As an educator I feel that I am always thinking about what’s next. What lesson plan I need to work on, what each student needs next for their personal learning progression, and even what I need to do next to ensure that I am engaging my students in a stimulating learning environment. As I am nearing the end of my master’s program, I am also thinking about what is next for me as a learner and an educator. The Master’s of Educational Technology (MAET) has opened my eyes to so many things that are lacking in education, but also so many things that I can pursue to do better for both myself and my students. In thinking about the future, I have identified three goals that I will strive for in the coming years to propel me both professionally and personally, which include, deepening my students global education through the use of technology, pursuing an endorsement in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and becoming a Google Certified Educator.

 

            My passion for global education has been alive ever since I joined the Global Educators Cohort Program at Michigan State, but this year I have realized that while I am using a globally diverse curriculum and allowing students to engage in experiences within our community, I am missing a huge piece of global education, which is accessible through technology. Through the use of technology and teaching, I can broaden my student’s horizons beyond our classroom walls, beyond our community, and teach them how to be better global citizens. I have identified Project Zero as a resource that I will be utilizing to not only access cultural and global lessons, but to also get connected to other educators and students around the world. I was introduced to Project Zero about a year ago, but I realize now more than ever it is imperative that I make this a priority not only for myself, but also my students.

 

            Another goal that I have identified to best meet the needs of my students is to pursue a teaching endorsement in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Each year in my classroom, I am fortunate to have more and more students who speak another language in their home other than English. While I have had some training in helping students in this capacity, it has not been enough. I have realized specifically this year, that in order to meet all of my student’s needs within my classroom this is something I will have to pursue. In a lot of ways I feel that without pursuing this I am contradicting my own beliefs in global education and essentially not practicing what I am preaching. I have identified a program at Aquinas College that will help me to realize this goal. Not only will this better me as an educator, but it will provide all of my students with better instruction that meets their individual needs.

 

            Finally, through my coursework, I have realized that another professional avenue I would like to pursue is becoming a Google Certified Educator. I want to pursue this to not only gain access to better technology integration tools within my classroom and district, but also to grow my professional learning network.  It is no secret that teachers thrive when they have the opportunity to collaborate with other professionals and learn from other teachers, and this is something I am craving specifically in regards to growing as a teacher with technology integration. I feel that I am currently lacking more than one person to bounce technology ideas off of and in doing some research I have realized that becoming a Google Certified Educator will provide me with access to a much larger PLN than I currently have. In addition to growing my PLN, I also am choosing to pursue this so that I am better equipped to help teachers in my district. Becoming a Google Certified Educator aligns with both my beliefs as an educator within my classroom as well as an educator within my district and community.

 

            All three of these goals will require that I continue to put time and energy into growing myself as an educator. Time can be tricky, but I have truly discovered that when I devote time and energy to growing my professional practice not only will I benefit, but also my students. While education is always changing and evolving, it is crucial that I do as well; therefore it is impossible to stop learning and stop pursuing things I am passionate about.