About+Mrs.+Adams




 * A little bit of my personal philosophy on teaching technology, with a nod to the best autobiographies out there...**

The generation that currently sits in our classrooms (digital natives) has come of age in a completely digital world, while many of us (digital immigrants) teaching these students did not. Who should adapt? The 30, who HAVE to be there, or the 1, who chooses to be there? The facts are indisputably laid out in the Home page's video. Technology is in the hands of our students, so why aren't we using it. The medium to reach them is available at no cost to the teacher, so why aren't we using it? Once the information is available online, students can access it anywhere, so why aren't we using it? You tell me.

When I first went to college, we were still typing term papers on typewriters. Yes, you read that correctly...typewriters! We went to the library to do research, took notes on college-rule paper, and submitted our work by handing it to the professor, hoping that he or she wasn't a total stickler for the rules and would ignore the minor corrections made with an ink pen. Fortunately, for my personal education into the world of computers and technology, I owned a business that was heavily dependent on the latest information regarding shipping routes and delivery times, so I was forced to learn all there was to know about keeping a small business network up and running, as well as all the Microsoft Office products that can keep a small business moving in the right direction. When the bottom line means the difference between paying your employees and not paying your employees during the lean months, you quickly learn how to fix computers cheaply, run wiring yourself, create your own invoices for accounts receivables, and depend on tech geek friends that knew more than you did to show you stuff. (Thanks, Morehart, if you ever read this!) You could say that I'm a graduate of the technology school of hard knocks. This knowledge, coupled with a Masters degree in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, has prepared me for the classroom, and enabled me to teach the subjects I am passionate about.

Fortunately, students coming out of college don't have to go to the hard knocks technology school. If their education is handled correctly, high school and college graduates should know more about technology that I do, and have a passion to learn more. To instill that passion in our students, we have to have the tools to teach them. Computers are essential to education today! It is crucial that we - teachers, parents, coaches, mentors - use the amazing tools we have to educate this generation of learners. As a School Administration Manager at Jeffersontown Elementary School, I saw a staff that was dedicated to starting this education as early as possible. Kindergarten students spent time in the computer lab learning basis computer skills. Third graders used software programs that I had never seen before. Fifth graders put presentations and digital stories together that would amaze and impress most business professionals. These skills are critical for our students to learn if they want to compete in a global environment. Technology can be incorporated into any content area without diminishing a subject, even if it is only the teacher using a Smart board to teach lessons and having the student come to the board and answer questions. We must invest in the future of our younger generations, and technology in education, used wisely, is a smart investment!

I was blessed to be nominated and receive the 2012 Outstanding New Career and Technical Educator award for Kentucky! The file below is the press release from the KACTE 2012 Summer Program:




 * Now, a little glimpse into my world outside of the classroom.**





Fun with Glogster, to show my team support:

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If you want to get to know me better, you will have to follow me @Adamsteaches or take my class!