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About the Traveler
& Why MET?
Hello Cyber-travelers!
Allow me to introduce myself:
I'm Evonne Tutkaluk from Red Deer Alberta!
Name: Evonne Tutkaluk
Math Teacher:
H.J. Cody High School
Sylvan Lake, Alberta
Program: Masters of Educational Technology
University of British Columbia
Background
I grew up in a small town in southern Saskatchewan, Climax, until moving to Sylvan Lake at 13 years of age. I graduated high school in Sylvan Lake at H.J. Cody High School in 1990. Yes, this is the same school where I currently work. Upon graduation I went straight to college, Red Deer College, for two years then immediately transferred to the University of Alberta in Edmonton to finish my Undergrad Education Degree, Major in French as a Second Language (FSL) and a Minor in Biological Sciences. An odd combination many have expressed but a combination that has rewarded me with the two teaching positions I would hold thus far!
I completed my undergrad in 1994 and substitute taught for four months before I received my first teaching job in Stavely Alberta. I taught Kindergarten, FSL (French as a Second Language) from K to 9, grades 5-9 Math, grades 5-9 Science, Intro Computers grades 8 & 9, some middle school Social Studies and some Health and PE – quite the mixed bag (most used to refer to it as the janitor schedule – picking up what was left over) and all with NO preparation periods for the first 3 and a half years – nope, none! Due to the class sizes and population of our school we had many split classes as well. What a tough introduction to teaching – I almost quit! But, I instead decided to take a sabbatical, recharge my batteries (as I was burned out already in three and a half years of this type of schedule with no prep periods), go traveling with my sister and a group of friends, some were ironically in the same boat career-wise, then, come back and try it again somewhere else.
I moved to Red Deer during this year long sabbatical break then went traveling to Australia,
New Zealand, Fiji, and the Cook Islands for nearly 6 months. It was during this break that I reflected on my career and realized that I had chosen correctly in regards to selecting secondary training over elementary. I realized through this experience that I was not meant to teach elementary and that I really was suited for high school. So when I returned home I had decided that I was going to start looking
for high school teaching positions.
I returned home in Mid-March of 1999 with a wealth of new travel and life experiences. Within 3 days upon returning home, due to a combination of excellent luck and knowing the right people, I started teaching full-time in Sylvan Lake at my old high school, H.J. Cody just 15 minutes west of Red Deer. It’s a very short commute; I’ve been there ever since & couldn’t be happier! I love teaching at H.J. Cody High School! I’m really glad I stuck it out and gave teaching another chance as it has become a passion of mine – I really do love teaching!
For the past 12 years I’ve taught FSL grades 9-12 (French as a Second Language), grades 9-12 Math, 9 & 10 Science and CALM 20 (Career And Life Management). I’ve also coached a variety of sports along the way as well including: junior and senior volleyball (girls & boys) and junior and senior badminton.
Today
Currently, I teach high school Math (grades 9 – 12) but as a veteran teacher on staff now I wear many different hats which incur a number of different commitments and responsibilities but I no longer coach any sports as my other duties keep me too busy. This fall I can add lead graduation teacher to my other duties: AISI Team member, TI Leader, Acting Admin Team member and Renaissance Team member.
Since I’ve started my Masters program at UBC, I’ve been asked by my principal and school division to use my new skills in different ways including becoming our school’s technology integration leader (TI Leader) and liaising with other TI Leaders in our school division. As such, I have been hosting various technology workshops for colleagues over the past year as well. This fall that role is changing but I will still be performing many of the same duties providing technical support for my staff.
I’m looking forward to having more time to encourage and support tech implementation with staff at my school and in my school division and put theory into practice in my classroom.
Rationale – Why MET?
Prior to choosing the MET Program, I had been undecided about which direction my Masters should go and what focus it would have. However, for at least five years I was continually getting strong encouragement from people at my school division office to pursue my Masters. They have seen my passion for learning and sharing my expertise with others as I’ve been continually engaging and participating in divisional professional development (PD) and mentorship programs. Additionally, for the past 8 years I’ve been presenting at PD day workshops. So I decided to finally give it some real thought.
In 2007 & 2008 I was doing more mentoring, collaboration and lesson building with FSL teachers across the province (Alberta) during which I was being introduced to some Web 2.0 tools. At the same time, my school division was increasing the variety of professional development opportunities
and technology was one area that was given a huge focus. I decided to start attending some of these PD sessions and I started to fall in love with how technology could enhance learning and make my job more efficient while making the learning experiences for my students more meaningful. I was hooked!
I couldn't wait to learn more so I signed up for every technology PD session since 2007.
I had so many questions. How do you know what technology to use? Which ones are better
for different kinds of purposes? When do you use technology in the classroom, when is it most beneficial pedagogically? Do learning styles matter and how are they addressed with technology? I felt I needed a refresher on how we learn so I was excited to learn about learning theories. I also wanted to learn about appropriate technology selection and how to integrate technology into my classroom to create meaningful learning experiences for my students and not just use technology for the sake of using technology, because it’s the cool new gadget.
After that I really think it was fate that led me to the University Of British Columbia Masters
Of Educational Technology Program – there were too many signs to ignore! So lastly, when the protégé second year teacher that I had been mentoring for the past two years mentioned that she was looking into doing her Masters of Educational Technology I was intrigued and had to find out more! We investigated multiple schools together to discover what their Ed Tech programs consisted of upon which we were recommended the UBC MET program. It looked like the UBC MET Program was more tailored to what we were looking for and it could answer all of my questions. We looked into it and immediately we both signed up to start together in the fall of 2009.
And now, two years later and nearing completion of the program (I am taking two final courses this winter term) I have learned far beyond my expectations of what I had anticipated. I was able to learn about and connect theory and research to practice in order to purposefully integrate technology into my classroom. At the same time I acquired a variety of new skills enhancing my knowledge and skills as an educator. An intriguing yet unexpected outcome has been my increased awareness of the impact of technology on different cultures and on the world. I believe that this e-Portfolio is resounding proof of my learning, goals, successes and transformation through the UBC MET Program!
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