Top

Scene by Erik Timmermans

Technology Applications: "The New Frontier"

Welcome to my TATC portfolio. 

My name is Sheryl Lamb and I teach at Westbrook ISD in Westbrook, Texas.  I completed the TATC  Technology Applications course in August of 2003.

I am currently teaching BCIS I & II, Web Mastery, and Desktop Publishing, the Distance Learning Coordinator, Technology Coordinator at Westbrook ISD. 

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:

Personal Background / Significant Events / Reasons / Preparing / Resume

Back to Top

Personal Background

Home Town: I was born and raised in Brownwood, Texas.  I went to school at Coggin Elementary through the mid-term of the 6th grade.  My parents bought a farm half way between Brownwood and Blanket, Texas when I was twelve years old.  I went to school at Blanket for three years and then finished out the 10th through 12th grade at Brownwood High School.  I attended college and graduated from Tarleton State University in 1971. The week after receiving my BS in Education, Texas A & M called and said they would pay my books and tuition if I would go back to college and get my Kindergarten certification, needless to say I did.  I began my teaching career in 1971 at Westbrook ISD, Westbrook, Texas,  while attending the Kindergarten courses during the summer and every weekend.  I have been teaching there in one capacity or another since then.  Currently I am the high school BCIS, Desktop Publishing,  and Web Mastery teacher as well as the Technology Coordinator, Grant Writer, Web Master, Network Administrator, Tech Technician, and Grant Administrator.  We all wear a lot of hats in a small school!

Back to Top

Significant Personal and Technology Events in My Life

I had been interested in personal computers since they first came out.  A friend of mine got a Commodore 64 and I went over to watch him use it.  Everything was done in DOS, no Windows at that time.  Shortly after that my husband and I purchased a Commodore 64.  I learned to do some BASIC programming by taking two semesters of BASIC at Western Texas College.  Our next computer purchase was a Gateway 486 with Windows 3.1. and a modem. I could now actually surf the 'Net!  Our next purchase was a Gateway PII with 58 K modem...blazing speed (highest ever was 33.3 online).  In the meantime my Superintendent appointed me Technology Coordinator because....I was one of the few teachers who had a computer at home and knew how to use one! I have written and received several TIF Technology Grants and TIF Library grants for our school.  We have been able to get new computers for both of our labs and all of the teachers as well as the library.

Have you had any days/nights like this lately?  Duh! (This takes awhile to download, have patience!)

Back to Top

Reasons for Wanting to be a Technology Applications Teacher

I became a Technology Applications Teacher for a number of reasons.  The most important factor is because we did not have a certified Technology Applications Teacher at the time and my administration asked if I would like to become one.  The answer was a definite YES! I am fascinated with the technology and really want to learn to use and teach the skills.  Most colleges are requiring our students to know many of the TA skills when they get there and our students need to know technology skills to be able to compete in the job markets of today and tomorrow.

Back to Top

Preparing to Teach

Although I have been teaching for the last thirty years (24 of those in Kindergarten, three in Jr. High Computers/Math, and the last two years in High School), I didn't have to imagine being a first year teacher in this field, I was one!  How do I feel standing in front of a group of students? I do not feel any real concerns standing in front of my students.  I have explained to them that we are all learning this together, and if I don't know the answer I will contact someone who does.  Together, we will find an answer.  My main concern is staying somewhat ahead of my classes so that hopefully I will have encountered and mastered problems and skills that they will encounter.  Tomorrow?  I feel that with the training I  have received, I will be well on my way to mastering the TA skills and have a resource base from all of my fellow classmates and teachers to fall back on. I feel that the classes I completed in TATC will help me gain the basic knowledge and skills that I will need to become a good teacher in the TA areas.  I know that with this basic knowledge, I can build new skills as they arise.  In order to become a good teacher, I will need to continually build on the basic skills, and practice...practice...practice! I think that experience, both good and bad, will help me to become a better teacher.  You learn as much from your mistakes as you do from your successes, if not more.

Back to Top