I still can’t believe how fast a whole year has gone by in the ADL program, and graduation is almost less than week away! As I stand on the verge of graduation, with the whirlwind of the ADL program’s year behind me, I find myself reflecting on the very spark that ignited this journey—a deep-seated desire to empower Newcomer Emergent Bilingual Students (NEBS) in my school district.
Witnessing the challenges faced by Newcomer Emergent Bilingual Students (NEBS) in traditional language arts classrooms ignited a passion in me to find a better way of instruction specifically in Reading/Language Arts classes. I embarked on this project with a longtime collaborator, Juliana Vargas in 2022, and the Applied Digital Learning (ADL) program, with its variety of classes, was instrumental in providing a new perspective to transforming our vision into reality. Balancing the demands of the program with my existing responsibilities was a challenge. Yet, the highs were undeniable. Seeing students thrive with the Technology-Enhanced Project-Based Learning (TEPBL) curriculum we developed fueled my motivation. This sense of purpose, along with the positive impact on students, became my guiding light.
My ePortfolio serves as a dynamic record of this journey. The About Me section showcases my learning philosophy, which is deeply rooted in the COVA (Choice, Ownership, and Voice) approach and Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) frameworks. These resonate with my belief that learning is a lifelong process shaped by individual interactions with the environment. The Projects section is a perfect home for my TEPBL Innovation Plan, while the CSLE+COVA & Learner’s Mindset blog posts (and many other posts) allowed me to share my insights with a wider audience. My ePortfolio also includes sections for my blog posts with categories, learning community, social media connections (located on the right side of the website footer), contact information, and even a reading list.
Presently, I stand at a pivotal point. Phase 3 of my innovation plan focuses on revising the TEPBL curriculum. Collaboration with my planning partner this summer will expedite this process. Ideally, by the end of summer 2024, the curriculum will be ready for a pilot launch in the 2024/2025 school year. The future holds exciting possibilities. I plan to assemble a robust team for future innovation projects, ensuring diverse perspectives and expertise. The lessons learned from this project, particularly the importance of collaboration and a growth mindset, will guide my future endeavors.
This journey, documented in my ePortfolio, is far from over. The TEPBL Innovation Plan within my ePortfolio serves as a roadmap for this next chapter, while the blog posts and resources will continue to inspire and inform others. My hope is that by sharing my story and the tools I’ve created; I can empower educators to create innovative and empowering learning environments for all students.
