Adjusting My Goals to Fit My New Dreams
This year I am graduating with my Master of Arts in Education at Michigan State University as well as completing my fourth year teaching second grade. When I applied to the MAET program, I was debating between educational technology or a focus in reading for my Master's study. I was in the midst of teaching both virtually and in person in Detroit Public Schools and realized that technology is only becoming more and more relevant, so I chose this path. Upon entering the Educational Technology Master's program, my goals were simple.
Complete my masters
Attain a pay raise
Originally, I was not planning on doing anything in particular with my masters but to complete it before my 5-year time limit was up, since my internship year. I chose the educational technology route because we are living in a technologically savvy world. Our day to day lives are engulfed in technology, my thinking was to lean into that and learn more.
After I started my courses that focused on technology and how to use it in my teaching career, I started to change my tune. I went and sought out my school district’s educational technology coach and started getting more involved in what she does and how. As courses continued and semesters passed, my goals shifted from simply obtaining my degree, to actually using it. Now, as I work through my last semester, I have set new, more focused goals.
Use the knowledge I have gained from my masters and further my career in education with a focus on technology.
Take a position as an educational technology coach in an elementary school setting and help teachers and students use technology in their classrooms productively. I want to work with teachers to show them ways to engage students in technology, introduce new apps, and to support teachers in any way I can.
Reflecting on this past year in the MAET program, my goals have absolutely taken a turn. It is inspiring to see how things have changed since starting my masters. It is important to be open to evolving and changing your goals as you move through life and your career. Continuing to learn and grow helps to progress your career and goals. Since submitting my application to Michigan State’s Masters program last year, I simply wanted to complete the program and move on. As I learned more and opened my mind to other possibilities within education, my goals shifted and I am now leaving Michigan State with more of a focused goal in mind. I now have something I am working toward and that is very exciting!