Michelle Shimmin
Education Technology Specialist, Canyons District eMINTS Affiliate Trainer [email protected] |
I began my journey as a classroom teacher in the fall of 1992! I know! So long ago! I originally wanted to be a lawyer, but when I discovered I was going to have my first child, I realized I didn't want to be away from her all the time that would be required to become a lawyer. As such, I decided I would become an educator, and when my kids were a little older, I would go back to law school. Well? Here I am! 26 years later, and I am NOT a lawyer! I was in the classroom for 23 of those 26 years. I left the classroom three years ago to become an Education Technology coach for Canyons School District, and here I am on my journey to become an eMINTS Affiliate Trainer.
I BELIEVE my role as an eMINTS Affiliate Trainer is to coach my teachers to use technology effectively and efficiently in their practice. I choose the word "coach" because I believe that I can be instrumental in assisting my teachers to reach an end goal. It is important for me to meet my teachers where they are. They have so many skills that may need to be "coached" out so that my teachers can do what is best for the students they teach. It is my job to facilitate professional development to support my teachers, as well as conduct classroom observations to provide feedback on the skills and information that is taught in this professional development. eMINTS affords me the opportunity to do this in an engaging and productive way.
Some EXPERIENCES that have led me to this role have been numerous. After about ten years as a classroom teacher, I was asked to take on an additional role as a Consulting Educator. This was in addition to my regular teaching schedule, but also came with a stipend. I am so grateful for this opportunity, as it was my first experience to coaching. It was with this job that I learned how to share my expertise with first year teachers, as well as learn from each of the teachers I worked with, as well as working with adults for the first time. All the lessons I learned were invaluable. When Jordan School District split into two different districts, my job as a Consulting Educator was over; however, I was asked to become a New Teacher Mentor for my school. Again, this was an experience in which I was able to expand my skill set as a coach, as well as working with teachers to help facilitate their best practices. Finally, these coaching experiences, coupled with my love for technology, led me to leave the classroom and pursue a career in Educational Technology.
Many of the STRENGTHS that have been most helpful in my current role is my ability to problem-solve. I enjoy the challenge of recognizing a change that is needed and researching how to best enact that change. I see my Education Technology Coaching role as a leadership position that has given me the opportunity to be an innovator. I also have a knack for being a good listener and then reflecting what I hear. These two strengths have been invaluable in my coaching experience. Finally, I am an organizer. In fact, I love to organize! I have found that this has been helpful, especially since my job has many facets, and I have had to learn quickly to prioritize.
As I move forward as an Affiliate TRAINER, my best hopes are to help facilitate a cohesive group of educators, whose main goal is to do what is best for kids. I love beginning and cultivating relationships, and my hope is that I will make a few life-long friends as we progress on this journey, together.
I BELIEVE my role as an eMINTS Affiliate Trainer is to coach my teachers to use technology effectively and efficiently in their practice. I choose the word "coach" because I believe that I can be instrumental in assisting my teachers to reach an end goal. It is important for me to meet my teachers where they are. They have so many skills that may need to be "coached" out so that my teachers can do what is best for the students they teach. It is my job to facilitate professional development to support my teachers, as well as conduct classroom observations to provide feedback on the skills and information that is taught in this professional development. eMINTS affords me the opportunity to do this in an engaging and productive way.
Some EXPERIENCES that have led me to this role have been numerous. After about ten years as a classroom teacher, I was asked to take on an additional role as a Consulting Educator. This was in addition to my regular teaching schedule, but also came with a stipend. I am so grateful for this opportunity, as it was my first experience to coaching. It was with this job that I learned how to share my expertise with first year teachers, as well as learn from each of the teachers I worked with, as well as working with adults for the first time. All the lessons I learned were invaluable. When Jordan School District split into two different districts, my job as a Consulting Educator was over; however, I was asked to become a New Teacher Mentor for my school. Again, this was an experience in which I was able to expand my skill set as a coach, as well as working with teachers to help facilitate their best practices. Finally, these coaching experiences, coupled with my love for technology, led me to leave the classroom and pursue a career in Educational Technology.
Many of the STRENGTHS that have been most helpful in my current role is my ability to problem-solve. I enjoy the challenge of recognizing a change that is needed and researching how to best enact that change. I see my Education Technology Coaching role as a leadership position that has given me the opportunity to be an innovator. I also have a knack for being a good listener and then reflecting what I hear. These two strengths have been invaluable in my coaching experience. Finally, I am an organizer. In fact, I love to organize! I have found that this has been helpful, especially since my job has many facets, and I have had to learn quickly to prioritize.
As I move forward as an Affiliate TRAINER, my best hopes are to help facilitate a cohesive group of educators, whose main goal is to do what is best for kids. I love beginning and cultivating relationships, and my hope is that I will make a few life-long friends as we progress on this journey, together.