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About the Author
Welcome!
My name is Kim Hughes and I have been teaching Spanish at the high school level for the past four years. After studying abroad in Costa Rica for a year during college, and traveling to various spanish speaking countries around the world, I decided to change my English Education major to Spanish. I graduated from California State University, Chico with a Bachelors degree in Spanish and currently hold a Single-Subject credential in Spanish and English.
I spent my first two years of teaching at a high school in the East Bay however I always had the desire to move back to my hometown, Napa. When a teaching position opened up at St. Helena High School I felt like there was no place I would rather be. I was beyond blessed to be offered the position, and am now beginning my second year as a Saint!
Although I was at a new school with new students, new colleagues and a new curriculum the thing that stood out to me the most was how much technology was available on campus! I could not believe a school existed where all students had their own laptops, free wi-fi around campus and a full time tech team on campus. It was any teachers dream come true! However, I quickly realized that I had no idea how to incorporate all these great tools into my classroom. Being a TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) spanish teacher, much of the curriculum revolved around "traditional" teaching methods, like speaking, reading and writing. I had no clue where to begin, but knew that not many teachers around the country had the resources I did, and that I needed to learn how to bring technology into my foreign language classroom.
I took the leap to join the online Innovative Learning program through Touro University. I acknowledged that just because I was a teacher, definitely didn't mean I "knew it all" and that I needed to put myself back into the students' seat. During this journey, became increasingly more interested in digital collaborative tools and how technology could be used for formative assessments. Language is all about communication and seeing how language is used, so I decided to focus on how I could bring tools in that could help students not only get language input but also help them produce it.
My name is Kim Hughes and I have been teaching Spanish at the high school level for the past four years. After studying abroad in Costa Rica for a year during college, and traveling to various spanish speaking countries around the world, I decided to change my English Education major to Spanish. I graduated from California State University, Chico with a Bachelors degree in Spanish and currently hold a Single-Subject credential in Spanish and English.
I spent my first two years of teaching at a high school in the East Bay however I always had the desire to move back to my hometown, Napa. When a teaching position opened up at St. Helena High School I felt like there was no place I would rather be. I was beyond blessed to be offered the position, and am now beginning my second year as a Saint!
Although I was at a new school with new students, new colleagues and a new curriculum the thing that stood out to me the most was how much technology was available on campus! I could not believe a school existed where all students had their own laptops, free wi-fi around campus and a full time tech team on campus. It was any teachers dream come true! However, I quickly realized that I had no idea how to incorporate all these great tools into my classroom. Being a TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) spanish teacher, much of the curriculum revolved around "traditional" teaching methods, like speaking, reading and writing. I had no clue where to begin, but knew that not many teachers around the country had the resources I did, and that I needed to learn how to bring technology into my foreign language classroom.
I took the leap to join the online Innovative Learning program through Touro University. I acknowledged that just because I was a teacher, definitely didn't mean I "knew it all" and that I needed to put myself back into the students' seat. During this journey, became increasingly more interested in digital collaborative tools and how technology could be used for formative assessments. Language is all about communication and seeing how language is used, so I decided to focus on how I could bring tools in that could help students not only get language input but also help them produce it.
Reflections on your Journey
During my time as a student in the Innovative Learning program, I feel my teaching practices have slowly transformed into something more thoughtful, meaningful and with greater purpose. Being in a classroom every day is a learning experience in itself, but I found that I learned a great deal when I myself was back in the students seat. Just like my own students, I found myself in moments of confusion and what I'm sure to be "a deer in the headlights" look on my face. However, I also had the most amazing moments of clarity and realization about my teaching practices the entire way through. This program has given me the opportunity to look at my classroom through all different lenses (general teaching practices, technology incorporation, the learning brain, etc.) and has granted me the freedom to focus on what would best benefit my own personal needs and content area. During this journey, I found my passion for formative assessments using technology. This was not what I had originally anticipated when I started the program a year ago, however throughout the process of conducting an action research project, collaborating with instructors and cohort members and self reflection, I was able to realize what was important to me as an educator.
My goal is to continue learning and, to share and collaborate with other educators to create the best possible educational experiences for our students.
My goal is to continue learning and, to share and collaborate with other educators to create the best possible educational experiences for our students.
Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning program
Throughout the study of incorporating technology into the classroom and other innovative tools, the TPACK model has been an invaluable tool. It has helped guide me on how to best incorporate technology with my specific content area, and reminds me that teaching practices are still extremely important, even if the content is delivered in a different way.
I also think Dr. Baggio's "The Visual Connection" was one of the most important pieces I read in the program. It reminded me that my teaching practices are important, and that I must take all types of learners into consideration. This chart spoke volumes to me. If students hear what I say, but also see a visual to go with it, they will have a higher rate of material retention, leading to success.
Here is a link to my Innovative Learning BLOG. Here you can see my progress, thoughts and ideas throughout the entire program: http://kimberlyhughesshhs.weebly.com/
I also think Dr. Baggio's "The Visual Connection" was one of the most important pieces I read in the program. It reminded me that my teaching practices are important, and that I must take all types of learners into consideration. This chart spoke volumes to me. If students hear what I say, but also see a visual to go with it, they will have a higher rate of material retention, leading to success.
Here is a link to my Innovative Learning BLOG. Here you can see my progress, thoughts and ideas throughout the entire program: http://kimberlyhughesshhs.weebly.com/