Where Am I Now ? ___________________________________________________________
In 2004, after working in traditional classrooms for over 12 years, my teaching career changed. I accepted a job in the newly created CHOICES program in Port Alberni. I was very fortunate to be involved at the ground floor in this new online school. We started with 2 teachers, serving the local home-schooling community and the Port Alberni high school. Most of our course offerings were paper-based, but this quickly changed. Now, Choices employs 3 full-time teachers and our student base is composed of mostly high-school age students, with a small number of full-time elementary aged children. We adopted the Moodle Learning Management System, and I have spent the last few years facilitating classes online and creating/adapting courses. I have now been working in Choices almost longer than the combined years of the rest of my teaching experience.
Having taught many different subjects, at many different grade levels, in many different places, I wouldn't have changed a thing. However, Choices is probably the best fit for me. I've always loved technology, and my current position allows me to not only teach, but also be involved in course development. My new teaching environment has required a whole new skill set, but it has also allowed me to draw on my art background and my teaching experiences. I am still here, largely because I am still being challenged, and still being excited, by the possibilities that online education is bringing to our changing education system. All of this is what has brought me to the OLTD program. |