When I first started working for the Lemmon School District as a secretary, I had approximately 16 credits of computers that I had earned towards a minor at Northern State University. I did not get my minor in Computers, but I have always enjoyed working with computers. When the district installed networking equipment, it ended up in my room, so it became my job. At that time, I knew NOTHING about networking. The classes I have taken through DDN-IT, TTL, TIE, and MSET classes have made me more knowledgeable in the Computers and Networking areas. I would not be able to be successful in my job if not for these programs.
I believe that every school or company needs to have leaders within their organization. Some of these leaders will be in a "leadership" position such as an administrator, and some will be teachers who step into a leadership position when needed. I feel that I have learned how to lead during my educational career. My leadership positions started when I was a secretary at my district and had to take the initiative to get projects done which required obtaining information from different individuals. From there it moved to being elected to an office with the South Dakota Association of Educational Office Professionals. Shortly after being elected, I changed jobs and became part time Computer Instructor, part time Network Coordinator. As a Computer Instructor and Network Coordinator, I have had to use my Leadership skills to help my co-workers incorporate technology into their classrooms. The MSET program has helped me become a well-rounded leader and has given me the confidence to present new programs/software to my teachers and even at the Laptop Convention had yearly in Mitchell each summer.
Although I have been qualified to teach Computers since I obtained my undergraduate degree, I continued to teach the software/hardware items that I knew like Office Products and Keyboarding. The MSET program has given me the tools and knowledge to incorporate many new items into my curriculum as well as helping my co-workers incorporate technology into their curriculums. I have realized how important it is to teach our students about 21st Century Skills and to make them comfortable using technology to help complete their assignments and projects since being comfortable with technology will help them get and keep a job. I talked my district into applying to be a one to one pilot school and we were one of the lucky chosen ones. This program encouraged me to continue my technology education so I can continue help my co-workers implement technology in a one to one school.