I am pursuing a Master’s in Educational Technology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), with an anticipated completion date of June 2025. My goal is to enhance my knowledge and skills to better support my teaching career. Given the rapid evolution of digital technology, I believe it is crucial to continually update my expertise to effectively engage and educate my students. I am eager to explore innovative opportunities that will challenge and inspire my students to achieve greater levels of understanding and success. 

MY EXPERIENCE BEFORE UTRGV...

Before I began taking courses at UTRGV, I taught technology at the middle school level for three years without prior background in the field. I realized that I didn't feel adequately prepared or up-to-date with today’s technology advancements, and I was eager to improve in my role. While I was familiar with Microsoft Office 2016 and Google, I knew there was much more to explore and learn to better educate my students. My goal was to enhance my skills and knowledge in technology to become a more effective teacher and ensure students receive the quality education they deserve. I felt driven to make a greater impact in my career and sought to fill any gaps in my professional development. 

I had no idea that AI tools were being integrated into education or how they even functioned. I assumed they were simply part of a new, popular gaming platform that students were excited about. It wasn’t until I started hearing more about them from both my children and students that I realized there was more to these tools than I thought. The students were often hesitant to share specific details with me, likely because they feared getting into trouble for possibly using the tools inappropriately or for cheating. This made me realize there was a lot more to learn about AI and its role in the classroom, and I felt it was important to understand how these technologies were impacting education.

MY EXPERIENCE DURING AT UTRGV...

Throughout my courses at UTRGV, I’ve gained valuable insights that I can immediately apply to my teaching. One of the most significant takeaways has been the integration of AI into the classroom. I thought AI was just a buzzword or a tool for specialized fields, but these courses have shown me how AI can transform education. I’ve explored various AI tools and platforms recommended by my professors and classmates, which has broadened my perspective on their educational potential, from lesson planning to student assessments.

To deepen my understanding of AI in education, I attended a training session titled "Instructional Technology Leadership Academy: AI in Education." This session gave me a closer look at AI tools, such as chatbots and Gemini, that are increasingly being integrated into educational platforms. However, I encountered a challenge: my campus restricts student access to AI tools. While this limits how I can use these tools with students, I can still benefit as a teacher by using AI to create lesson plans, rubrics, and assessments, which streamline the administrative side of teaching and allow me more time for student interaction.

In a course, I was tasked with creating several videos of my work. One of the challenges I faced was recording my voice, as being hard of hearing means I don’t always pronounce some words clearly. Fortunately, one of my professors suggested using a platform to help with voiceovers. Since then, I’ve been using Clipchamp, which has been incredibly helpful in allowing me to complete my work without stress or worry. I’ve used it in all my courses with the professors’ permission. I’ve learned to use it to support my class, particularly for assignments or tests that require reading, such as the listening skills section of the UIL event.

In another course, I was tasked with earning a certification, and I was surprised by the variety of options available. These certifications provide access to tools that enhance my teaching. For example, I chose to pursue certification through Code.org because I’m responsible for teaching coding. Code.org offers a wealth of resources, including structured lessons and interactive activities that I used with my 7th-grade students. They enjoyed the lessons, and it sparked enthusiasm for coding. However, some challenges arose, as my students didn’t have access to certain external tools, such as YouTube or Google Forms, which I had planned to use. This required me to find workarounds to ensure the lessons were still effective, and I’ve learned to carefully evaluate available resources to ensure accessibility.

I’ve also earned certifications in Google Educator Level 1 and Level 2, which have opened new professional opportunities, including connecting with other teachers on campus. These certifications have positioned me as a resource, helping my colleagues integrate Google tools into their classrooms. Another valuable certification has been in Canva, which has proven to be a game-changer in my district. Canva allows me to quickly create custom learning materials and presentations, enhancing both the creative quality of my lessons and my efficiency. Teachers in my district have found it incredibly useful, and students love using it for projects, especially because they can integrate music into their presentations, making their work more dynamic and engaging.

As part of my coursework, I created an e-portfolio using Google Sites. Initially, I was unsure how to build an effective site, but I quickly discovered that the platform was more user-friendly than I expected. I experimented with different layouts and design options, and even used Canva to create custom graphics that enhanced the site's overall appearance. Throughout the semester, I created several Google Sites, including some for use in my own classroom. This experience has boosted my confidence in using the tool. I even taught my 8th-grade students how to use Google Sites so they could begin developing their own portfolios and business pages for future careers. The students were excited, and many are eager to create their own websites. 

