Hello and welcome to me! My name is Jamie Short. I grew up in Fremont, NE and went to school at UNL (go Huskers!) I met my husband David there, and we've been married 10 years. Though I grew up about 40 miles from Omaha, I was never allowed to travel to Omaha, except with my parents. Who would have guessed this is where I would live and teach! I teach 7th grade reading at Norris Middle School, and have been there for all 9 years of my teaching career. I teach a reading intervention program called Read Right, and have done that for the last 3 years. Prior to that, I taught, what I call "regular reading", where we worked on reading skills and reading novels.
I feel the I am very technologically capable. I don't know that I really have the choice, as my husband is a software analyst and this is what goes on in my house. To get along, I pretty well have to be! I'm lucky, because I enjoy learning about technology and using it. Whenever I need something, I have my own personal tech support! Because of him, I've been exposed to the tech world, and my eyes have been opened. I've learned more and more about how to navigate and operate websites, computers, and programs over the years. I am fortunate because I have him. Whenever I want to do a project, or power point, or create a document and I don't know how, he's right there to help me. But he doesn't do it for me. He'll guide me, but he wants me to learn it and figure it out so that I can do it on my own without him. I am a PC person, mostly because of my husband since he is more or less anti-Apple. I haven't used a current Mac, but this is because of my husband. We use Office 2007 and run Windows 7. At school, we all have laptops that run Windows XP. Because my class is an intervention class and specific to the program, which doesn't allow for any deviation, I don't use technology in my class. I have no need for it. However, we all have an LCD projector, which is also why we have laptops. If I taught, and created lessons, I would also have a Smartboard in my class, that I would LOVE to have and use. I'm jealous of the other staff. If I could use technology, I would create power points, show videos/teacher tube videos for students. We have two mobile labs that are available for use, and I know I would be using them often!
I'm pursuing my master's degree because my friend Shelby, who is also in this program, called me and told me about the program. She asked me to do this with her, and I had talked about getting my master's for years, so this just made sense. We also finally had the money to afford it, and Peru's program is much cheaper than other colleges. I won't lie and say this was motivated purely out of the love of learning, because it wasn't. The opportunity and price were right, and I look forward to the increase in pay. It just happened to be the right time. I always wanted to get a masters in reading, but after learning the program that I teach, I'm glad that I didn't narrow my world to reading. Even though I don't have lessons to plan for, these classes have helped my teaching and my mindset. If, or when, I am no longer teaching the program that I do, the material that I've learned will be extremely beneficial. With every class, I put myself back into my shoes of planning lessons, and I can see where I need to improve and reflect on how I would do things now. I do enjoy learning, as I think all teachers do. Even though it'll be awhile, I'd like to get my middle level endorsement as well. Middle school is definitely where I belong.
Hi Jaime. That is wonderful that your friend Shelby brought you into the program. The degree will be door opening for you. How fortunate you are to have your own tech trainer in your house! Welcome to class!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you have someone to help you go through the program with. It's also great that you have your own support person in the house with you. I can't say that my husband is very tech savy. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all...Go Fremont!!!! I found someone else that has lived in the small town of Fremont! Also...that is awesome that you have a friend going through the program as well. I would love to be able to lean on someone for help that I know to ask questions. Looking at some assignments and having no idea what to do...it would be nice to have a friend to go over ideas with rather than being clueless.
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind mentioning me. Thanks to David, we've gotten out of a lot of pickles. Your blog is cool. I love the background. I think, even though your reading program is scripted, you should do some video book talks, or have the kids do them with the tools we've learned in this class.
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