User Support Specialist Twin Ridges Elementary Frederick County

"I am technology and I love it!"

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How did you get involved with the field of education?
In 1986 I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and less than 2 years later a very handsome son. As a strong believer that education starts at home you could say that those two little miracles became the cause of my involvement. Time passed so quickly and the school system took my two little darlings away and I had a terrible adjustment to overcome. So I plunged in with both feet, volunteered in the classroom, became involved in all levels of PTA including serving as PTA President in their elementary school and middle school. When my youngest son was in the fourth grade, principal Emily Sines from Twin Ridge Elementary called and asked me to apply for a job in the computer lab. I had been going to school to finish a degree as a computer hardware/software specialist and she thought this would be a great job for me since I had shown a great love for children and would soon be seeking a job in the technology field.


Describe your current position
My job responsibilities are as follows:

1.	Maintain, troubleshoot and repair the Computer/Network System
2.	Create and Maintain the School Website
3.	Created and Maintain a database of technology Lessons for Grade K-5
4.	Hold training sessions for the Teaching Staff
5.	Assist in all levels of technology throughout the school
6.	Assist teaching staff to implement technology to students and in the classroom

What role does technology play in your position?
I feel that I am the backbone or cheerleader of technology in my school. I have created it, enhanced it and even shoved it down some throats (sometimes). I have defended it, praised it and so bottom line is, technology doesn’t play a role in my position. I am technology and I love it!


How can technology improve student achievement?
Technology improves student achievement in so many ways. When students leave Twin Ridge they know the following: Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel, they have created a WebPage, surfed the internet (directed sights and student safe search engines), made a brochure and cards in Publisher, they feel comfortable on a computer. They feel comfortable enough to create classy projects when they go to middle school. I have had students return to Twin Ridge to thank me for teaching them powerpoint and to show me a project that they have received an “A” grade. One young lady’s powerpoint was so wonderful that her teacher wanted to share it with other 6th grade teachers throughout the county. So, technology improves student achievement because it is fun for students and technology is what our world demands to be in today’s competitive job market. You can not survive in college today if you do not know, understand and feel comfortable with technology.


What tips or advice would you give to teachers about integrating technology into the classroom?
Sometimes technology can be scary! My tips to teachers would be the following:

1.	Jump in with both feet! Don’t be afraid that you will break something.
2.	In the long run, technology will make your life easier, with grade programs and a database of lessons.
3.	Take as many classes that you can to enhance your technology skills.
4.	And last, if you have good technology available to you, use it and if you don’t beg for it, beg really hard!