Chicago Tech Specialist Enjoys Spending Time With Teachers, Students
Jennifer Vincent is the technology integration specialist at Mundelein Elementary School District 75. Vincent's role as a technology integration specialist involves supporting teachers in using technology in their classrooms intentionally and authentically. Vincent and her colleague work to support teachers to design, develop and facilitate 21st century learning experiences to maximize student engagement and improve student achievement.
Vincent did her undergraduate work at Northern Illinois University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in deaf education in order to work in special education with students who are deaf and hard of hearing. From there, she received her master's in curriculum and instruction from National Louis University. Vincent is also a National Board Certified Teacher in early and middle childhood literacy.
What are the scope and responsibilities of your current role?
"I work for a small elementary school district that is made up of three schools with a total of about 1,600 students. I work with another technology integration specialist to support teachers in all three buildings. We have monthly and bi-monthly meetings with grade level teams of teachers, but we also offer professional development in the form of workshops and 1:1 coaching conversations."
What is your favorite part of your daily duties?
"I'm such a people person, so I love to be in classrooms working with teachers and students. It's a challenge to ask specific questions that I hope will push teachers' thinking about the decisions they make in their classrooms, but I see it as my way to make an impact on student achievement even though I don't have my own classroom and/or students I see on a daily basis."
Do you feel your education prepared you for your current role?
"My education definitely prepared me to enter the field of education and to move forward with my practice, but the years of experience working with students and other teachers and the professional development I have pursued have helped me to grow as well."
Do you have any advice for people who desire to pursue a similar career?
"Working in education is an important job, but it is also a demanding job. My work as a technology integration specialist definitely requires me to know the life of a teacher and to be able to anticipate what using the technology in the classroom might look like. But I also have to understand the technical side of things to be able to work with the technical team. If you are a person who enjoys working with people and loves to teach, but at the same time sees how technology changes the world of education, then this job is for you."
Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner. She also has experience in school administration, literacy coaching and is proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com and MichelleGuilbeau.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of cities, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
