The Timidly Techy Teacher

Despite my wariness of too much technology in the classroom, there are obviously technological tools I use frequently. I often like to show a little video that summarizes a topic, sets content to music, or interests my students in other ways. Sometimes I don't remember to use all the tools easily afforded to me when I'm showing these videos, though, and I reap the embarrassment from it. One day when we were doing a unit on Prophets, I decided I wanted to show my students a little video that summarized what was in each prophetic book starting with Isaiah. When it came time for class, I was clicking through the video to find Isaiah, and I started the video just a hair too soon.  "Song of Solomon is a big book all about how awesome love and sex are!!" the narrator boomed. My middle schoolers died.  I died. The principal who was observing the class died. And I learned that I should embed videos so I can easily start them from the exact point that I want them to start. :) ...

"My students are self-regulated, empathetic critical thinkers and life-long learners who know and choose to follow Jesus," I journaled. My cursor flashed blankly as my mind continued whirling. I had just completed my first year of teaching - well, sort of. I had been working as a teaching assistant for two years until a professor had finally coaxed me into working toward getting a teaching certificate. I had gotten a last minute position in a multi-grade school classroom helping a very busy teaching principal find some respite for his other responsibilities. I had been a whirlwind of growth and adventure being thrust into a classroom, full-time, by myself for the first time; but now with a little "summer reprieve" of my own, and upcoming school year to prepare for, and no traditional education to fall back on, I sat watching my cursor blink. What was I doing here? What was my purpose as a teacher? Who did I want to help my students become? Many have noted that wit...