One of my greatest mentors I met through Skype, then followed him through Google+ and Twitter. John Mikton was my first inspiring mentor in several years, after Jan Segerstrom, the instructional technology coach that was my first mentor in the realm of technology back in 2007. She's the real reason I'm now a tech integrator, and I love my job.
My principal had met John at a conference and because I was working on technology integration alignment with our curriculum, my principal introduced us back in 2010. Find John's blog here https://beyonddigital.org/about/ and follow him at @jmikton or +jmikton.
I went to one of the first ever AppsEvents featuring Google for Education in Europe, I believe it was their second event, which was in Prague during my first year as a technology integration specialist in Zurich. After that I was changed; I saw the world in a new way. I was not on Twitter, or Google+ or any social media that didn't have to do with my family. Until I met John.
I was inspired. I visited the International School of Prague the day before the conference began and was stunned and amazing at this school. One to one with Macbooks, but that didn't mean that kids didn't actually read real paper books. Quite the contrary, technology was used purposefully, not just because they had it.
Through a series of events, and a lot more contact through Skype, Twitter, Google+ and John's blog, I became not only a fan, but was inspired to do something different, risky, insightful. And it wasn't about the technology. It never is. It was about relationships. It was about connecting with people, near and far, and doing what is best for students by providing the best teaching and learning. I don't think he ever said it outright, but he exuded that sentiment. Without relationships, we have nothing.
I was alone in this job somewhat. I was the first tech integrator in my school, and the only other integrators I knew were across the valley and my connection to them was not exactly encouraged. The only way I was able to make my new position work, to grow into and develop it, was to reach out to my new PLN through social media. That was all I needed as a catalyst.
It took two years, but with much support, we mapped how we were integrating technology into each curricular unit, grades k-5. Without the support and encouragement of my mentor John while teaching abroad, I'm not sure how it would have turned out. As a result, I now regularly create PD sessions for my teachers, present at Google for Education conferences, and am an Google Certified Educator and Trainer.
That original encouragement continues today as I transform my thinking while reading the Innovator's Mindset by George Couros and participating in #IMMOOC number 3, yet another very important mentor in my teaching career, as well as all of those mooc-ers George pulls into this amazing space.
Relationships and collaboration have proven to be crucial to my innovation and I'm so grateful for it!
My principal had met John at a conference and because I was working on technology integration alignment with our curriculum, my principal introduced us back in 2010. Find John's blog here https://beyonddigital.org/about/ and follow him at @jmikton or +jmikton.
I went to one of the first ever AppsEvents featuring Google for Education in Europe, I believe it was their second event, which was in Prague during my first year as a technology integration specialist in Zurich. After that I was changed; I saw the world in a new way. I was not on Twitter, or Google+ or any social media that didn't have to do with my family. Until I met John.
I was inspired. I visited the International School of Prague the day before the conference began and was stunned and amazing at this school. One to one with Macbooks, but that didn't mean that kids didn't actually read real paper books. Quite the contrary, technology was used purposefully, not just because they had it.
Through a series of events, and a lot more contact through Skype, Twitter, Google+ and John's blog, I became not only a fan, but was inspired to do something different, risky, insightful. And it wasn't about the technology. It never is. It was about relationships. It was about connecting with people, near and far, and doing what is best for students by providing the best teaching and learning. I don't think he ever said it outright, but he exuded that sentiment. Without relationships, we have nothing.
I was alone in this job somewhat. I was the first tech integrator in my school, and the only other integrators I knew were across the valley and my connection to them was not exactly encouraged. The only way I was able to make my new position work, to grow into and develop it, was to reach out to my new PLN through social media. That was all I needed as a catalyst.
It took two years, but with much support, we mapped how we were integrating technology into each curricular unit, grades k-5. Without the support and encouragement of my mentor John while teaching abroad, I'm not sure how it would have turned out. As a result, I now regularly create PD sessions for my teachers, present at Google for Education conferences, and am an Google Certified Educator and Trainer.
That original encouragement continues today as I transform my thinking while reading the Innovator's Mindset by George Couros and participating in #IMMOOC number 3, yet another very important mentor in my teaching career, as well as all of those mooc-ers George pulls into this amazing space.
Relationships and collaboration have proven to be crucial to my innovation and I'm so grateful for it!
