Where have I been?
The answer for this question for me is basically like the old Hank Snow tune, “I’ve Been Everywhere”. I started teaching in 1980 and have been in 9 different schools. After 5 years of teaching, I entered the arena of administration accepting my first vice-principal ship. At the time, I never would have thought that I would end up being the principal and builder of a virtual school. Never mind that it would be in Whitehorse. My colleagues and friends always told me I was a risk taker and that one day I would regret it. That has never happened. My interest in using technology in the classroom started in my first year. On one occasion, I received a commendation from my superintendent, who was in my classroom doing an evaluation on my teaching. He was impressed by my using technology in the classroom to fully engage the students. What did I do? I used an overhead projector and some colored transparencies I made for a Social Studies lesson. In 1992, the junior high school I taught at piloted the first computer lab equipped with internet connectivity in the District. In 1993, we invested heavily in net-nanny software.
When I was asked to help build the first, and only, online school in Yukon a year and a half ago, I couldn’t say no. I quickly learned that I did not know nearly enough to create something that would incorporate the newest technology, eager teachers, and a watchful employer to meet the disparate needs of many Yukon students. I did, however, know that I did not want to use the same methods as some of the DL schools I had experience with South of us. When the advertisement for the OLTD Program came through my email, I felt that I had no choice but to see if I could get a seat in the current cohort. It feels up to this point that I have made a good choice. I am looking forward to the rest of the program.
The answer for this question for me is basically like the old Hank Snow tune, “I’ve Been Everywhere”. I started teaching in 1980 and have been in 9 different schools. After 5 years of teaching, I entered the arena of administration accepting my first vice-principal ship. At the time, I never would have thought that I would end up being the principal and builder of a virtual school. Never mind that it would be in Whitehorse. My colleagues and friends always told me I was a risk taker and that one day I would regret it. That has never happened. My interest in using technology in the classroom started in my first year. On one occasion, I received a commendation from my superintendent, who was in my classroom doing an evaluation on my teaching. He was impressed by my using technology in the classroom to fully engage the students. What did I do? I used an overhead projector and some colored transparencies I made for a Social Studies lesson. In 1992, the junior high school I taught at piloted the first computer lab equipped with internet connectivity in the District. In 1993, we invested heavily in net-nanny software.
When I was asked to help build the first, and only, online school in Yukon a year and a half ago, I couldn’t say no. I quickly learned that I did not know nearly enough to create something that would incorporate the newest technology, eager teachers, and a watchful employer to meet the disparate needs of many Yukon students. I did, however, know that I did not want to use the same methods as some of the DL schools I had experience with South of us. When the advertisement for the OLTD Program came through my email, I felt that I had no choice but to see if I could get a seat in the current cohort. It feels up to this point that I have made a good choice. I am looking forward to the rest of the program.