Kim Woodard's TATC Portfolio

Welcome!  Upon viewing my portfolio, you will see various artifacts that were completed as a requirement for the 2002-2003 Technology Applications Teacher Certification program offered by the Region XI Educational Service Center.  The artifacts I chose to include demonstrate the skills and knowledge I have gained from the program.  Through this portfolio, you will see my observations and reflections for the creation of the various artifacts as well as the courses covered in the program.  The major components and navigation of my portfolio are presented on the left, at the top under the banner and at the bottom of the page. The following components comprise my navigation and portfolio framework:

• TATC Portfolio Home - An introduction of myself including my Resume and my technology life history.
• 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

Personal Background

     I was born and raised in the small, rural town of West, Texas.  A majority of the people in the town are from the middle-class background and have Czech heritage in their family.  I really enjoy being from West and had a wonderful experience growing up in the town.  The only thing that is frustrating at times is when it is hard for people to understand that the town is actually located in Central Texas!  Many times when you say you are from West, Texas, the first reply is "Where in West Texas?".
     I started Kindergarten at West Elementary and graduated from West High School in 1990.  I, along with many of my classmates, were in the West ISD system for our entire K-12 education.  During high school, I enjoyed playing volleyball, basketball, summer softball, marching in the band (I played the flute), and twirling for the band.  I was one of those that did not want my senior year to end.  I thoroughly enjoyed this class 3A high school and love the memories it created for me.
     However, I had to leave West High and decided to enter McLennan Community College for two years.  I received my Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration in 1992.  I then joined my boyfriend and future husband  in the "Aggie Spirit" and transferred to Texas A&M University to finish my education.  I received my Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting in 1994.  However, just like in high school, I did not want to leave Aggieland.  Therefore, I stayed another year and received my Master of Science Degree in Accounting in 1995.  College Station, Texas is such a special place.  There is a quote that Aggies have that explains it perfect.  This quote is, "From the inside looking out, you cannot explain it, from the outside looking in, you cannot understand it."  However, just to give a little taste, click on this link to read about Aggie Traditions, and click on the picture to hear the "Aggie War Hymn".    
     From Aggieland, I moved to Waco to work as an Accountant in West.  I married my husband in June of 1996 and we moved to Meridian, Texas, where he teaches and coaches.  I commuted to West for two years before deciding to enter Tarleton State University's TMATE program.  I started my internship for this program during the 1997-1998 school year at Kopperl High School.  Then in 1999, I was blessed with a wonderful daughter.  I am currently still teaching technology classes at Kopperl High School.
     Finally, I will leave you with a video clip from our family's new favorite movie, "The Rookie."  I can replace many of the players in the movie with the player's on my husband's baseball team.  Click on the link to see an E!Online preview of the movie - "The Rookie"

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Significant Personal and Technology Events in My Life

     One of the most significant events that I can recall started when I was fifteen years old.  My father had been working at General Tire and Rubber Company for many years when the plant was shut down.  I know that my parents were struggling at the time, but they still managed to provide a very loving environment for my family.  I do remember that this occurred right before my sixteenth birthday.  This sticks out in my mind because I knew I was getting a car for my birthday - my sister did when she turned sixteen.  However, when my birthday came, there was no car in the driveway.  I came to realize however, that what they did give me was probably more than they could afford at the time.
     As for my dad, he found another job and decided to go back to school to receive his Master's degree.  He would get off work, drive to Commerce from West, and take night classes.  What technology and online learning could have done for him then!  We received our Master's degrees in the same year.  He graduated at the end of the spring semester and I graduated at the end of the summer semester.
     Upon receiving his Master's degree, my father got a job as a member of the technology team at LaVega ISD.  Therefore, the technology event in my life also ties to my father.  Anytime I need technical advice about technology, I can go to him.  Due to the fact that my school has no technology coordinator on staff, I have had to turn to him to get help about how to fix things that occur at my school.  Actually, I have to say that I have probably learned more about technology from him than from anyone else.  Had he not lost his job those many years ago, I not would be able to say this.

