Yesterday at our teacher inservice we were discussing how many things in education have changed over the last ten years or so. There have been changes in the way we deliver instruction, the way we set up our classrooms, and in the expectations for student learning. But perhaps one of the biggest changes impacting the classroom today is the integration and use of technology.

I am by no means a digital native. I am coming along in my understanding and use of technology, but I have quite a lot to learn. However, my journey with technology has brought about many changes in the way I teach and learn. Just a few years ago I remember being saddened to think that books were going to be available on a digital device. Not for me, I thought. I need to have the feel of the book in my hand and be able to turn the pages. I am now on my third Kindle, so change in thinking is possible.

Recently I discovered a neat app called Pocket. It allows me to download articles and store them for future reading when I have more time, like waiting in the doctor’s office or even standing in line at the grocery store. This week I read articles on conferring, ideas for writing poetry, and the importance of nurturing curiosity and creativity in young minds.

Last November I was totally mesmerized by all the tweeting going on at the NCTE Conference. It was amazing to me how everyone was so connected and learning from each other in new ways. I felt as if I were missing out on something important! Since I am not able to attend the IRA Conference next week, I wanted a way to stay in touch with the hottest new ideas and share in the excitement and new thinking going on. So, just this week, I joined Twitter. I wouldn’t say I jumped in with both feet, but my toes are definitely getting wet. I haven’t actually tweeted yet, but I have been following a few people, and I hope to learn more as I go along. (By the way, if you have any tips, please let me know.)

Change can be difficult. Often we get comfortable in the way we’ve always done things because it’s always worked out fine. But it’s important to stretch, take a few risks, and continue to grow. It’s important for us as well as our students. Best of all, it can be exciting!

I’m preparing to speak to a group of college juniors this week who are being inducted into a reading honor society, so I spent much of the morning reflecting on my journey as an educator and author (the topic I was asked to speak about.) I thought it very fitting since I chose “reflect” as my one little word for 2012 (see blog post from 1/11). I started searching through some old pictures and files and came across something I wrote in 1995 as part of a course I was taking:

            Over the past several years I have experienced a great deal of professional growth. But, there are 
    many more books to read, changes to make, and children to help grow in literacy. Sometimes I feel I 
    have started down a never-ending road where the journey is exciting, sometimes surprising, and always 
    inwardly rewarding. One thing I have learned from the professionals is that becoming an effective teacher 
    takes time. I will continue to read, reflect, and learn from others.

I wrote that seventeen years ago, twenty three years after starting my teaching career, and I feel the same way today. Even though I have been in the field for a long time, in many ways I know I have only scratched the surface of what there is to learn. Working with and sharing ideas with teachers, as well as reading and writing professionally have helped shape who I am as an educator, but there is always more to learn. The electronic world has definitely opened up new avenues of learning for me, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge in that area.

So, to all of you out there who have played or will play a part in my never-ending journey, I thank you. I’ve still got “miles to go before I sleep.”