About me
My name is Kristina Brenner, and I am so thrilled to be pursuing a future in Educational Technology!
I am currently halfway through my fifth year of teaching. In my five years, I have taught 6th/7th grade science, kindergarten, and first grade. I currently teach at LaGrange Highlands Elementary School, District 106. I loved all the grades I taught, but my niche is first grade. The students are so excited about everything we learn; their passion is contagious! My ultimate professional goal is to be a digital learning coach, but I do love teaching first grade!
My previous school district initiated a 1:1 pilot a few years ago. Only a handful of teachers throughout the district were involved in the initiation; I was proud to be one of those few teachers. I was lucky enough to have a class set of iPads, which I definitely prefer for students at the lower elementary level. After experimenting with Chromebooks and iPads, I believe that developmentally, iPads are much more "user-friendly" at this age (see below for "funny moment").
My current school district has implemented a 2:1 iPad to student initiative. I am finding that this does add a challenge in consistently implementing the devices; however, it has been fairly simple to either have students share or borrow another classroom's set of iPads.
I feel comfortable with the implementation of technology. My previous school had an incredible digital coach who encouraged me to integrate technology in the most meaningful ways. She is still my daily inspiration, and the reason I began taking USF courses. My most significant EdTech experience was taking risks throughout the 1:1 pilot; our digital coach was my biggest support through this. She motivated me to push the envelope, and create new ways to accomplish day-to-day lessons and activities. For example, I will never approach assessments in the same way. Instead of consistently assessing the traditional way of our team (paper/pencil), she encouraged me to take risks, give students authentic assessment opportunities, and find new ways to teach and learn. The encouragement and support of our digital learning coach will always guide me to follow my dreams, whether that means continuing as a first grade teacher, or pursuing a career as a digital learning coach.
My funniest EdTech moment took place while teaching kindergarten, and exposing them to Chromebooks for the first time. Many of my kindergarteners did not have experience using a mouse. Because of this, a student wrongly had the impression that the mouse would keep him in his desk if he held on tightly, similar to a lap bar on a roller coaster. Unfortunately, with intention to get the curser to the other side of the screen, he moved the mouse with a bit too much oomph, causing his hand and mouse to propel off his desk, which inevitably led to him falling out of his chair. Perplexed, he sat up, and learned his lesson; the mouse will not keep him secured to his chair. After this moment, I realized that iPads, due to a simpler touch-screen function, was more appropriate for my students.
I am very grateful to be an educator in today's world of 21st century learners; however, in order to maintain effective and meaningful teaching practicing, I strongly believe that I still have a lot to learn! This is what I hope to achieve in my upcoming coursework - an applicable and significant wealth of knowledge that I can directly apply to my current classroom, and future opportunities.
I am currently halfway through my fifth year of teaching. In my five years, I have taught 6th/7th grade science, kindergarten, and first grade. I currently teach at LaGrange Highlands Elementary School, District 106. I loved all the grades I taught, but my niche is first grade. The students are so excited about everything we learn; their passion is contagious! My ultimate professional goal is to be a digital learning coach, but I do love teaching first grade!
My previous school district initiated a 1:1 pilot a few years ago. Only a handful of teachers throughout the district were involved in the initiation; I was proud to be one of those few teachers. I was lucky enough to have a class set of iPads, which I definitely prefer for students at the lower elementary level. After experimenting with Chromebooks and iPads, I believe that developmentally, iPads are much more "user-friendly" at this age (see below for "funny moment").
My current school district has implemented a 2:1 iPad to student initiative. I am finding that this does add a challenge in consistently implementing the devices; however, it has been fairly simple to either have students share or borrow another classroom's set of iPads.
I feel comfortable with the implementation of technology. My previous school had an incredible digital coach who encouraged me to integrate technology in the most meaningful ways. She is still my daily inspiration, and the reason I began taking USF courses. My most significant EdTech experience was taking risks throughout the 1:1 pilot; our digital coach was my biggest support through this. She motivated me to push the envelope, and create new ways to accomplish day-to-day lessons and activities. For example, I will never approach assessments in the same way. Instead of consistently assessing the traditional way of our team (paper/pencil), she encouraged me to take risks, give students authentic assessment opportunities, and find new ways to teach and learn. The encouragement and support of our digital learning coach will always guide me to follow my dreams, whether that means continuing as a first grade teacher, or pursuing a career as a digital learning coach.
My funniest EdTech moment took place while teaching kindergarten, and exposing them to Chromebooks for the first time. Many of my kindergarteners did not have experience using a mouse. Because of this, a student wrongly had the impression that the mouse would keep him in his desk if he held on tightly, similar to a lap bar on a roller coaster. Unfortunately, with intention to get the curser to the other side of the screen, he moved the mouse with a bit too much oomph, causing his hand and mouse to propel off his desk, which inevitably led to him falling out of his chair. Perplexed, he sat up, and learned his lesson; the mouse will not keep him secured to his chair. After this moment, I realized that iPads, due to a simpler touch-screen function, was more appropriate for my students.
I am very grateful to be an educator in today's world of 21st century learners; however, in order to maintain effective and meaningful teaching practicing, I strongly believe that I still have a lot to learn! This is what I hope to achieve in my upcoming coursework - an applicable and significant wealth of knowledge that I can directly apply to my current classroom, and future opportunities.