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Reasons for Wanting to be a Technology Applications Teacher

     I tell all of my students that I am the prime example of "find out what you really want to do before college".  All through high school, I wanted to be a teacher.  However, when it came time to actually decide on a career, I decided to pursue accounting.  I really do not know why, I just thought it sounded interesting.  My husband pursued an education career from the start.  He knew that he wanted to teach and coach in the high school environment.  I also saw and still see how much he loves being in the educational system.  I see it both in his teaching and coaching.  
    In all honesty, I loved doing the actual accounting work, but I hated the stress and hours.  My husband and I hardly saw each other due to both of our careers.  Therefore, we sat down and decided that if we stayed the way we were, we would never have a life for children.  I knew that my husband loved his job a lot more than I liked mine, and I knew that I had always wanted to be a teacher, so I changed careers.  It was the best thing I have ever done.  I love teaching in the secondary environment.
     I fell into the business/technology background due to the hours I had taken in those fields during college.  I started my first year teaching more business than technology classes.  However, as the years have gone, I am no longer teaching any business classes, but teaching all of the secondary technology classes for our school.  Due to the fact that I am the only technology teacher on campus, and with the number of required technology classes that have to be offered, I am now solely technology and no business.  Actually, our school no longer offers any business courses as electives.

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Preparing to Teach

     I honestly have felt like a first year teacher many times since my actual first year.  For example, this year I was informed two days before school started that I would be teaching a multimedia class.  Not only have I never taught this class before, but we also do not have most of the software required to teach this class.  I am taking it a day at a time, staying about a quarter of a step ahead of my students, which makes me feel very nervous.  If this had been my actual first year, I do not think I could handle the stress.  I know that I would never have informed my students of the fact that I was only part of a step ahead of them.  I would have constantly worried about how well I was teaching the lesson..
     Standing in front of the same group of students tomorrow, makes me feel confident.  I am confident that they respect me enough as a teacher to know that even if I am only a quarter of a step ahead, they still will receive quality instruction that will cover all of the topics for the class.  I also am no longer afraid to inform them that I am only a part of a step ahead.  I have come to realize over the years that the students love teaching me new software tricks as much as I love teaching them to the students.
     In order to become a good teacher, I have realized that I must constantly train myself in both technology and teaching styles.  What makes me a good teacher in one class, may make me a horrible teacher in another class.  I have to look at the students and identify their needs and styles of learning in order to be a good teacher in that particular class.  Therefore, I feel that I need to learn how to better identify what styles are best for my students and how to present the topic in that manner.  I honestly do not forsee covering this topic in any of the TATC classes.  I will have to find outside workshops to help me in this area.  I also think that in order to become a good teacher, I will have to continue to gain experience in the classroom.  Without the student and their participation, I would never be able to reach my highest potential. 

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Resume

Education
	1995      Master of Science in Accounting      Texas A&M University
	1994      Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting      Texas A&M University
	1992      Associate of Arts in Business Administration      McLennan Community College
	1990      West High School      West, Texas
Certification
	Present      Technology Applications Teacher Certification      Region XI Educational Service Center
	1997      Texas Teaching Certification      Secondary Basic Business      Tarleton State University       Tarleton Model for Accelerated Teacher Education
Experience
	1997-Present      Kopperl Independent School District      Secondary Technology Teacher      Courses Taught           Micro-Computer Applications           Business Computer Information Systems I           Web Mastery           Video Technology           Desktop Publishing           Multimedia           Keyboarding           8th Grade Computer Literacy           7th Grade Computer Literacy           8th Grade Keyboarding           7th Grade Keyboarding           Elementary Computer           Accounting I           Business Law           Introduction to Business
	1995-1997      Rocking Diamond K Ranch, Inc.      Accountant
	1992-1995      Texas A&M University Department of Marketing      Student Aide
	1990-1992      House of Flowers      Floral Assistant/Bookkeeper

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