I was part of our blended learning team, which we quickly morphed into a personalized learning team. It became less about the "programs" and more about the students. I started learning how to design and create instructional experiences for students that made them design thinkers. Problem solvers. Sometimes that included a chromebook or ipad... and sometimes it included crayons, paper and glue... and spaghetti.

While on this team, I traveled for teaching conferences, both as a presenter and as an attendee. I started to see the bigger picture about personalized learning, and how it was exploding across the country.

I grew up in Evanston, Wyoming... and we don't have any big tech companies here.

During the next Several years, I continued working in my district, but as an Instructional Facilitator & Personalized Learning Representative. I began traveling to teach other teachers about this educational approach. During this time, I heard about computer science, and the rapidly growing field it presented, both to teachers and students alike. I saw the connections between personalized learning and computer science, but I have never been a "computer geek". However, I do have 3 degrees, all of which I got online. I am not a "tech" but I am "tech savvy".

I grew in my understanding of intervention, direct instruction, and data driven instruction. I became familiar with several curriculum/program approaches and worked to support best practice in the classroom. I loved being a teacher, but found my heart was encapsulated with coaching and facilitating. I am the girl that is 20 minutes early to pd. If I am a participant, I am in the front row... 20 minutes early- with extra sticky notes and markers, and paper... and i literally can't wait to learn and share more about best practice. If I am presenting- I am equally engaged in the process and can't think of anything I like better.

As I was modifying my educational perspective... a new opportunity arose. I have always been in Elementary Education. I taught or supported Kindergarten through 5th grade, and never even considered middle school. The thought never really crossed my mind.

During the school year 2019-2020, I started teaching middle school Media Literacy, Digital Citizenship, and I dabbled in Computer Science. However much of my focus was on academic support and intervening with older struggling readers. Although 2020 presented several challenges, it provided me with an awesome opportunity to dive into the field of how middle schoolers read and how to best intervene. I also began my work in computer science, as our state continues to modify and expand our Computer Science expectations, I followed suit and began getting my K-12 Computer Science certificate.

We grew the program and I taught 6th - 8th grade Intro to Computer Programming. If I can have an impact on students... help them to learn accountability, self motivation, the ability to respond appropriately to set backs, persevere when it's hard, and efficiently navigate the world we are living in... I have done my job.

I appreciate Computer Science. I loved my kids, I loved my school, And I loved my job.

During 2022 year, I also worked as administrative instructional support and oversaw the application and certification process of HRS level 2, and the application for PLC model status. Although the classroom has been my home for a while, my heart has been drawn back to facilitation and coaching. I miss everything about professional development and I thrive on the excitement of supporting administration as they take on High Reliability Schools framework and the Professional Learning Communities model.

As I shift my careers focus, it is my life's work to support administration and teachers to provide best practice in the classroom and outstanding data driven practices that allow high levels of learning for all students. I look forward to supporting you, your teams, and your district in this process.