Introduction





The aforementioned quote is not a saying, but an intergral part of my philosophy of education.

Background:

I am a native Washingtonian and graduated from Howard University, Cum Laude. In 1995, I began a teaching assignment in DCPS. I got "my feet wet" during the two year stint and transitioned to private industry working for Huntington Learning Center. In 2002, I found my work outside the classroom less rewarding and started what eventually was a brief search to PGCPS. To date, this is my 14th year in education and my 7th year at Parkdale High School teaching English Honors to 9th Grade students.

My more recent accomplishments include obtaining my Master's Degree from McDaniel College in Curriculum and Instruction:May 2008. More importantly I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, Savannah on January 10th, 2007. Leading by example is a personal mantra of mine, and I continue to take classes toward an Administrator's Certificate in the hopes that Savannah will pursue her dreams as well. For the past two years, I have been instrumental in establishing myself in my school community as a leader. Freshmen Coordinator includes developing relationships with staff and students alike, planning assemblies, encouraging cross-curricular activites, and serving in whatever capacity I am needed.

Technology has always been an integral part of my pedagogy in a variety of ways. I have infused webquests, online databases, microsoft office suite, blackboard, and windows movie maker for research, projects, electronic graphic organizers, discussion boards, and introductory lessons.

I look forward to learning how to incorporate more technology in order to further differentiate instruction and assessment and make instruction more accessible to all students. Additionally, I welcome the challenge of using the technology in my room and assisting my students with using it as well. With the help of the STEP trainers and my team members, we will be able to help our colleagues further extend their pedagogical practices with respect to technology.

In the future, I plan to pursue a Graduate Certificate through the University of Maryland's University College in Distance Education to try and establish my niche. In addition, I am very interested in working for Performance Learning Systems as a part-time online instructor. 

Update 2009-2010:

I did enroll in a Distance Education program, but I will not be at the University of Maryland (TOO EXPENSIVE!). Maisie, twisted my arm and forced me to join te STEP team for year two. In addition, I will be completing my practicuum this coming school for an Administrator's License, have applied to the Technology Leadership Academy, and will probably complete a Take One Portfolio for National Board Certification. Initially, I was not looking forward to the Google Strand and actually resented it initially because I had already begun a Wikispace for my students with the blog. Thanks to a very helpful STEP trainer (she knows whe she is), I was able to muster the motivation to tranfers my stuff from the Wiki to the Google Site and embed the blog!

Goals for 2009-2010
 * Keep an open mind about the process!
 * Continue to use what I learned in year 1 and incorporate it with year 2 for STEP!
 * Help others in my building who want to reach more students!