Professional Growth Plan 

            I know where I have been, I know where I would like to be, yet I don’t know where I will end up. However, at the end of my journey, I want my path in life to serve as a roadmap for those who come after me. I consider that I have met meaningful people who have made an impact on my life and I have made an impact on them. “It's always great to engage with people. You never know who you can make an effect on. And I love interacting with the fans, hearing what they have to say, and joking around with them. Anytime I can reach out online and give encouragement, motivate people, be a better citizen, that's what it's all about, man.” Antonio Brown. I have this quote close to my heart and from Monday to Friday I share the thought of the day with my cohort.

            “The journey is never-ending. There's always gonna be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what's right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.” Antonio Brown. If I take a minute and think back on a period of my life where I was sitting still and didn’t have much to do - the answer is never. I grew in a very small town, in Honduras, where the latest technology available the year I was born was electricity. However, this did not stop our town’s people from developing and seeking continuous growth. My mother’s family are all great cooks and took advantage of those skills to open small restaurants around town to support the family. My father’s side of the family is economically stable and emigrated to the United States in search of the American dream. I have learned so much from the people in my hometown and continue to learn every time I visit; the town and the people continue to grow regardless of the challenges. From the day I was born, my mother knew that my journey in life was outside our little town. At a young age, my never-ending journey continued its path in the United States.

            My experiences and the people I have come across in life have given me so much and in this new journey of Educational Technology Leadership, I plan to give everything back to others. Whether I remain in the corporate world or transition into the educational field I want to make sure that I use my full potential to serve as a guide and transform others. Though I have never been exposed to a classroom setting I have always thought of myself as an educator. I never shy away from training someone or passing along knowledge. I am confident that my current field can use more leaders to educate future generations. I am sure that my current employer alone can benefit from having a leader in Education Technology who will set the standards for current and future employees. 

            The fact that I have a passion for giving back to the world by sharing my knowledge and learning doesn’t mean that I want to be a servant to the world. Nothing against being a servant leader after all Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “He who does not live to serve, does not deserve to live.” However, I am a believer that giving and transforming others has a greater impact. I have always identified with Transformational Leadership. According to Northouse (2015), “transformational leadership is a process that changes and transforms people. It is concerned with emotions, values, ethics, standards, and long-term goals. It includes assessing followers’ motives, satisfying their needs, and treating them as full human beings.” My goal is not just transforming others but also transforming myself along the way. Get exposed to new settings and take it all in!  

Academic and Professional Goals 2022 -2025 

2022-2023 

·      Began the Educational Technology Leadership Program. 

·      Completed the first year of ETL Program with GPA 3.98

·      Ran for a position on the Executive  Committee of NJCU’s Alumni Association. 

currently the vice chair 

·      Joined NYSCC Mentor Program and have two mentees before June 2023

·      Participated in one presentation or attend a conference.

  NJCU ED Tech Doctoral Web Series - Transforming Learning Through Use of Virtual Reality

2022-2023 

·      Recruit New Members for the NJCU Alumni Association unfortunately we had a change in leadership and as a committee, we paused the recruiting process. 

·      Became more involved in the educational field, by attending conferences, NJCU School activities. 

  ·      Presented Virtual Reality in Learning and Development for NEDLA

·      Engaged NJCU School of Business for lecture opportunities and open house activities.  

·      Seek opportunities in teaching and I was hired as an Adjunct professor at NJCU School of Business. 

2024-2025

·      Continue engaging in NJCU student activities to Recruit students during open house and admissions day. 

· Seek opportunities in teaching for the 2024-2025 School year. 

·      Seek further development in my current role by taking additional training. 

·      Develop Technology skills – web development, presentation platforms.

References 

Northouse, P. G. (2022). Leadership: Theory & Practice (9th ed.). Thousand Oaks, California, United

States of America: Sage.