I enjoyed my tenure as a communications specialist very much and had opportunities to do things I never thought I'd do, like coordinate interviews and news coverage with the media, help publicize a bond election, and interact with community groups interested in supporting our schools. I gathered information on district events and tried to keep our district and community informed on what was happening in our schools. The most fun part of the job was when we got to feature the amazing things our students and teachers were doing. I also facilitated public information requests. Boy, was that an eye opener!
It wasn't all fun all the time, of course. No job is. But even the challenges were learning experiences.
I served as a communications specialist from January 2015 to July 2016. And then circumstances came together to move me back into educational technology. Since August 2016, I've been focusing mostly on three elementary schools in my district, working as their digital learning coach. As we are moving into Chromebooks and Google Apps and blended learning in our district, I'm having a great time exploring new approaches to enhancing learning with technology. And the best part of the job is working directly with teachers and students. Elementary schools are full of curious learners and smiles and hugs. I'm blessed to do what I do!
For a year and a half, edtech and I were on a break. I can't speak for edtech, but I know the break was good for me! I got to experience what it feels like to be a novice in your field. I won't lie; being a novice was scary at times. But it was also rewarding to be mentored by experienced colleagues and refreshing to experience growing in new ways.
Now that edtech and I are back together, I have felt a new energy for what I'm doing. Absence does make the heart grow fonder! And I have different perspectives on what the big stuff vs. the small stuff is. I think I'm more effective at what I do and more cognizant of how each part of a school system functions for the benefit of the learners.
I'm glad I had the opportunity to take a break. I'm even more glad that I'm back!
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