Running head: A JOURNEY OF PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH 1

A Journey of Personal and Professional Growth

Diane M. Coulombe
Azusa Pacific University
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Abstract
Identification of key learning areas and the growth within those areas is reflected upon. The

developments, particularly the personal, professional, and technical growth, while in the

Masters in Education: Learning and Technology program have made a great impact. The

experiences have fostered my love of learning and desire to pursue continued education.
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Table I
History of Masters Program Coursework
Term Course Name Professor Reflections
Summer EDUC Essentials in Learning and E. Silver This was my first
2017 511 Technology Masters course. A
variety of take-aways
including the concepts
of digital citizenship
and information
literacy.
Fall I 2017 EDTC Digital Communications J. This course provided
517 Bruzzese me the opportunity to
branch out of my
comfort zone in terms
of Twitter and other
technology sites while
being used for
education.
Fall I 2017 EDTC Special Topics in J. This course offered me
527 Technology Courduff the chance to
incorporate multiple
intelligences into
technology and lesson
planning.
Fall II 2017 EDTC Emerging Trends in J. Brown To be completed later
515 Technology in the course
Fall II 2017 EDUC Capstone Experience in J. To be completed later
526 Learning and Technology Courduff in the course
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Growth Assessment
Personal Growth
When I originally started my Bachelors program, I wanted to be a Child Psychologist.

My childhood, coming from a broken home, molded my desire to help other young people who

may not have the words to express their emotions. After completing my Bachelors in

Psychology, there were not many jobs. I ended up finding a job in sales which allowed me the

flexibility to work from home while starting a family and raising my babies. Although that

position was convenient, it was not fulfilling and there was not much of a future. Becoming a

mother made me realize that I may not want to be on the Psychology side of a childs life. I no

longer believed I only wanted to be a part of the problems; rather the solutions. I wanted to be a

teacher! The decision was made that I was going to go back to school to get my teaching

credential and Masters while my girls were young. It was scary and we knew that it was going

to be a struggle. Now that I have effectively changed careers, completed my credential program

and am nearing the end of my Masters program I feel as though I have a stronger faith in God, I

am able to more efficiently organize daily tasks and I have an increased confidence because I am

doing what I am passionate about.

Throughout most of my life, I struggled with my faith. I attended a Lutheran private

school from preschool through high school, so to many people that statement is confusing.

Perhaps coming from a divorced household where my mother struggled financially, it was hard

for me to see the silver-lining. Perhaps I never was able to relinquish enough control to really see

the miracles that were working in my life. Becoming a mother really changed me. I loved deeper,

cried harder and believed in the power of Gods work in a much stronger way. This belief

allowed me the strength to pursue a passion that I once thought I never would; I wanted to do it

so my girls knew they can. Once in the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master of Arts
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in Education: Learning and Technology (LRNT) program at Azusa Pacific University (APU), it

just felt as though I was where I needed to be. The people had the same passion to help mold the

world for our future generations. It is a powerful thing to see and feel God working in these

future educators; including myself.

While in the LRNT program, my organizational skills have developed. Although partially

out of necessity, I must remain incredibly organized since I now wear many hats. I am a wife,

mother, daughter, friend, graduate student, first-year teacher, participant in induction and will

soon be piloting a new reading program for my school site. Organizing my time and my thoughts

are challenging at times, but I know that my efforts will be rewarded.

In my previous career, I struggled with confidence. I never really knew what it was like

to love what I do, until now. Teaching is not an easy job, but the LRNT program assists in

developing pertinent skills needed to be efficient. Being in a career that is both challenging a

rewarding, provides me with the confidence I lacked. I am interacting with fellow educators and

students daily, encountering new dilemmas and loving every second. I am confident because I

have a passion for what I am doing and where I am in life. Great teachers have humility in

knowing that [we] serve a purpose larger than [ourselves] (Smoot, 2013). That purpose may

never be known, but the humility and passion grow the confidence in my soul.

The personal growth I have underwent while attending APU, although unmeasurable, is

lifechanging. The spiritual, cognitive and affective growth has created an educator that is able to

tackle new challenges head-on. Understanding that there is a purposeful reason why I am here,

that God placed me here for a reason and that I may have the ability to be a light in a child life is

more rewarding than I can ever put into words. I am forever grateful for the relationships

developed and the lessons learned while in the LRNT program at APU.
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Professional Growth

The professional changes that have happened in the last eighteen months are

astronomical. Working from home as an inside sales representative to now being a fifth grade

teacher in a growing district is a big accomplishment. APU has provided me with future-ready

skills, tools to help me progress as an educator and the ability to tackle new challenges with an

open-mind.

The LRNT program has had a positive effect on my career. APU has a very well-known

reputation with developing well-rounded educators. In addition, the technology focus of this

specific program allows me to learn additional, necessary skills in a technology-driven world;

being future ready. The emphasis on technology provides me with tools applicable in the

classroom, on campus and in potential future endeavors such as Technology Ambassador at my

school-site. Technology empowers learning.

