Last Tuesday, 55 technology coaches from around the state of Wisconsin gathered at Marian University for a Technology Coaching Academy. The purpose of this cadre is to provide ongoing support and networking opportunities for technology coaches. We provide a place to share, ask questions, and network with a group of like-minded educators. The morning was filled with endless opportunities for informal education.
Since Tuesday, I have been reflecting on the session. I've discovered that these are the opportunities that I truly love! Of course, I enjoy teaching my formal classes but, there is a distinct beauty in informal education. My passion in education is being able to interact and connect with educators in the K12 setting. I am constantly in search of ways that we can bridge the gap between K12 and higher education to assist one another in our practice. I was discussing this reflection with a close friend and colleague, Malia Hoffmann, @optimistmalia. She said, "Teaching gets us the job, but the connections are most important." This is so true, our positions in higher education have enabled us to pursue connections with so many wonderful people.
I am so fortunate to be in the position I am in to be able to spend time organizing and facilitating groups like the Technology Coaching Academy, EdCamp, and other informal educational opportunities. Higher education affords the ability to dig deep into research, conduct research, refine practice, and assist others in ways I never imagined. I've spent a lot of time pondering the ways that this Technology Coaching Academy can be expanded, researched, and shared with the masses to make a larger impact. The possibilities are endless, I will be devouring literature on coaching and passing along the information to our technology coaching network. I look forward to the journey.
