Comprehensive+Examination--Title+Page+and+Leadership+Goals

Comprehensive Examination of Masters of Educational Technology Leadership

Diane Pantoja Revilla

Lamar University

** Comprehensive Examination of Masters of Educational Technology Leadership ** My dream has always been to teach and inspire my students to dream and achieve their goals. It took me twenty years and detour in life to achieve my dream. As a non-traditional student I completed my undergraduate work at the age of thirty-nine. I never dreamed of obtaining a Masters, I was quite content in my classroom empowering my students. That is until I took that leap of faith and joined my friend in the Masters Program. The reason I decided to step out of my comfort zone was to lead by example. I have always expressed to my students that I belong to the “Lifelong learner” club and returning to school was the proof. My dream, my goal is almost the same, ‘to be able to teach and inspire //others// to dream and achieve their goals.’ My short-range goal is to become our campus Curriculum Instructional Technologist while long-range goal would be to move to a district position, Director of Instructional Technology. ** Leadership Goals ** I had no desire to become a leader of any sort; it’s out of my comfort zone. I always felt as a leader you had to be knowledgeable, charismatic, very organized, problem solver, etc. I have come to understand that a true leader leads by example, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams. My colleagues have placed me in a leadership role by asking for help in training on SmartBoard, providing resources to teachers in various grade levels, conducting research projects for my principal, and assist teachers in technology integration that reflect content standards. My Academic Coach seeks me out for advice on campus decisions and planning and implement up-coming professional development activities. It is through these collaboration efforts that I have been found myself in a leadership position and no longer intimated by the position. As a 21st century leader, I hope to transform my ‘digital immigrants’ to ‘digital natives’ in hopes of preparing our students to be successful in a diverse, globalized, twenty-first century society.