Personal Growth Plan
Why Become an Educational Technology Leader?
Three years ago, I decided to pursue a career to build my foundation to become a leader in the educational field. After years of traveling around the globe training staff, I concluded there is still a wide discrepancy among the way students learned. Many students did not have the opportunity to immerse in the growing field of technological tools. Technology should be available for all students; giving students the opportunity to excel in their learning and supporting them to develop skills helpful for their future endeavors.
I have three steps that I envisioned myself taking to achieve my long-term goals to make a difference and to have a meaningful impact on society. First, I set out to become a lecturer; I became an adjunct professor at Saint Peter’s University to improve my teaching techniques, to learn from my students and to listen to their growing concerns. Second, I have enrolled in the New Jersey City University doctoral program to learn about the fundamentals of educational technology leadership, theory and practice, and research. I want to be familiar with all the necessary standards and guidelines in the academic setting. Third, my goal will be to be part of an educational think tank to promote awareness and to encourage policies for funding to underserve organizations. I intend to focus my research on homeless youth, where I feel much attention is needed.
Educational Leadership Philosophy
Transformational leadership best describes me. Northouse (2018) stated, “transformational leadership is the process whereby a person engages with others and creates a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and the followers” (p.186). Continually, encouraging my students to go beyond what they are capable of, motivating them never to give up when situations are getting tough and providing comfort when needed. I offer my students with as many resources as possible for them to make fully informed decisions. At times, I feel frustrated; likewise, my students provide the moral support I need to overcome my challenges.
Timeline
Goals 2018 – 2019:
• Plan to attend the World Maker Faire New York at the New York Hall of Science in September 2018.
• Continue to mentor middle school students for the Future City Projects. September 2018 to January 2018.
• Volunteer as a judge during the regional Future City New York competition.
• Attend two conferences: 2018 Hunterdon County EdTech Fest & ISTE 2019 Philadelphia
• Provide support to my colleagues to help them integrate technology into their curriculums.
• Become a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.
Goals 2019 – 2020:
• Attend the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), Washington, DC, November 2-5, 2019.
• Work on starting a Raspberry Pi Meetup.
• Volunteer / Mentor at the Covenant House. (Location TBA)
• Work with other cohorts to present at a conference.
Goals 2020 – 2021:
• Successfully defend my dissertation.
• Publish an article for an academic journal.
• Work with other cohorts to develop the framework for a coding camp.
• Attend two conferences (TBA).
References
Northouse, P. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice (6th edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.