TECHNOLOGY TOOLS
On the teacher workday in September 2020, I co-led a professional development session with the school's Library Media Specialist on selecting technology tools for Fuller's specialists teachers. The session focused on utilizing the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPaCK) and Delivery, Student Practice with Feedback, Assessment, and Productivity (DSAP) frameworks for proper technology integration, and provided the specialists ample opportunities to explore different tools and ask questions. The session, presented virtually, modeled the use of different tech tools as a way to deliver content (Google Slides), gather information (Mentimeter and Flipgrid), and use of student breakout rooms.
The specialists were receptive to the training, though they explained their short class periods dictate the amount of technology-integrated lessons. Our goal of the professional development session was to ensure participants understood their content and chosen instructional practices drive technology selected and not the technology driving the lesson. Professional Development Session Agenda |
|
EQUITY/DIVERSITY TEAM KICKOFF
|
Conversations with administration and staff members leading up to my internship involved increasing equity at Fuller. Staff recognize the school's focus should shift to equitable practices, but they struggled with identifying and implementing those practices. The administration established an Equity/Diversity Team during the 2019-20 school year, but the team quickly dissipated with the pandemic.
The 2-hour Equity/Diversity Team kickoff on the September teacher workday served as a grounding for interested staff to reflect on and define their why, begin to establish team purpose and goal, and learn the power of language when unpacking equity, equality, diversity, and inclusivity. With the use of breakout groups, participants had multiple opportunities to talk in small groups about their experiences at Fuller and want and need for change. Participants were introduced to the Groundwater Approach by reflecting on the well-intentioned systems and structures in place at Fuller that negatively impact students -- specifically students in historically marginalized groups. Surprised at first by the large turnout (24 staff members attended), I became filled with hope because staff see a need for this work and will make time to engage while navigating a new (and difficult) teaching structure. The Equity/Diversity Team will meet 1-2 times a month to continue creating goals, action steps, and learning together as a team. |