When TATC first started I wasn't really sure what to expect. I was excited but at the same time I was scared to death. I wanted to learn about all of the different classes but I didn't know if I could handle it. After a couple of weeks I can remember crying to my husband and telling him that I didn't think I would make through this class, and I had no idea where I was going to come up with the money to pay the school back. I thought to myself "what on earth have I gotten myself into!" I didn't think that I was going to be able to handle the class, teach new classes, coach three sports and actually spend a little time with my family. I can remember from day one of the Vision IT class, Connie and Rachel telling us "Don't Double Learn! If you are learning new tools, use familiar tasks, and if you are learning new tasks, then use familiar tools." Well I was one of those lucky people who were learning both!

Through trial and much error I survived and I am so proud of myself and of everything that I have accomplished. I never dreamed that I would have learned as much as I did through this TATC class. I have learned a great deal of information that I have already started incorporating into my regular business classes as well as my future web mastering class. I now have a tremendous amount of resources available to me that are just a click away.

Because of this class, I am a different teacher. I have come to expect more out of my students as well as myself. Just because TATC is over doesn't mean that my learning will stop. I still want to continue learning especially in certain areas like web mastering and digital graphics. I am a life-long learner, as most technology teachers are, who is not satisfied with where I am now. We all know that as teachers we must stay up to date with the latest technology, but I would like to try to get ahead of the game.

Standards I-V
Most of these standards were accomplished through completing projects. I have come to realize that I was already including most of these standards in my current class and just wasn't aware of it. The TATC class really expanded my knowledge in this area and increased my awareness of these standards.

Standard VII - Desktop Publishing
This was the class that I was the most excited about learning at first. I really wanted to learn how to create attractive and effective publications. After the first class of desktop publishing, I really wasn't crazy about the subject. I spent a lot of time trying to learn the software program Adobe PageMaker and I became frustrated when things were not working as I wanted them to. After experimenting with the software and learning more about it, I seemed to enjoy Extended Desktop Publishing. After the extend class, I really had a change of feelings for the subject. I learned about the principles and elements of design and started incorporating them immediately into my BCIS classes. Through this experience I have found a class that I think I would really enjoy teaching. There is so much to do and learn in Desktop Publishing and I am not through learning yet!

Standard VIII - Digital Graphics and Animation
This class was a blast! I really had a good time creating and editing graphics. I feel that this is the area that I learned the most in. I learned Adobe Photoshop like the back of my hand and I absolutely love the software. I am not really sure how I ever survived without it! I could sit and play with this program for hours editing graphics and just exploring with it! Animation on the other hand needs some work. I loved creating projects with it, but I am still not comfortable using the software. With a little more work, I think that I would feel more comfortable and possibly even want to teach this class someday.

Standard IX - Multimedia
Multimedia covers such a wide variety of concepts. Before this class I did not even really know what multimedia meant. When I first heard the word it was kind of frightening. If you think about it "multi" "media"? I had no idea what to expect. After learning what exactly multimedia consisted of, using at least two different types of medias, it really wasn't difficult at all. I highly enjoyed this class and creating all of the projects. I really learned a tremendous amount in this area, especially in the lines of video and audio combined. I never knew just how easy and fun it was to edit audio until I played with Cool Edit. I touched on a small portion of audio in my BCIS classes this year and they loved it. I can't wait to include more sound, video and animation into my other classes now that I am experienced in it.

Standard X - Video
This is the subject that I am still a little shaky about. I love editing and putting together the final video with audio but when it comes to camera angle, lighting and those things, I am not comfortable. I feel that I need more experience and knowledge in those areas for myself to become comfortable teaching those concepts. But as with all of the other TA subjects, I will continue to learn to improve my knowledge of this subject matter.

Standard XI - Web Mastering
This was the class that I feared the most. I figured that I would be completely lost when it came to creating web pages, it just sounded so difficult. Out of all of the TA subjects this one is my favorite. I really enjoyed learning about Adobe GoLive and creating web pages. I can now create sites easily and have impressed not only myself but my co-workers as well. Through the preparation and learning that I have incurred from this TATC class I will be taking on my first ever web mastering class next year! This will be the first time that I have taught a TA subject before. Yes, I am nervous but I feel that I have been adequately prepared for this new adventure!

As you can see I have gone from knowing absolutely nothing about any of these TA subjects to full confidence on most of them. This class was one of the best things that could have happened to me. Because of TATC, I am now a more confident and more educated Technology Teacher.