Engage+in+Professional+Growth+and+Leadership


 * Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership**

Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers:
 * a. || participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning. ||
 * b. || exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others. ||
 * c. || evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning. ||
 * d. || contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community. ||

//Reflection Number 1 (E-tech Conference)//


 * Description:** The tech conference is held each year in Columbus and I have been lucky enough to actually be selected to travel down to Columbus to attend the conference, albeit for one day. Although the presentations are often a key component to the event, the vendor area is one of best opportunities for teachers and school administration to attend, too. The vendors often have free materials to give or a chance to win. Our school district was won several big ticket items, including a set of Turning Point Clickers. Professional Development is a big focus because teachers need to feel comfortable implementing new technologies in the classroom.


 * Impact:** Educators are given the opportunity to learn new practices or learn new ideas to established practices to better use technology in the classroom. Educators may learn ideas for instilling social networking into their classrooms, perhaps to to implement Ipods for educational purposes, or maybe even learn how to create a paperless classroom. Regardless, the conference gives teachers a peek into the future of education.


 * Intent:** The intent of the conference is to introduce and/or help educators instill technology within their classrooms. Teachers may also learn of inexpensive ideas if financial constraints hinder a school district.

//Artifact Link Number 1 (E-tech Conference) http://www.etech.ohio.gov/conference///

//Reflection Number 2 (TCCSA **Professional Development**)//


 * // Description: //**// TCCSA provides a great deal of resources for a variety of school districts. Aside from creating an online grade book, TCCSA also provides numerous opportunities for professional development. My district is fortunate enough to be able to take part in a vast number of those resources. In particular, my district uses professional development quite frequently. Teachers in my district are afforded to different opportunities at staff development. TCCSA will send representatives to our school and introduce technology to the staff or we can travel to the Wooster, Ohio branch and go through training sessions on an individual need basis. //


 * // Impact: //**// TCCSA is great because they offer many services in terms of technology resources. Some current examples TCCSA is offering is a class on the development of Jeopardy games using PowerPoint and they are offering training sessions for establishing Moodle in the classroom. TCCSA typically offer technologies that are pretty easy to implement in the classroom allowing many teachers of all skill abilities an opportunity to use technology in the classroom. //


 * // Intent: //**// The intent of professional development is quite simple, to become more fluent and confident using newer technologies in the classroom. //

//Artifact Link Number 2 (TCCSA **Professional Development**) http://www.tccsa.net/pd.aspx//