The major components and navigation of my portfolio are presented on the left and at the bottom of the page. The following components comprise my navigation and portfolio framework:

	TATC Portfolio Home - An introduction  including my resume and a history of my life in the technological world.
	Goals - A brief statement of the goals I have set for myself concerning technology and teaching.
	Observation - A reflective statement concerning my overall thoughts about my Observation experiences.
	Reflection - A reflective statement concerning my thoughts about the overall program of study.
	Standards I-XI - All of the Technology Applications (8-12) Standards and their artifacts are listed on one page with a link provided to each individual standard. Each standard has one or more captioned artifacts linked to it. Note that when you view an artifact representing any standard, a separate window will open for the artifact. When you finish viewing the artifact you can close the window. I, II, III, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI - Links to direct access of each individual standard and its captioned artifacts.
	Standard's Matrix - A matrix diagramming the relationship between the TA Standards and each of the associated indicators with my portfolio artifacts.

Personal Background / Significant Events / Reasons / Preparing / Resume

As I worked on different requirements of the TATC program, I began to notice how individual students approached projects in a variety of ways. This caused me to reflect on how I approached the projects and, indeed, the whole program. I learned an enormous amount about myself during these comparisons. I learned that I still approached my assignments with the same intensity as I did when I was in school. My desire to do the best drove me in every part of the course. I also learned that a creative outlet is so important to maintain.

Personal Background

	Hometown -  Matador, Texas
	High School - Plainview, Texas      1968
	University:  University of Texas       1968 -1972 / 1973 -1975
	University of Texas Arlington       1981 -1983
	Teaching for the University of Maryland, European Extension   1974 -1977
	Teaching in a Private School         1986 -1988
	Teaching in a Birdville ISD              1989 - Present

Hobbies and Interests:

	Genealogy  This link guides you to the story about my Great-Grandmother Ball who was in a wagon train attacked by Indians.
	Watching my daughters play volleyball
	Reading mysteries and historical fiction
	Amateur Archaeology
	Attending Pow-Wow:
	My collections: I collect Kachinas, Native American pottery and jewelry, and miniature owl figurines.

Elaboration on Personal Information

Significant Personal and Technology Events in My Life

How I became a computer teacher:

I became a computer teacher quite by accident. As a substitute teacher looking for any "in", I heard teachers saying there was a one-time test to be certified to teach Computer Literacy. I attended a summer workshop, past the test and was certified. Years later I was hired as a history teacher, but the district discovered my computer certification and the rest IS history.

Creating my own one-of-a-kind multimedia class for middle school.

A few years ago I was asked to design an elective for eighth-graders. I created a multimedia class that stresses introduction to many different programs and various pieces of hardware. This class allows me to enjoy student creativity in ways my other classes do not.

Reasons for Wanting to be a Technology Applications Teacher

I learned in college that I love the environment of learning. I like the interest in finding new information or debating and discussing old information. However, the true revelation that I was meant to be a teacher actually came in church. We were studying the "Gifts of the Spirit" and one of these "gifts" is teaching. It was a revelation to me when I learned that the truth about teaching, the hidden motivation, was not that one has a overwhelming need to change the lives of young people nor does one need to have a purpose of "saving our future". The definition of one who is meant to be a teacher is one who loves learning. A teacher is one who always wants to be a student.

Preparing to Teach

When I am standing in front of any group of people, I feel I must know the subject matter I am presenting thoroughly. I feel I must be able to answer any question. But, after years of teaching computer technology, I know that will never happen again. New information in the world of computer technology increases exponentially. I understand, though, that I must try to know as much as possible. Students should know that the teacher can not answer every question, but is interested in discovering the answers to the things he or she does not know.

Resume

Experience:
My experience as a teacher stretches from the Second Grade to the University level.

	My first experience was as a Teaching Assistant in the Sociology Department at The University of Texas.
	I taught  Sociology, Social Problems and Social Psychology for The University of Maryland, European Division.
	I taught second through sixth grades at a private school before entering public schools. At one time, I was teaching fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, all subjects, in one classroom.
	My student teaching was at Trinity High School in Euless, where I taught World History.
	I have taught History, Computer Literacy, and Integrated Technology Applications at Richland Middle School in the Birdville Independent School District for fourteen years.

Education:

	Masters of Arts,  Sociology, University of Texas
	Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, University of Texas
	Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology, University of Texas
	Teacher Education and Certification, University of Texas Arlington
	High School, Plainview, Texas

 

Honors:

	Phi Beta Kappa, University of Texas
	Magna Cum Laude, University of Texas
	Phi Kappa Phi, University of Texas
	Alpha Lambda Delta, University of Texas
	Phi Delta Kappa, University of Texas Arlington
	Top Ten Honor Graduate, Plainview, Texas

Printable resume