Time to Learn

I am back in school after many years and enjoying  the challenges of being a student.  My husband Terry and I have been married for 20 years and we have three amazing children. Alex (13), David (11) and Anna (9) keep life interesting and plenty busy.  I work part time at Northbrook Junior High and enjoy seeing my oldest son in the halls and being called "Disch's mom" by his peers.  My husband is battling cancer, so this is a very intense time for us. It's also been a rich time of experiencing God's grace in amazing, new ways, and experiencing the love and support of family and friends.  Our community is a treasure, especially our neighbors.  

I have entertained the thought of teaching for several years, but have been pushed to take the plunge to go to school because of my husband's health. I need to be ready to work and support my family.  Being a mother and living overseas are two experiences that opened my eyes to education.  My children's natural curiosity inspires me. I want to support other children in their learning, to help nurture that natural desire to learn in them.  Living overseas, I had to start from scratch with a new language, learning to read and write in Russian.  In order to be functional in my new home, I had to begin with a new alphabet and learn to read, write and speak all over again. This helped me to appreciate the challenges children have in learning and has contributed to my desire to teach.

My children live in this era as digital natives. Technology is second nature; it's their native language.  I am a digital immigrant.  At age 43, it's time for me to get serious about mastering the language of technology.  This class is a welcome and needed challenge to push me in that direction.

Technology can be integrated in endless ways.  Watching my children's teachers, I've witnessed many creative ways to use technology in the classroom.  Using technology is second nature to my children.  I hope that will be the case for me as well before long.  I use my computer daily for email and now for writing for school assignments. I'm comfortable with Microsoft Word and am now teaching myself how to use Pages.  I also have some experience using powerpoint.  I use the internet regularly for school and personal use.  I have limited experience with a digital cameras.  I have never used a scanner or CD burner.  I have so much to learn about technology.  

I often joke that I was born into the wrong generation. Abraham Lincoln's era seems more my speed because technology is not my natural love, but at the same time, I realize that it's time to get on board and become a student of technology. I need to learn to speak the language of technology in order to be fully literate in this society and competent as a teacher.  Technology is a wonderful part of education today.