Originally published as a Page on October 10th, 2008, following my last day at MUSD 10-3-08
After 12 years at MUSD time has come to move on. Personally, I have accomplished much here, along with my dear friend and long-time EdTech Mentor, Gina Pinch (former Director of Technology – 9 years). Together we worked to bring 21st Century Skills and Literacies to the students and dedicated educators of MUSD. We originated the professional development required for educator personal productivity – way back when the district first gained internet connectivity (the big government “goal” and the reformer and savior of education! We developed videoconferencing into a desired form of communication, instruction and community building.
Forgive one overt shout-out to Gina PInch who, in keeping with the ‘open’ themes of 21st century skills, created space in my work world to pursue the outside world, with one goal of keeping the district abreast of trends and thought. Only with the support of administrators can EdTechies embrace the outer realms through participation in associations, partnerships and conferences. These can often be costly for an individual or take one out of their traditional work day. But the VALUE of these exchanges are immeasurable and can help to not only enrich the individual participant but elevate the district (staff, students, community). Through her direct encouragement (and of course my own interest and passion to serve and be involved), I became an AzTEA Chapter Co-Chair, AzTEA Governing Board Member ATIC Associate Board Member, Pinal County ITv Consortium Board Member adn MUSD ITv Coordinator. These led to more active awareness of IDEAL, ETAN, ISTE, COsN, America-Asia Education Partnership, MEC, NECC, AzTea Tri-Conferences, ADE Tech Standards Revision Task Force, instructing at other districts or events across the county and state. Every opportunity was met with a ‘Yes, go for it!’ While I had to ‘get it’, she had to ‘allow’ it (time out of the office or on phone conferences, vid.conferences, skype and webinars…)!!! She encouraged me to investigate Second Life so that together we could discover what this medium could mean to our learners (both stduent and adult) and its broader impact on all learners. I always have a shout-out for Gina, but the real point is – admins and employers need to value the ongoing learning and development of their own EdTechies so that they can continue to remain on the edge of what is and what’s coming (leading or bleeding, both are real estate with no walls or low walls and open windows). Allow staff development of your staff developers, support their embrace of the larger picture. Now that’s a visionary leader!!!
We worked tirelessly (well, I was tired) to shift understanding from personal productivity (web searches, Word & PPT “bookreports”, encyclopedic research shifted to a computer, teacher webpages e-gradebooks), to a project-based, real-world model that reflects the needs and outcomes and connectedness of the 21st century and is evaluated through authentic assessment: observation and outcome. It is a still uncompleted vision, but I have no doubt that will shift in time.
We had the opportunity to develop videoconferencing as a valued educational tool and teachers partner, to increase bandwidth (through Trillion) with the early goal to be enabling us to ITv at all sites and robustly develop a web 2.0 connected student body. Make no mistake, without the years of reasearch, hard-work, consensus building and bandwidth education within the MUSD admin team this would not have come to pass. Sadly, I missed the bandwidth and ITv district-wide by mere days. Friday was my last day and bandwidth was connected THIS WEEK!!! I am sure the strong foundation will continue and blossom.
IN early November MUSD’s start of year videoconfernece evnst (Read Across AZ) begins. At last count 12 teachers K-5 were particiapting from MES, Saddleback adn Pima Butte. Due to equipment limittaions, as usual PB will bus to the High School to participate. MES and SB will share the tech departments equipment that I earned (was awarded) 2 years ago by Jill Dingman of the Pinal County ITv Consotrium, in response to my leadership, drive and success developing, sustaining and growing ITv at MUSD.
We won some key issues, overcame some formidable challenges, lost some key issues and succumbed to some formidable issues. We gained some higher ground and as every EdTechie knows – lost some valuable real-estate along the way. But in the end it was a great dozen years of my life. There is much left to do and I look forward to seeing where they/and I will go from here!
As I move forward toward new opportunity and new challenge, I will be working on the sturdy foundation of those whose good work precedes me (Robin McNulty et al) and hope that at MUSD, those who follow will find an equal sturdy foundation on which to craft their own vision of EdTech for our students.
The kindergarten class, my first year instructing at MUSD, are now HS seniors, my son among them! We move ahead to brave new worlds, together! To all who worked with me at MUSD (teachers, administrators, parents and students), to all who supported & encouraged me, to all who challenged the ideas (making me stronger, more able and hopefully more articulate) I wish you a life full of global collaborations and distant connections!
Want to know more about 21st Century Literacies and Skills: achayefsky@cguhsd.org; CGUHSD
