always be a passionate educator, a tech whiz, and a lifelong learner.