Kara SmitTechnology Instruction Coordinator
North Palos District 117 |
Background Information About MeWelcome to my website. I am a Technology Instruction Coordinator at North Palos School District #117. This is my sixth year as a Technology Instruction Coordinator. Prior to this leadership position, I was a 6th grade science teacher in the district. I have developed my passion for integrating technology in the classroom from my experiences integrating technology in the classroom and experiencing how student learning can be transformed with new learning opportunities. These experiences were enhanced in my last year of teaching when my students had 1:1 Chromebook devices in my classroom. Once I experienced the ways that technology can transform learning I wanted to share these resources with others and help other teachers use technology effectively in their classrooms.
My philosophy of education coincides with a quote I heard from Heidi Hayes Jacobs that states, "Teachers need to integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum instead of viewing it as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event." Very often I hear teachers talk about not having time to use technology because it takes away their time for teaching the lesson. One of my objectives in my Technology Instruction Coordinator position is to help my fellow educators see that integrating technology into the lesson should not take away from reaching the curricular goals, but instead it should be embedded in the lesson to help enhance and transform student learning. I am continually looking for ways to support the teachers as they develop lessons that can enhance student learning by integrating technology. |
My Philosophy of Technology IntegrationI believe that...
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My Teaching & Technology ExperienceTechnology Instruction Coordinator 2015 – Present
North Palos School District 117 6th & 8th Grade Science Teacher 2006 – 2015 Conrady Junior High Technology & Curriculum Committees 2006 - Present North Palos School District 117 My EducationInstructional Technology Specialist Endorsement August 2016
Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois. Masters in Science Education August 2011 Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois. Bachelors of Art in Education June 2006 Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois. |