A great experience for me during this was the support I received from the training I received from TCEA’s Technology Director’s Academy. This is a five-day workshop spread across an entire year. The two presenters were Kari Rhame (from Deer Park ISD) and Lori Gracey (from Bastrop ISD and now Executive Director of TCEA) and they provided so much rich content. I call it my “just in time” training because each session met my needs just in time. I learned about staffing, evaluations, budgeting, technology planning, and developing those Big Hair Audacious Goals (BHAGs) early on. I developed my BHAG that continues to drive my focus and plans for the next few years in my role.

In the district, I helped push them toward high-speed Internet and migrating services to the web. We are looking into wireless solutions for accessing resources online. We are evaluating curriculum, looking into research, reading books, listening to podcasts, and developing blogs for principals and librarians.

The district website was redesigned so each department and campus has a web-editor who can make changes from any computer connected to the Internet. We have an online calendar that not only allows us to see events across all campuses, but also allows visitors to subscribe to events through email, text, and RSS. We can even edit online resources from our phones if we need to.

After attending two board meetings, I put together an idea to make more room by removing some older cabinets and cleaning up some wiring. We now have a media cart for the board room that should make presentations easier without having to switch out cables, laptops, and speakers. The system saves space and allows more people in the room.

This year I was able to take 10 people to TCEA – and most of them had never been to TCEA or a conference for that matter. They were exposed not only to the conference and the magnificent exhibit hall; the conference sparked a fire in them that is continuing today. They have had conversations with teachers and administrators about what the world outside of Kerrville is doing and they want to change….everything.

We have tested our 8th graders for NCLB technology applications and that information isn’t just vital for NCLB but it is sparking conversations about how we should be teaching our students. I even tested a few teachers using the tool and that sparked a few more conversations about what is expected of them to know and use in the classroom.

This summer, I have offered some staff development opportunities to learn about all sorts of Web 2.0 technologies, Microsoft Office 2007, and even a book review of current education literature. Participants have been hesitant coming in but leaving with passion and ideas. The best compliment is that they keep returning and wanting more. I’ve had a few tell me that the 3 hour trainings have been the best trainings they have experienced in careers over 20 years long. They like that the trainings don’t dumb them down or make them feel dumb. That they are encouraged not only to use the resources but that the training website points them to finding more training on their own. They like that I tell them not to become experts, but to become resources to find learning online. This is the key to Staff Development 2.0, if you will (I like adding 2.0 or 3.0 to everything).

My job requires me to wear a lot of hats and to balance a lot of information. I have to know hardware, software, web-ware, networking infrastructure, purchasing, federal and state requirements, administrative input, community involvement, etc. I multitask while multitasking on many things all at once. It is never boring! And when I have a moment to dedicate to one project, I take it head on.

I am making change. I am working with district stakeholders to develop a vision for the district that encompasses the history of where they have been and where they want to go. My title is Chief Technology Officer and I have never been thrilled with the title. It is a little intimidating. In my interview, I asked if I could change the title to which they said I could. But I haven’t found a title suiting the job. I do like something incorporating Technology Vision. Maybe adding something from Disney – Imagineer. Ideas?

I say all this to say….this was a great move. I love this job. I love this town. I love how it changes me as it changes with me. It isn’t easy day to day and there are some frustrations here and there. But, I am challenged and I like that. I love it.

Again, I cannot put in words how valuable this academy has been to me. I am a first year CTO with minimal training in everything I do. This academy is something I see as valuable to my day-to-day role; but I can see how valuable it could be to the “old-timers” out there too. Just plugging it again again – take this academy. It is really a rich resource for all of us. Both Lori and Kari have been a great team for teaching us. They also provide us with TONS of resources we get to take with us and use.

I think today’s biggest influence on me was the idea of developing a district research model and then how to share it with staff and stakeholders. Lori didn’t get to show how they developed their model but shared how to instruct others to use it. She showed how Bastrop ISD gathered librarians, tech apps teachers, and CTE teachers together in groups to apply the research model to solve a problem. A project-based learning model in staff development.

It is interesting to me because many districts develop a Writing Model but it is rare to have one based solely on research. Personally, I feel that this model is key to our students living in the 21st century. The ability not only to research but to ask good questions to find good answers is such a demand for everyone. We need to teach our students not only to research for classroom projects but to answer those questions we all face in the future:

• What is the best cell phone for me?
• Where should I go to college?
• How can I finance my new car?
• Where is the best place to go on my vacation?

Being able to ask good questions and to find information in a variety of methods is key to survival outside the walls of our schools and the homes of our parents.

What Lori shared was the first meeting with the teachers and librarians – she gave them a problem-based learning scenario and outlined the research method. First she had participant gather in their group: librarians, CTE teachers, and Tech-Apps teachers. Then they were all presented the problem which was that the President needed a brief on Global Warming – what it was and how to solve it. Each participant had a laptop and had to assemble the brief.

After they had their information and shared presentations, these groups mixed together so that they could share how each group researched. The discussion among these groups was about the method for implementing good research. Then the discussion continued to be about how students could implement the research model. And on even into how to incorporate the research model into curriculum and instruction.

This is something I want to take back to my district to develop. It seems so fundamental and that it could be that missing link to connect curriculum, libraries, and technology on a foundation shared by all.

Today’s session was about a lot of stuff but my brain got stuck on this one. I really think this is going to be key to our staff development process. Now we just have to develop that research model. Good thing Lori shared her resources with us in the Academy!