DARRYL HAWKINS Ed.S. IT Portfolio

Introduction

I am an experienced School Library Media Specialist and have served in a variety of roles in education for almost a decade. I enjoy experimenting in the media center and finding creative ways to promote reading. I am always eager to learn about the latest book series and technology trends that interest my student population. 

I officially completed my library media certification program at the University of West Georgia in 2020. After completing the program, I frequently sought opportunities to develop my skills outside of my studies. I have presented at various educational conferences, including the Georgia Library Media Association's Summer Institute and the Georgia Educational Technology Conference in College Park, Georgia. My session presentations focused on key areas, including digital literacy, Maker-Space tools, and using Artificial Intelligence to support literacy instruction. 

In 2024, I was selected to participate in one of the National Endowment for the Humanities' summer professional development programs for K-12 educators. The program was held at San Diego State University in the Comic Studies Department, where I did extensive research on how comics can be used in classroom instruction. I was chosen as one of the five participants to present our research studies at San Diego Comic Con, a comic book and entertainment media event held each year. 

My long-term goal has always been to secure a position as a Communications Coordinator or Instructional Technology Specialist. In 2025, I decided to pursue an Education Specialist in Media and Design and Instructional Technology after seeing a need for schools to have an in-house instructional technology expert at the school level. Lastly, with the shift in Artificial Intelligence in the academic space, I decided to develop my skills in technology to make myself a more experienced media professional and to continue to prepare my students to be 21st-century learners.