1:World Tech Teacher Leader Plan
Blount County Schools
As the world experiences changes more rapidly than any time in human history, serious thought and consideration should be given to the world our students will encounter as they complete their educational experience. Most vocations require a significant amount of training–long after high school is completed–with a focus on the application of technology in the workplace. Preparing students for this environment requires all teachers have access to ongoing, practical training and support every day to make the shift to teaching effectively using technology. To provide this crucial training and support, Blount County Schools (BCS) has designed a Tech Teacher Leader (TTL) model. These teacher leaders have experience using technology in their classrooms and a desire to coach others. As they continue to teach, they play a vital role in the successful implementation and continuation of the digital conversion process.
Competencies & Beliefs
Blount County teacher leaders believe:
- all students have the right to a high-quality education, including access to relevant technology.
- all students can achieve at high levels with the right instruction and support.
- maintaining effective communication and collaborating with all stakeholders is a key component to growth and development.
- learning is a lifelong process; modeling lifelong learning is a professional responsibility.
- teachers who engage in high-quality professional learning can positively impact student learning.
- relationships are fundamental for learning to take place – a collaborative culture builds trust, which is vital to relationships.
Blount County teacher leaders have the capacity to:
- engage in continual learning to deepen pedagogical knowledge in technology integration.
- foster a culture of collaboration with and support the development of colleagues, TTL peers, and administrators.
- understand and respond to the needs of adult learners.
- hold self and others accountable for student learning.
- influence others to achieve results while building strong relationships through mutual respect.
- value the importance of digital citizenship in the education of each student.
Roles and Responsibilities
Tech Teacher Leaders
- Designs and models tech-enhanced learning experiences
- Provides resources and digital tools for other teachers
- Embeds training and support for each staff member
- Participates in on-going tech training
- Designs, develops, implements, and evaluates tech-rich professional learning experiences for adult learners
- Collaborates to develop ongoing support for tech instruction
- Communicates the value and mission of using technology as an instructional tool
- Works with other teacher leaders to evaluate and refine the TTL program
Cost & Sustainability
Identifying, training, and placing tech teacher leaders in each Blount County school offers an effective and fiscally efficient means of providing teachers training and onsite support integrating technology into their classrooms. These leaders are identified by an application process, trained in focused areas including coaching and tech skills, and provided one-to-one devices for their classrooms, and they act as liaisons between the BCS Tech Team and their respective school communities. They have been the first to implement the digital conversion project and are instrumental in leading the complete transformation at the most important level-in the classrooms of their peers.
Sustainability Strategy
Funding for the Tech Teacher Leader program would be sustained through the local budget process. The only ongoing expenses would include the stipend, release days, and training.