My McTeachin' Toolbox

When beginning an action research project, I have learned that the inspiration for whatever topic ones chooses should start with the vision for positive action and change in the education environment.  It is not just a study, but a study that will yield action directly into a school environment.  When it comes to my initial action research plan/idea, I plan on basing my study on the need for better new teacher training and induction into my campus environment.  Not only will my project focus on the content knowledge and skillsets that incoming teachers must utilize, but the support system provided to ensure that new teachers are given the best opportunity to be successful in their first year in the classroom. My overall research question:  Are new/incoming teachers to the elementary campus receiving adequate training, resources, and support to be successful in their first year of teaching?                 This ac...

                                    Action research and traditional research methods can both be positive change agents in today’s education settings.  They both seek to solve problems through investigative actions and to target areas in need of improvement.  After reading the textbook and watching the Module 1 videos, I have come to appreciate the idea of action research.  This was a new concept I had never heard about before, but one I know that will serve me well in my years ahead in education.  In my opinion, the best quality of action research is being able to apply it directly to the school environment and to the work being done for students.  Moreover, it is an ongoing process.  The experience and information that is collected can then be used to make changes in the school system to seek improvement in any given area. (Mertler, 20...

  If you asked me one year ago today if I would have my own website, an active learning blog, and 2/3 of a Master’s degree accomplished, I would have laughed! How would that be possible?! Well for all those reading, it is indeed possible. Whatever you set your mind to can be accomplished with hard work, perseverance, and faith. As I reflect on my learning and what I have achieved so far in Lamar University’s Masters Program in Educational Technology Leadership, I know that what I am learning will help me to be the best leader I can be for both educators and students in my years to come. To showcase my learning, I now have a living, breathing resource to track my progress along the way - my ePortfolio! The COVA-inspired ePortfolio project is one with many benefits and rewards. Not only does it collect one’s personalized learning, but it leads others to new content and knowledge in their own learning journey. It truly is a way to keep on sharing from one person to another, and how...

After reviewing some of the ePortfolio examples provided on Dr. Harapnuik’s ePortfolio, I was able to analyze others’ learning creations and take away some valuable points. The first, keep it simple, yet detailed. For the ePortfolio to be used effectively, it should not be overcluttered or misleading with too much “stuff”. If this happens, a site’s content cannot be clearly received, and the user will not be able to easily acquire new information. I made sure to keep this in mind when creating mine! The valuable saying “less is more” is perfect to use when designing an ePortfolio. Second, I also noticed how innovative and unique the ePortfolio’s were to each individual person. I love this part of the project and whole COVA design process! It really shows who a person is, and they are more invested in their work when given this freedom. Therefore, not having specific criteria for how the ePortfolio looks allows students choice to showcase who they are as a learner and leader. I...

After reading this week’s articles and observing some of the powerful discussions already taking place, my understanding of the ownership of ePortfolios can be simply stated as: taking ownership represents one’s genuine, reflective, and ongoing lifelong learning. That is ours, always will be, and will continually shift as we continue to learn and grow. However, we as students do not own the ideas Lamar University shares with us and promotes through various videos, articles, and discussion questions, but the thoughts and learning taking place in our own lives each week are indeed ours. Our school and professors are guides to meaningful learning and this is represented clearly through the COVA process by giving us ownership opportunities. Moreover, our teachers are not just showing us, but they are “walking the walk” by teaching us using the ePortfolio model themselves! This guarantees credible learning because they have experienced what we are experiencing – the application of learned k...

The art of the ePortfolio is so meaningful in building connections. You can access this resource anywhere at any time and have the incredible opportunity of showcasing to others your personal growth. This takes vulnerability and courage. However, the transformation is so worthwhile. In fact, it is revealed in the words of many projects and papers, discussions of quality conversational topics, and even with creations through self-discoveries. My favorite line from our readings was that, “An ePortfolio helps teachers see learning through the eyes of students and through effective feedback helps learners become their own teachers” (Harapnuik, 2019). This is the pinnacle point in one’s learning when they can become their own teachers through their active and ongoing learning and their ability to create. In the classroom, I like to tell my students that they can truly show me they know a skill or concept (for all my Texas people….TEKS!) when they can teach the skill to...

After reviewing these introductory articles and resources about the innovative ePortfolio, as well as participating in EDLD5302 last course, I have learned that the whole idea around collecting one’s learning digitally is to have a lifelong place to access the materials, share with others, and easily continue to add to it throughout our learning years ahead in our careers. I personally think that by having an ePortfolio, one is acknowledging and embracing their learning journey, and ultimately demonstrating their lifelong learning. ePorfolios can be accessed anywhere, at any time, and in any place – which is so valuable when making connections with new colleagues and really any new person! I took a leap of faith and posted my initial ePortfolio and blog to my Facebook so that I could transparently share with others what I am learning and absorbing from our program. Moreover, when mentioning this project to my mom, a teacher for nearly 30 years now, she loved the idea and even shared...

Check out my learning manifesto!  These beliefs are at the core of every teaching decision and action I take.  Feel free to share your own philosophy of teaching in the comments below. “We are guilty of many errors and many faults, But our worst crime is abandoning the children, Neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can wait. The child cannot. Right now is the time his bones are being formed, His blood is being made, And his senses are being developed. To him we cannot answer ‘Tomorrow.’  – “His Name Is Today”. Without Audio: https://prezi.com/view/EujKQcUKKCi3NUYIwsHp/ To the child we cannot answer "Tomorrow".   The child's name is "Today".

But what if we used our brainpower to challenge our minds even further, to have complete control over what happens to us on a daily basis, and to do all this for the betterment of our mind, heart, soul, and body? After a LOT of reading and studying the words of Dr. Carol Dweck on growth mindset, I have come to the conclusion that having a growth mindset within the classroom is essential - not only for the well-being of the students, but for the teacher as well.  Growth mindset is such a powerful tool in controlling personal experiences and challenges.  In the course of a day, so many occurrences take place that are beyond a person's control.  For example, a child throwing a temper tantrum, a staff member calling in sick, a student in a bad mood, a reckless driver running a neighborhood stop sign, and on and on and on.  These are what we refer to as "uncontrollable's" - the happenings in life that you cannot predict, go back in time and change, or have any say over....