Every person is on a different educational journey, but I waited a while before deciding to get my masters degree. There was a time period in the early stages of my career where I wasn’t really sure education was the right path for me anymore and I even applied for jobs in other fields. While wrestling with those ideas, I still came back to the idea of not being able to see myself in any other work situation and the rewarding feeling that comes with the ‘lightbulb’ sensation when students learn. I have always had a strong interest in technology and when I ultimately decided to further my education, I decided on the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) program through Michigan State University (MSU). From my initial goals laid out in my MAET application, I wanted a program that would “help me enhance my technology skill set and and assist me in shaping my thinking for best use of technology within my classroom and for my students” and the MAET program more than delivered. In my application I felt strongly committed to wanting to discover more about the purposeful use of technology in a classroom and not using technology just for technology's sake. We made a video in the first week of the Hybrid Year One Program (linked below!) about our belief statements regarding technology and education. I still believe that everything I expressed in the video is true and MAET has given me the resources and tools to help. The courses I have taken over the last two years have been extremely enjoyable and engaging. I feel I have broadened my views of using educational technology and even reshaped what I view as technology in the classroom. MAET has shown me how to plan engaging, purposeful lessons that incorporate technology, the theories behind using technology in the classroom and with learners and how to view learning and education with a fresh, new lens. In my mind, education has evolved and changed rapidly in the last few years, even since completing my undergraduate degree in 2012.
Approaching the end of the MAET program, I feel like I have achieved a certain level of understanding regarding my initial goals for this program. I also believe my goals have been expanded and in some ways have become more clear to me regarding what avenues in education I want to pursue in the future. Prior to starting this program I considered myself a hard worker and a good team player in my department and on the staff at my high school, but not necessarily a teacher leader. MAET helped me develop my confidence and gave me skills to articulate myself and assist in educating my peers and coworkers in best practices, ideas and uses of technology in schools and with students. I found that I love working with students, but I also love working with my coworkers and fellow educators to help them find their ‘lightbulb’ moments with technology. March of 2020 brought a very stressful, unprecedented time in the world and in education. School districts began to heavily lean on technology tools, teachers and the internet to get instruction to students in a new mode. While this time was a struggle for everyone (and still is), for me, it cemented that working with teachers and technology is my ideal next step. I am so thankful for all the lessons I have learned with MAET and looking forward to more opportunities to learn and engage with others about technology as I move through my career!