Statement of Purpose
The best educators should be continuously searching for ways to improve instruction for
the benefit of their students. The use of technology in the classroom is just one way to help a
teacher accomplish this. As an employee of a one-to-one Chromebook school district, I began
seeking help and researching ways to incorporate technology into my lessons early in my career.
This desire to learn more also led me to pursue further higher education in Instructional
Technology. Although I have yet to be an official technology leader required to follow the ISTE-
Coaching standards, the knowledge gained through the University of Montevallo’s EdS in
Instructional Technology program has helped me as a teacher and leader in my school currently
and prepared me for technology leadership roles in the future.
The first of the International Society for Technology in Education standards that I feel is
a strength for me is standard four which is focused on designing learning. From my very first
year of teaching, I began to research ways to use technology in my class and seek help from my
mentor. I discovered ways to streamline my class activities using Google Classroom, use Google
rubric add-ons to provide feedback on writing, use websites to provide differentiated content
instruction, and allow students to create digital products to show their understanding. Throughout
my courses in Instructional Technology, I have built on this foundation and discovered a
multitude of tech tools for all content areas and learned to utilize Learning Management
Systems. This knowledge has been put to the test over the past year as I have taught virtually
during the Pandemic. I have also been able to use my knowledge to help my co-workers with the
task of virtual teaching as well.
Another standard that I have grown in during my Instructional Technology program is as
a professional learner facilitator. This standard involves creating professional learning based on
needs, creating active learning, and providing opportunities for feedback to improve trainings. I
have had the opportunity to use the ADDIE model to plan a training for my co-workers on
utilizing Canva to create instructional materials. From the small group training and feedback, I
was able to enter into a coaching relationship with one participant to help her continue learning
and growing in this area. Learning how to be a better coach also helped me be a mentor to a first-
year teacher as a part of my workplace duties this year.
A final ISTE standard that I have leadership experience in is data-driven decision
making. During the Instructional Technology program, candidates have the opportunity to
conduct action research in their schools. I decided to examine the effect that virtual learning has
had on parents’ attitudes towards technology. The process has been eye-opening and taught me
so much about how to conduct research, analyze data, interpret data, and determine areas for
future improvement. My action research project has helped me identify ways in which to
improve parent communication, technology use, and technology education for my students in the
future. This knowledge is something that can not only help me, but it can also help my 6th grade
team to make improvements in the coming school year.
Throughout the University of Montevallo’s program in Instructional Technology, I have
been able to learn how to better implement technology in my classroom and help those around
me to do the same. I have found ways to start being a leader in technology, rather than just a
participant, and I hope to be able to continue doing this in the future. Ultimately, I have learned
so much about integrating technology and being a technology leader, but I hope to remain aware
that there will always be more for me to learn and to commit to doing so in my career.
