Transitioning from Teacher...to Facilitator...Creating New Horizons...

Bill Lewis @blewistexas was very influential in my career in Instructional Technology. He supervised me when I first transitioned from the classroom to the world of Technology Integration. Along with +Marc Thrall we were the Instructional Technology TIE5 Grant Team. We worked with AISD sixth grade teachers and students and provided support for several private schools.

I remember on my first day as an Instructional Technology Facilitator, I spent most of the day in the bathroom throwing up from nerves and anticipation of my new journey of working with teachers and students. I had provided professional development to other teachers for years before embarking on this journey, but I was also doing it at the same time as being a teacher in the classroom. Taking that big step out of the classroom and into the realm of instructional technology was both nerve racking and heartbreaking because I  had to leave my students in the middle of the school year.  And of course, my students needed me. I was totally convinced that no on could take my place.

When I finally came out of the restroom on my first day as an Instructional Technology Facilitator, Bill Lewis was there waiting with words of inspiration and encouragement that I needed to embark on this new adventure. Both Marc and I were encouraged and allowed to be creative, reflect on our adventures and implement our wildest and craziest ambitions that would impact students and teachers in the world of technology.

I owe my aspirations and love for the world of education technology to a leader that both inspired and trusted my passion to impact both teachers and students. I also owe a lot of gratitude to my Technology Directors Jeff Meyer and Dave Sanders and my team of technology integration specialists who helped me pave my way.  Like Bill said, this was a vert supportive, innovative and ground breaking group. Although we all have gone our separate ways, the "nail in the wood" still stays.

And so my journey continues with new pathways of design thinking and technology design coaching...

Thanks Mr. Bill Lewis, you continue to make a difference and have impacted so many educators!

Texas School Business
https://issuu.com/tasanet/docs/september16/3?e=0