Back from ISTE and Raring to Go?

This is literally the last day that I will be the English/Language Arts Director in this district.  I am moving from 21 years of work in the teaching of reading, writing, and literary analysis to a position where I will work with all content-area teachers encouraging them to teach from an interdisciplinary perspective.  In fact, as an educator who focuses on reading and writing, I readily work with an interdisciplinary perspective.  So with a deep breath and some anxiety, I now take a road less traveled.  A road where department walls are tumbling down and learning truly is the priority.

The last week of this aspect of my career included an excellent ISTE conference.  For the second year I have traveled to listen to educators share their perspectives on teaching with technology.  So many this year made it clear that the technology is not the priority; the priority is learning.  If technology is the tool for learning, then we should use it.  I listened to Ron Clark speak for about an hour.  I was annoyed by the commercial for a specific  technological tool, but his point in the end was one I have always touted--it is the relationship between the student and the teacher that is most significant.  I see though that that relationship does not need to be the teacher as the font of knowledge but more of the teacher as facilitator, guide, assistant, nudger, encourager, advisor, challenger, questioner.  I believe in stepping out of the students' way so that they may discover the next thing to learn.

Over the next few weeks I will share some of my learning from each session I attended.  I hope that others who attended will add their new learning as well.  This will give each of us an opportunity to reflect on what we have learned and set goals for the next school year. 

Closing Session
Although I could not attend the closing session yesterday, I did watch it on my laptop this morning.  The advice was given to go back into your new learning and reflect on what you have learned.  It was suggested that we write down goals for the coming year.  Since I am working in a position that has no definitive plan for next year, my goals will help to guide me through this year of discovery.  I have 3 weeks before all of the new iCoaches return to the district and 5 weeks before the teachers return.  In that time I want to have thought through several possibilities for staff development and for including students in the work with technology. 

As always, suggestions and advice are always welcome.