Week 1

As this first week comes to an end I find myself feeling extremely optimistic, challenged and excited at the same time. The process of designing and implementing online instruction simply fascinates me. After taking many online courses from the student perspective, I almost feel like Dorothy pulling back the curtain. I am about to find out how the wizard really works! I look forward to being able to share my experiences as an educator with the educators of tomorrow. It is only through the generosity of many experienced teachers that I started out with support. It is my turn to pay it forward, so to speak.

When I retired in January I knew that I couldn’t physically continue to work in middle school and I knew that I could do the job in my sleep. The problem solving challenges of my early years had all been internalized and thinking was rarely required. This program allows me to step back to that time where I need to think and evaluate throughout the design, implementation, and reflection of instruction. Two added bonuses for me are the opportunity to work with you and the opportunity to teach about teaching writing, which I love.