New York State Professional Certifications
Library Media Specialist, Gr. PreK-12 Educational Technology Specialist, Gr. PreK-12 Childhood Education, Gr. 1-6 Teaching Students with Disabilities, Gr. 1-6 Middle Childhood Education, Gr. 5-9 – English Concentration Teaching Students with Disabilities at the Middle Childhood Level, Gr. 5-9 |
A Little About Myself.I am an Instructional Technology Specialist who holds a NYS professional certification in Education Technology with twelve years of teaching experience in grades K-12. I am currently employed at Monroe One BOCES where I am part of the NYS Model Schools Department. In this role, I work with 11 districts to support their implementation of technology and ensuring they adhere to Education Law 2d compliance. I specialize in developing professional learning experiences that highlight teaching strategies and curricular concepts, while demonstrating how to effectively instruct using technology tools. I present at NYSCATE and am actively involved in the creation and development of STEAM programs and the integration of NYS CS& DF standards within our cooperating districts.
Prior to my work here at BOCES, I was a teacher librarian at the middle school level with a library that exuded my passion for technology integration, STEAM learning experiences, and student voice and choice. To name a few examples - QR codes lined the shelves to reveal book reviews created by students and staff and my student iTeam members managed our technology, posted challenges in the makerspace, and shared our library statistics with our patrons. The library was full of fresh technology tools like a green screen, an iPad cart, television displays, Ozobots, Legos, and intriguing monthly promotions. As a lead librarian, I worked closely with the District's librarians at the K-5 and 9-12 grade levels to streamline the district's library curriculum. We scaffolded the database resources we purchased and developed a research design cycle with consistent language for our students. Outside of the school library setting, I was part of the Rochester Teen Book Festival planning committee and worked alongside local librarians and passionate readers to make the virtual event possible during the pandemic. As an Education Technology Specialist, I served as the Technology Integration Innovator at Pal-Mac Middle School. I was responsible for leading professional development programs that met the professional learning goals of my colleagues and prepared them for remote instruction during the height of the pandemic. I developed professional learning experiences to support the effective use of our learning management system, Schoology, and the use of Google Meet. I was frequently called upon as a resource for troubleshooting ideas, applying and integrating technology into curricular design and assisting with the functionality of technology in virtual, classroom, and office environments. As technology grows and changes daily, I continue to keep up with new trends through networking, participating in professional learning communities, and taking every opportunity to explore and implement new technology into my lessons. I take any opportunity I get to travel and learn. I attend conferences for our pilar products like, the Schoology Next conferences in Chicago and San Diego, I completed ISTE's Artificial Intelligence course, and have visited schools in New York City and North Carolina to learn from them about their 1:1 rollout. I communicate and share what I learn. Using S'more, I create and send bi-weekly newsletters with tech tips and tricks to my building. I teach my fellow educators using data I've collect from them to ensure, timely, worth-while professional development sessions. Whether in conversation or in a formal survey, I listen and respond immediately to the needs and requests of my staff. I hold professional development sessions at the building level, both virtually and in-person, focusing on topics such as, video applications for instruction, G Suite tips, SchoolTool (our student management system), and how to use tech tools like Nearpod and GoGuardian. I have been asked to teach fellow educators the last three years at the Wayne-Finger Lakes Regional Personalized Learning Conference. My sessions have focus on Digital Citizenship, Inquiry in the Digital Age, and Green Screens in the classroom. Being proactive, goal-oriented, and responsive has helped me find success. I am a lifelong learner who is always aspiring to grow and push myself to continuously expand my skill set. |