Princess Wade's Teaching Portfolio

Nearly four years ago, I entered Michigan State University's (MSU)

Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program to support my

growing interest of integrating technology into my classroom. Unclear

of my journey, I entered the program with three career goals in mind.

Those goals consisted of becoming a Technology Teacher, developing into

an Instructional Technology Integration Specialist and starting a non-profit

after-school program that focuses on building a strong mathematical

foundation.

 

Initially, my desired position would allow opportunities to go beyond the

typical duties of a Technology Teacher by supporting math educators.

My ideal position would take on additional responsibilities that resembles

a Title I math intervention program. The essential goal of this fantasy

career involved guiding students toward proficiency of prerequisite skills

in order to master grade level standards. I would enhance students’ learning

experience by advocating the use of digital software such as Mathletics that

supports students’ individual learning pathways. Allocating such a software

as a tool to support a school’s Response to Intervention (RTI) plan is a desire

of mine. This aspiration evolved from my personal struggles in math as an

elementary student. Fortunately, my father instilled a sense of excitement

for math. I feel one of my purposes in life is to share my enthusiasm with

my students. Creating a learning environment that is student-centered and

engaging while bridging learning gaps simultaneously is my way of giving

back to the community. After working collaboratively with math teachers to

increase students’ math proficiency, I believe I’ll earn my rite of passage for

an Instructional Technology Integration Specialist position.

 

Due to the MAET program, I am certain have the skills to become a

support system for my co-workers as an Instructional Technology

Integration Specialist. This ideal position creates a collaborative

environment that promote an awareness of the following:

 

• evaluating technology as a tool

• merging teaching philosophy, content area and technology

• coordinates relationship between school curriculum, school goals and

• technology skills

 

The MAET program has led to the identification of my leadership potential, strengthen my level of confidence and influenced my understanding of the abundant affordances of educational technologies. Therefore, I know in due time, my experiences implementing technology into the classroom and gaining leadership skills would direct my path towards my final goal of developing a non-profit after-school program.

 

My ultimate goal is to assist in creating the non-profit after-school program in Flint, Michigan concentrating on the fundamental basics of mathematics. The after-school program is how I envisioned giving back to my community. My dream is to establish an exceptional math intervention program that integrates technology as a tool to meet the needs of all students while simultaneously promoting an enthusiasm and appreciation for math.

 

Now I have entered the final stage of my journey through the Master of Arts in Educational Technology program, I have not deviated from my original goals. However, my understanding of my goals has evolved as I learned how to effectively identify the correlation of technologies, content and my teaching philosophy to support students’ learning. I’m also more knowledgeable and confident in my ability to research, evaluate and institute technologies to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences for students.

 

Earning my master’s degree is one of my greatest achievements. I am looking forward to the coming chapters in my career as I accomplish my goals of becoming a Technology Teacher, then a Technology Integration Specialist and finally establishing my own non-profit after-school program. I now have a clearer vision of my purpose and journey. As I continue my journey in Educational Technology, I will embrace the endless possibilities this field has to offer.