My Kenan journey has been great! This journey  gave me enough confidence about my profession. The PD institute at NCCAT was a huge step towards being distinguished in teaching. I love the idea of teaching us how to integrate STEM and technology in teaching.  This helped me engage my students in becoming 21st century digital learners. The second PD institute was very helpful with planning, writing and finalizing and implementing my curriculum. It was a great way to know more about the different  generation/group that works together in one school. I also learned about data analysis and understanding about culture and code switching.  Finally, the third PD was a great way to know the endless possibilities that an educator can influence or change the policies or laws that affects the educational system in the state. It was a great idea to learn how we can make a positive difference with the education policies in NC. As far as Kenan PD application is concerned, our district is currently implementing our “first” STEM Academy. I was part of the planning in establishing the academy. This academy reflects on the knowledge I learned from my Kenan Journey. 

This is a brand new year and I started this school year integrating effective teaching strategies that I learned from the Kenan Fellows Program PD.

My  first week back to school was full but I had the chance to conduct a professional development for my colleagues about integrating technology in teaching. I did a school-wide PD called “More Than a Smartboard”. I shared with my colleagues what I learned about integrating technology in teaching and also ways to improve student learning.

I also planned to utilize what I learned about Discovery Learning Techbook during the KFP PD at NCCAT. This year, my class will pilot using Discovery Learning Techbook. My class will use the Techbook all the time during and after school mostly in completing their assignments, classworks and projects.

I also applied what I learned from the Science House about safety in doing laboratory experiments. This year, as the school’s chemical hygiene officer, all our staff along with my students will have better awareness about Chemical Hygiene Safety.

Last week I officially started my externship at the Southern Regional Area Health Education Center or SR-AHEC, I thought my mentor did a great job in explaining about AHEC. She also showed me the different organizations inside AHEC and how AHEC will impact our daily lives.

But I felt overwhelmed. I thought I was missing something.

As the Professional Advancement Institute here at NCCAT officially started, I finally found the missing piece of my Kenan Fellowship. Thank you very much for the great opportunity, the new learning and for showcasing the amazing rock stars in the teaching profession. This  is fun! you all did an EXCELLENT job in showing the missing piece of my fellowship!

I really hope that my Kenan Fellows Journey will not end. I will start my KENAN journey with my students. I planned to show my students a “real” real-world STEM and beyond.  I will also continue my journey beyond my classroom. I will work with my colleagues in integrating real-world STEM in our curriculum across the different subject/grade levels in our school and hopefully in our county and in our state.