During one of my courses, I was assigned a project that required me to submit a proposal describing an instructional or training problem within a real-world learning environment. I immediately thought of challenges I’ve encountered on my own campus. Teaching all 6th through 8th grade students in Technology for just one semester is difficult. There simply isn’t enough time to cover the skills students need. I realized I needed to develop a plan to address this issue. As I worked on the project, it helped me expand my thinking and identify specific areas where middle school students need more support. By the end of the course, my new principal began asking me about the Technology class and my goals for the program. Thanks to the work I completed in this course, I was well-prepared to share a clear vision. My principal was impressed with the direction I proposed, and I’m hopeful that I can help improve the Technology course to provide students with a more meaningful and effective educational experience. 

Looking ahead, I am increasingly motivated to pursue a leadership role in education, specifically as a technology director. My district currently lacks a technology director, but I see this as an opportunity to step up and help integrate technology more effectively. Technology plays a central role in today’s world, and I am passionate about raising awareness of its importance in the classroom, ensuring that both students and teachers have the resources they need to succeed in a technology-driven educational environment.

LESSONS LEARNED AT UTRGV...

Looking back, I wish I had asked about the available courses for each module earlier in the semester. If I had done so, it would have given me a clearer understanding of what to expect and helped me set more realistic and achievable goals. Initially, I had planned to graduate in May, but I now realize that was not feasible due to some unexpected challenges along the way. As a result, I have adjusted my timeline and will be able to graduate in June instead. This extra time provides me with the opportunity to complete my coursework thoroughly and successfully. By making this adjustment, I feel more in control and less stressed, knowing that I have more time to ensure that everything is completed to the best of my ability. Moving forward, I will be more proactive about gathering all the necessary information at the start of each module, so I can stay on track and meet my future goals without unnecessary delays.

When taking courses, it is essential to stay organized and disciplined. One of the most effective strategies is to take things one day at a time, breaking down tasks into manageable pieces. It is also important to maintain open communication with professors throughout the semester. By seeking feedback on projects and assignments, I can ensure that I am on the right track and meeting expectations. Most importantly, consistently updating my e-portfolio as I progress is crucial, as it allows me to reflect on my work and showcase my growth over time.

Throughout this process, I have also learned the importance of being patient with my professors, especially when it comes to receiving feedback. One of my professors often takes 4-6 days to provide feedback, while most others respond within two days. Although it can be frustrating at times, I have realized that I need to adjust my approach and manage my expectations. To handle this, I have started planning and completing my assignments well in advance, allowing plenty of time for any potential revisions or adjustments before final submission. This proactive approach not only gives me peace of mind but also ensures that I am able to incorporate feedback in a timely manner, which is crucial for my growth and development. Receiving feedback boosts my confidence, as it reassures me that my work is on the right track and fully meets the requirements.

In addition to time management, I have learned that careful planning is especially important because of my busy life at home with my family. Balancing family responsibilities with coursework can be challenging, but staying organized and keeping track of deadlines helps prevent unnecessary stress. To ensure that I stay on top of assignments, I use a notebook with a calendar to mark the due dates for projects, discussions, and other important tasks. This method helps me stay focused and keeps me from forgetting deadlines. When posting discussions, I sometimes encounter situations where there are no responses or not enough posts to reply to. In those cases, I make a note on the discussion board to confirm whether I have replied or not. If I do not stay organized and keep track of my tasks, I tend to second-guess myself and overthink whether I have completed everything correctly. This adds unnecessary stress to my workload and could hinder my ability to stay focused on what truly matters.

Overall, these lessons have helped me become more organized and intentional in my approach to my coursework. By staying proactive, communicating effectively, and planning ahead, I am setting myself up for success not only in my current courses but also in achieving my long-term academic and career goals.

FUTURE GOALS

Since beginning my courses at UTRGV, I have become increasingly motivated to advance my career and grow as an educator. I plan to attend additional workshops focused on emerging technologies and how to integrate AI into the classroom. By staying up-to-date with the latest developments and continuing to refine my skills, I aim to create a more engaging and dynamic learning environment for my students.

Upon completing my courses, my goal is to share my knowledge of technology, such as Google tools and Canvas, with my colleagues and take on a leadership role in this area on campus. I aim to introduce Clipchamp to those who spend significant time recording their voices, as it can be a valuable tool for students who need to listen during tests or assignments. I am deeply committed to providing students with the highest quality education. I am passionate about inspiring students to embrace technology and fostering a greater enthusiasm for learning.

Creating an e-portfolio has been a valuable experience in showcasing my skills and accomplishments. As I reflect on the development of my e-portfolio, I recognize that I could not have completed it without the support and guidance of my professors and classmates. Their feedback and encouragement have been crucial in shaping my work and enhancing my growth throughout this process.

Looking ahead, I plan to pursue further training in AI tools and explore how to effectively integrate them into both my classroom and the broader campus community. I am eager to find more opportunities for my students to gain hands-on experience with AI tools, helping them develop the critical thinking and technical skills they will need to succeed in the future. By continuing to invest in my own growth and guiding my students in their technological development, I hope to help prepare them for the demands of a rapidly changing world.