July 6, 2016

Jessica Blasic, Vice Principal

Arcola Elementary School
1820 Franwall Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20902

Dear Mrs. Blasic,

I am currently a graduate student at Loyola University, majoring in Educational Technology. As

part of my culminating assignment, I am required to complete an internship in my school
setting. During our last school year, I have had several discussions with my team and discovered
that many of my teammates would like to learn more about technological resources and would
like some professional development sessions. According to Elys eight conditions the first grade
team is in the dissatisfaction stage, they want change but need support in order to accomplish
this change. Therefore, I have found it beneficial to assist the first grade team with expanding
their repertoire of technological resources. This would allow the first grade team to enhance
students learning by using technology in their lessons. I am confident that I have the knowledge
and skills as a technology leader to support my team in this transition.

In order to accomplish this internship, I would be meeting with my team once a month, to
provide them with either one or two technology resources they could utilize in the classroom.
Meeting with the first grad team is very effective due to having common planning time, this
allows us to have a time to meet that does not interrupt anyones schedule. Having this
common planning time also allows me to support my colleagues one on one. In order to
accomplish my internship, I would provide a detailed explanation as to how the technology
tool(s) work(s), how the first grade teachers could use it to support students, as well as
providing teachers with a handout that will allow them to support themselves individually. I
would also provide time for my team to practice using the tool and ask questions as they are
exploring the tech tool. As part of gaining an understanding for what types of tools my
teammates would like to learn about and how effective my teaching is for them, I would provide
them with various surveys. This would allow me to reflect on how I can improve my support to
them. One of the reasons I think this internship would be effective is because I would be able to
support each team member one on one frequently. This would not only allow the teachers to
feel comfortable with the technology tool before implementing it, but would hopefully expand
their desire to learn about more technology tools.

Students in todays society are very technologically savvy, in order to engage students teachers
must be willing to expand their knowledge about students interests. With the support of my
internship, teachers will learn about ways they can support students by creating fun and
engaging lessons, as well as providing students with the opportunity to use technology tools to
display their learning. There are many technological tools that can not only support students
academically, but tools that can support students special needs. With the support of
technology students can receive additional support within the classroom. Due to learning and
implementing various technology tools, students can become independent and highly
successful in the classroom.

There are many stages when discussing technology especially when observing Elys eight
conditions or the ACOT model. I believe that our school has many resources that either have not
yet been explored or are unknown. Therefore, I am making it part of my mission to ensure that
the first grade team is knowledgeable about the various computer programs that are available
for delivering lessons as well as for student use. After having several discussions with my
teammates, I believe that many of them are in ACOTs adoption stage or adaptation stage. My
goal is to provide my teammates with the opportunity to enter the appropriation stage or
innovation stage. Where my teammates will be able to take the knowledge they have and
expand to make it more meaningful to students. I intend on providing an opportunity for my
colleagues to create a learner centered classroom by providing various technological resources
that could be used to display students learning.

I know that with the support from my administration and cooperative First Grade team, my
internship experience will be exceptional. I am eager to continue learning and truly grateful for
the opportunity to take on a leadership role as well as a support system for my colleagues. With
the education that I have and will continue to receive at Loyola University, I know that I have
learned a lot about technology that can support students in their learning. As an educator, my
mission is to not only support my students but assist my colleagues in learning new methods to
support their students.

Sincerely,

Jenniffer Herrera
Timeline:
Action:
Email Interest Survey to First
Grade Team
Create and share a
technology resource Folder in
Google Docs
Post handouts in Google
Docs.
Technology resource PD
session
Email Evaluation Survey
Email reminders regarding
One on One support
Post handouts in Google
Docs.
Email reminders regarding
One on One support
Technology resource PD
session
Email Evaluation Survey
Post handouts in Google
Docs.
Email reminders regarding
One on One support
Technology resource PD
session
Email Evaluation Survey
Post handouts in Google
Docs.
Email reminders regarding
Person/Group Responsible: Completed By:
Self-Creating Survey End of July
First Grade Team-Completing
Survey
End of July
Jenniffer Herrera
Jenniffer Herrera Beginning of August
Jenniffer Herrera-Presentation of End of August
tool(s)
First Grade team-Participation
Jenniffer Herrera- Creating survey End of August
First Grade Team-Completing
Survey
Jenniffer Herrera End of August
Jenniffer Herrera Beginning of
September
Jenniffer Herrera Mid-September
Jenniffer Herrera -Presentation of End of September
tool(s)
First Grade team-Participation
Jenniffer Herrera - Creating survey End of September
First Grade Team-Completing
Survey
Jenniffer Herrera Beginning of
October
Jenniffer Herrera Mid-October
Jenniffer Herrera -Presentation of End of October
tool(s)
First Grade team-Participation
Jenniffer Herrera - Creating survey End of October
First Grade Team-Completing
Survey
Jenniffer Herrera Beginning of
November
Jenniffer Herrera Mid-November
 One on One support
Technology resource PD Jenniffer Herrera -Presentation of End of November
session tool(s)
First Grade team-Participation
Email Evaluation Survey Jenniffer Herrera - Creating survey End of November
First Grade Team-Completing
Survey
Post handout in Google Docs. Jenniffer Herrera Beginning of
December
Email reminders regarding Jenniffer Herrera Mid-December
One on One support
Online Technology resource Jenniffer Herrera -Presentation of End of December
PD session tool(s)
First Grade team-Participation
Email Evaluation Survey Jenniffer Herrera - Creating survey End of December
First Grade Team-Completing
Survey
Post handout in Google Docs. Jenniffer Herrera Beginning of
January
Email reminders regarding Jenniffer Herrera Mid-January
One on One support
Online Technology resource Jenniffer Herrera -Presentation of End of January
PD session tool(s)
First Grade team-Participation
Email Evaluation Survey Jenniffer Herrera - Creating survey End of January
First Grade Team-Completing
Survey
Post handout in Google Docs. Jenniffer Herrera Beginning of
February
Email reminders regarding Jenniffer Herrera Mid-February
One on One support
Online Technology resource Jenniffer Herrera -Presentation of End of February
PD session tool(s)
First Grade team-Participation
Email Evaluation Survey Jenniffer Herrera - Creating survey End of February
First Grade Team-Completing
Survey
Post handout in Google Docs. Jenniffer Herrera Beginning of March
Technology resource PD Jenniffer Herrera -Presentation of End of March
session tool(s)
First Grade team-Participation
Email Evaluation Survey Jenniffer Herrera - Creating survey End of March
First Grade Team-Completing
 Survey
Email reminders regarding Jenniffer Herrera Mid-March
One on One support
Overall Evaluation Survey Jenniffer Herrera Creating Survey End of March
regarding Plus and Deltas of First Grade Team-Completing
PD sessions Survey