June 5

I am quite nervous in starting this class - all I hear from people within my district is how difficult and time consuming it is...I have 2 little boys so maybe this will become my escape from them. I enjoyed reading everyone's bio and technology once again amazes me bring together people from all over Texas with so much experience and knowledge.

June 6

First day to do work of summer - the boys cooperate in stages. Just when I think everyone is good and I can get something done...bamm someone is hunger or one just hit the other. I printed out the syllabus for the first section - now I just need to sit down and come up with a plan and specific days to get the work done. I've got the support at night so when a day doesn't quite go as planned I'll still have time to get the assignment completed.

June 8

Tried to get on numerous times - hope I didn't do anything to loose the connection.

June 9

Set an email to connie and found out it was on their end. What a relief. As I read people's evaluations...they are making me nervous. I feel fine about this course because I know people who participated in it. But reading what others has to say...makes me wonder...I have enjoyed this first week and I look forward to the rest of the summer.

June 13

Some of the assignments seem easy to manage, yet others are very intimidating...I almost feel like I need a better starting place. The whole thing with a mentee and finding a lesson...that is so hard to swing in the summer. All of my teacher friends have turned off their teaching hat to try and enjoy the summer. I'm actually wanting to use one lesson from our English teacher...she is game...but doesn't want to really work at it or think about it until August.

June 14

I felt good finishing up some of the other activities. The assistive technology work was very good and interesting. I'm amazed at what is out there. It is going to make my special education department really want to spend some money!

Trying to find a time to get together with Jonathan.

June 15

I really enjoyed talking and working with Jonathan. It is nice to know that you aren't in this crazy boat alone! I am realizing that I have an ability to talk "shop" with people and I enjoy hearing about what others are doing. Because in turn...I love to tell people what I am doing!

June 20

I fell a little out of whack all because of a printer. It says that the cartridge is not the correct kind...too bad it can't read it to know that it is the right own. I felt a little behind because I found a couple of things that I didn't do...send in my pd...but I feel like I got caught up today. Definitely a hard morning...but a better afternoon when I came back too it.

June 22

Planning on going out of town for about a week and a half. I am trying to get stuff done and taken care of before I leave. I will have access to a computer, but I'm not sure if I will be able to load First class. I believe the key to supporting your teachers is to be there for them. I've noticed that my teachers are able to relax just a little bit and focus on the instruction part of a lesson when I am in their room or the lab with them. It makes them realize that if something happens...I'm right there and no time is lost. I think this also goes to help build trust too.

I am learning to be a better listener and communicator- in the past when a teacher tells me about a lesson - I just run with it and only return to them when I've completed the activity. I hand it to them and unless they ask for me to do anything else...I'm done...I'll definitely be better at working WITH the teacher...rather then apart from them.

June 23

Completing this journal early because I will be in Vegas and CA...not quite sure if I'll have access while I'm there.

Through discussing and commenting on others writings I find it very easy to express my views and goals. I am also learning that there are different jobs that I must do everyday at work, that I wear many hats. In talking with other people in this course...there are definitely those with harder working conditions. This makes me value my job even more. I feel very confident in my job. I know I'm good at it - put me in another school...I don't think I could say that - you get used to what you know. You thrive where you feel comfortable.

July 7

Just got back from vacation and I believe that I am finally caught back up and have everything done. This video was a good idea and I would definitely like to make one showcasing all of our technology on our campus. I think it would be a good resource for our new teachers. I'm looking forward to being able to focus on this course more in the upcoming weeks. I guess that is the hard part of doing a class like this during the summer. Family stuff just can't wait sometimes.

I believe that with every assignment I am gaining faith in myself as a mentor and a leader on my campus. I am learning skills and traits that are important to my job and will allow me to do my job even better.

July 11

Not a lot of time here, am really trying to get the lesson plan put together, definately more work that I first thought. I couldn't believe doing all of this for every lesson all of the time. Its good to see all the aspects and make sure that you have all aspects covered, but it is really time consuming.

July 13

Lesson plan is done and once I got going it seemed to go very quickly and easily. Again, I am having more issues with doing stuff in FrontPage...No wonder I switched to Dream weaver...I just don't have it on my home computer. Have spoken with Jonathan and we both are happy with what we have gotten out of this course so far. I wish I could say that I am looking forward to break...but a vacation at the beginning of August is going to keep me busy trying to stay ahead of the game.

July 22

It is pretty easy getting back into the swing of things, however, I am nervous about my vacation coming up - I dont' know what kind of connection I will be able to get in Wisconsin...but I will try and have most done before I leave. It would be nice to not have to worry about it while on vacation anyway. The business cards were fun. I'm nervous about doing the goals again - I had such difficulty getting it right last time.

July 26

Trying to get things done. We leave to go out of town for a week and I would love not to have to work on it or worry about anything when I am away. It is really interesting reading everyone's stuff on assessment. You don't really know what is all out there until you do research or talk to other professionals.

July 27

I hope to really gain a great lesson out of the next goal. We will have a new computer management system on all of our computers next year - and it will be my job to make sure that everyone knows how it works. I really value making something that I personally will be able to use in my job.

August 8

OK - my travels for the summer are officially over - I still have a husband and 2 kids...I guess that is the good news. I am nervous about my goals for the new module. This is a lesson that I will actually be doing for my teachers and I want the goals to be what I need...I just don't' know if I have done a good job with that. I go back to work next Tuesday and Jonathan is already back at work full time and I think timing is going to get rather difficult. I've come too far to give up now...I just hope I can get going on this without have to back track too much like I did last time.

August 10
 

I feel back into the swing of work again - I always enjoy the questions to ponder - some of the questions seem to be getting more complicated. I'm looking forward to going back to work next week and using the information and knowledge that I gained in this course. I know it will make me a better leader and technologist on my campus.

August 17

I've gotten some of the work done, but I'm having a hard time getting onto the server. I would say that this is frustrating, but I know that I am not the only one having these issues.

August 19

I'm spending some time getting everything updated and responding to everyone's postings. I'm getting to the point at work where I can really practice what we've been working on this summer and I'm really excited. I'm hoping to really help my teachers this year and make a big difference in their use of technology.

August 24

I sure wish that I was in a better position at work to be able and practice all that I have learned this summer. I am still in the...my computer wont' turn on, I don't have email, what is my password, where are my class lists, stage of the beginning of the year. I really liked starting later, but I feel so far behind.

I'm getting nervous about this class coming to an end and having everything put together. I was happy with the last lesson plan that I chose, but it is difficult trying to do all the requirements when I haven't done the training yet and I am not really working with anyone, except my CC partner.

August 31

I've been stressed because I haven't been able to view my grades, my principal is going to kill me if I don't' pass this class. I feel like this class has given me the tools to do my job better at my campus. It's really hard right now, because I would love to work with teachers on their lessons, but all they can think about is...this doesn't work, that doesn't work, I lost my password, I don't' have a remote, my printers aren't working, when is gradebook going to be ready...anyway, I guess I just have to give it time.

Thanks for a great class Rachel.