Five years ago, I had a “Five Year Plan.” That plan included getting renewing my teaching certificate (it had expired), gaining as much computer or technology knowledge as I could and either obtaining a job as a middle school technology teacher, an educational technology specialist who works exclusively with teachers or becoming a Technology Director within a school system. In July of 2000, I completed the requirements and thus renewed my Michigan Provisional Teaching Certificate. I rapidly increased my knowledge of technology while working at New Horizons (from 1998-2000) and by attending classes at Michigan State University. In addition, I began working at my current position at Howell Public Schools as the District Instructional Technology Specialist. My job, at HPS, essentially is to work with the teachers to help them gain both basic technology skills and the ability to integrate technology within their individual curriculum. As my résumé indicates, I also develop and deliver professional development opportunities for teachers, as well as maintain and publish a monthly technology newsletter and weekly technology “tips.” I complete the Master's Degree in in Teaching and Learning with Technology from MSU in June, 2003. In effect, I have been living and achieving the goals I made in 1998.

Today, I am faced with a new challenge. Due to budget contsraints, Howell Schools has eliminated my current position and has asked me to teach grades 6-7-8 Technology Literacy at Highlander Way Middle School for next fall. While teaching middle school technology was indeed one of the options I clearly thought about five years ago, it is not the path I have followed, nor is it where I see myself five years from now. Honestly, I am not convinced I see myself doing this for very long at all. I have embraced this new path, although admittedly, not whole-heartedly as of yet. I am giving myself time to get there and I know I will. To that end, I am also looking for other opportunities to continue the path I chose three years ago. I am a leader! I know this about myself and I have made choices that have allowed me to live this. I clearly see myself as a technology leader five years from now. I clearly see myself as a technology leader...today...and tomorrow.

My goals are slightly different in the year 2003. My goals are both professional and personal. Personally, I have one child still at home. My daughter, Kristian, is 16 and just completing her sophomore year at Dansville High School. I have committed to myself and to Kristian the support she needs to be able to complete her high school education and be as successful as she can be. This choice is what has kept me from applying for other positions of technology leadership due to the locations being so far away from home. Time with my daughter (and family) is something I value deeply and am not willing to compromise. To that end, being there to support Kristian in her efforts is my number one goal for at least the next two years.

Professionally, I see myself in a technology leadership position within a school district (such as a Technology Director) or (if I decide to continue in the Ph. D. program) teaching at the higher education level. Even if I do not decide to pursue the Ph.D., I still see myself taking graduate level classes in the field.

I have spent the last five years working in and around technology. It has been my goal to continue to learn and grow within the educational technology field. The Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology Program has helped me to to achieve this goal! I can't imagine my life without technology or without learning! For someone whose parents thought she wouldn't need to take college prep classes in high school because she wasn't going to go to college...I would say it's been quite a journey!