ISTE Certified Educator Journey - The Beginning

Well, today I finally did it. I signed up to start the process to becoming an ISTE Certified Educator! I've been looking at this program on and off for about two years now and finally decided it was time to commit. So, why now, you may ask? Well, here is why now was the time...

📚I am currently a graduate student at Lamar University working on my MEd in Applied Digital Learning. This program has really made me think about where I'm at in my career and where I want to go. I am taking only one class at a time as I'm in no rush to finish and I am currently on a break until August when Fall classes resume. So, I figured I have about 14 weeks on my hands and apparently I don't know what to do with idle time.

💻I am finishing my second year as our District Technology Integration Specialist and I feel like I have a better grasp now, than I did two years ago, on what our teachers need and how I can support them and our district. I don't feel as blind going into this anymore.

🤝Since I am the only Technology Integration Speclialist in our district, I'm kind of on an island by myself. I have very supportive administration, but I need to build my PLN so that I have support and collaboration within my field.

💡I'm a lifelong learner, but I don't want to do things just to do them. I want purpose and direction. After being in my position for two years and being halfway through my program at Lamar, I feel like this is the next logical step.

I'm ready to start printing things off, get the dates for sessions and assignments on my calendar, and get to studying! So, maybe I won't be enjoying the next 14 weeks with no homework...but when you enjoy what you're learning it makes it much easier to devote the time! ISTE Certified Educator, here I come!