Lifelong Learner and Teacher?

I am just finalizing my tenure as tech liason with the Buhler site of the South Central Kansas Writing Project this week (sckwp.wikispaces.org) and will move on to the East High School site next week. While I realize that not every teacher is as tech savvy or as open to technology as I am, sometimes I really wonder. My STL guys taught at an inservice and made the observation that teachers don't listen to instruction. I must echo that. I was continually frustrated this school year having to measure up to pacing guides that did not provide for reteaching, and after this past few weeks, some adults need more reteaching than sophomores!! I do think that everything will come together, but at the last minute which on the one hand is very frustrating, but on the other hand, I am thankful that technology will allow us to produce a professional looking publication at the last minute. One poignant writing prompt last week was a choice of the following: If you had 30 minutes alone with President Bush and you were the sole representative for teachers across the nation, what would you say to him? OR What is the most significant issue facing education today? Wow! The responses of the fellows were varied and did present a negative connotation, but upon further reflection, these teachers really are frustrated at being hogtied in their instruction! The overall anthem is... let us teach and remove our secretarial function!!!

I have also attended a class on podcasting and SMARTBoard lesson planning and learned quite a bit that I can take into my classroom this coming year. I look forward to taking a class on Blackboard in 2 weeks to further my education.