Nearly eighteen months ago when I first began this journey, I only dreamed of finally

working in education. After student teaching under two of the most amazing educators in the

education system, learning from highly-qualified professors, and studying relevant content, I feel

as though I am a qualified educator. As an educator, I have already grown. I have learned that

teaching the curriculum is only the foundational part of the puzzle. As a teacher, you wear many

hats, and those hats change every day.

What do I feel proud of accomplishments professionally because of this journey?

The various tools and resources that I have used during the LRNT program allow me to

feel equipped when facing a challenge in the classroom. All students learn differently and it is

my job to ensure they make academic progress. Technology integration is one strategy that
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allows me to successfully address the various abilities or challenges my students face and to

work collaboratively with other specialists within the district. Technology integration is the use

of technology resources in daily classroom practices and in the management of a school

(Edutopia, 2007, p. 1). As a school-site that now boasts a 1:1 Chromebook ratio, technology

integration is an integral part of daily instruction. I feel as though my training has successfully

prepared me to tackle these changes while also allowing me to be a part of a developing

program.

As an educator, I vow to continue my education so that I may always be able to prepare

students for their future. Becoming complacent and continuing to approach education the same

way, year-after-year, does not assist students academic development. I look forward to

additional growth, challenges and opportunities in my professional life.

Technical Growth

In addition to the personal and professional growth I have undergone while in the LRNT

program, I have also experienced growth with my technical abilities. I have always enjoyed

technology and the many benefits it offers, however, I did not realize the magnitude of its

importance within education. I have developed many skills related to technology including

proper application to education, tools and resources to better administer formative assessments

and finally knowledge related to laws that are crucial when implementing technology in the

classroom.

Although todays students are being raised in such a technology-rich world, it is vital to

their progress that they are using the correct resources at appropriate times. As their instructor, I

must insure that I am knowledgeable in the resource I am choosing to use in the classroom prior
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to the first use. In addition, I must ensure that these various tools or resources are appropriate for

the age, ability and related to the material at hand. Ensuring that a specific piece of technology or

a program is being used correctly allows the instructor to better deliver the lesson and allows the

students to make the most academic progress.

Throughout this journey, I have encountered various resources that allow me, as an

instructor, to create more meaningful formative assessments. The LRNT program has introduced

me to and allowed me the opportunities to work with a large variety of programs that are shaping

the way education is delivered in the 21st century. This interaction is hugely important to me as

an educator because it allows me to be on the cutting edge of education.

During the LRNT program, I have developed much knowledge in the arena of Digital

Citizenship and copyright laws specifically related to teachers. Since my school-site has recently

implemented a 1:1 Chromebook ratio for all students, I find it incredibly beneficial that I had

prior knowledge in the areas of Digital Citizenship and copyright laws. This knowledge and

experience allows me to better instruct my students on how to cope with specific situations

related to technology. Due to the changes in which people interact with their world and learn,

adaptations to common citizenship are necessary. Students today need guidance as they learn

how to apply the elements of citizenship to the realities they encounter in a connected world

(Fingal, 2017, p. 5). I feel confident that I have been provided with the necessary knowledge to

assist our future generations grow as digital citizens.

Life Long Learning Plan

Attend Professional Development gathering that focus on subject-specific material

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Attend conferences related to areas of interest such as full inclusion and bi-lingual

learners

Attend conferences or retreats that will enhance my resume (ex. AVID, Wonders,

GoMath, etc.)

Stay connected to the network of fellow educators that I have established while attending

APU and through my first year teaching; upcoming, current and experienced educators

all have different insight

Continue my education for knowledge and to further my placement on a salary schedule

I strive to work in the district that my daughters will attend

Take on new responsibilities at my school-site or for the district (ex. Technology Coach,

site representative, etc.)

I hope to instill a love of knowledge and education to my own daughters as well as all of

the students I encounter. Knowledge is very powerful!

Conclusion

This journey has changed me in many ways; personally, professionally and

technologically. I have learned more in the past 18 months than I have ever thought possible. Not

only have I obtained my teaching credential, changed careers and am now completing my

Masters, I have developed into a better version of me. I feel a closer connection to God, I feel

more comfortable in my skin and I simply feel I am where I need to be. Although very

challenging, I am stronger for the struggles I endured. I feel blessed in this moment.
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References

Fingal, D. (2017, October 12). Infographic: citizenship in the digital age [Web log post].

Retrieved November 19, 2017, from

https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=192&category=Lead-the-

way&article=Digital-citizenship-infographic

Smoot, B. (2013, February 27). Passion and awareness: what great teachers have in common

[Web log post]. Retrieved November 5, 2017, from

https://www.higheredjobs.com/blog/postDisplay.cfm?post=412

What is successful technology integration? [Editorial]. (2007, November 5). Edutopia. Retrieved

November 12, 2017, from https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-description