Jennifer Kizer
Third Grade Teacher
About Me
The Kizer family is made up of my husband Warren, my beautiful daughters, Madison and Emma, and myself. We live in a small town in Iowa where I teach third grade. I have been fortunate to teach at the same school as my girls, and I even had both of them in my class. Madison will be in seventh grade, and Emma will be in sixth grade.
Professional Goals
My goals for this program were to become a better teacher by using the tools that technology has to offer and become more aware of what technology was available for students. I also wanted to be able to share that information with my fellow teachers.
The MATLT program has definitely enlightened me on what technology tools are available to use in the classroom. I have learned a lot from my instructors and my classmates. I really feel I now have a better understanding of the power of collaboration. Today's technology has made it much easier to collaborate with others and find the information one needs.
The MATLT program has definitely enlightened me on what technology tools are available to use in the classroom. I have learned a lot from my instructors and my classmates. I really feel I now have a better understanding of the power of collaboration. Today's technology has made it much easier to collaborate with others and find the information one needs.
Challenges
The challenges I faced in this program had to do with instructional design. I knew how to design lesson plans, but this was so much different for me. I struggled with the needs assessment. I was always thinking of what would come after the lesson was completed. Once I understood the need to think about what happens before the lesson, I finally got a handle on it.
The needs assessment helped to sharpen my knowledge because it made me realize how important it is to anticipate any and all challenges the students may have before the lesson. It also gave me a better understanding of when to consider the right technology tools. I don't simply want to use technology just to say I am using it.
The needs assessment helped to sharpen my knowledge because it made me realize how important it is to anticipate any and all challenges the students may have before the lesson. It also gave me a better understanding of when to consider the right technology tools. I don't simply want to use technology just to say I am using it.
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” - Mark Twain
As a teacher, it is so important to be a lifelong learner. This is also something we hope to convey to our students. Our job is to help them understand that learning is always taking place. People learn something new every day and that doesn't necessarily take place in a classroom. Learning can happen anytime, any place.