My name is Iliana Reyes, and I am proud to be from Mexico. I am a teacher by profession, as well as a mother and wife. If you want to learn more about me, please check out my "About Me" section. My main interest is contributing to society, which currently needs education, values, and affection. We are making great strides with technology but often lack the knowledge of how to use these tools to achieve success. One of my priorities is to provide my students with choice, ownership, and a voice in authentic learning environments "COVA"; for these reasons, I decided to explore digital learning. During my master's degree program, I encountered unique challenges that provided opportunities for growth and learning from my "Learning Community". Without their support, my journey would have been drastically different. The sheer volume of coursework initially overwhelmed me, but I quickly learned to manage my time effectively and prioritize tasks. This experience, which was a significant part of my professional development, has prepared me to drive positive change in educational settings.

 

My journey began with a disruptive innovation plan, where I identified the need to introduce blended learning in mathematics education within my school community. Through meticulous preparation and the completion of essential tasks such as creating a compelling proposal letter and video, implementation online, and conducting a thorough literature review, I am confident in the success of this initiative. I have witnessed a significant increase in student engagement and understanding, which I believe will revolutionize mathematics education in our school.

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While working on my e-portfolio design, I encountered initial challenges with unfamiliar digital tools like WIX. The complexity of the platform initially intimidated me, but I was determined to overcome this hurdle. I embarked on a journey of research and learning, seeking help from online tutorials and my peers. Gradually, I became more comfortable with the tool. This experience has enhanced my digital literacy and my ability to adapt to new technologies, a crucial skill in today's educational landscape.

 

Understanding educational technology concepts taught me the importance of maintaining a growth mindset, both for myself and my students. Creating a growth mindset plan and a learning manifesto helped me solidify my beliefs and find strength in my weaknesses. Additionally, developing learning networks reinforced the idea that I am not alone in my journey, having both a team and technological tools to support my projects.

 

Leading organization change were central themes throughout my studies. Analyzing theories such as Sinek's Golden Circle helped me find my WHY and set clear objectives for my educational initiatives. The 4 execution disciplines provided a framework for achieving these goals, while assignments on self-differentiation and leadership enhanced my ability to lead constructive conversations and manage emotions effectively.

 

Creating a significant learning environment involved aligning learning outcomes with assessments and activities, prioritizing student understanding using frameworks like UbD, and fostering a growth mindset among students. On the other hand, professional learning emphasizes the importance of continuous development and provides practical tasks and principles for teachers to enhance their practice and advance their careers.

 

Assessing digital learning instruction introduced me to action research, a method for systematically improving teaching practice. Teachers can iteratively enhance their digital learning environments by planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. Meanwhile, the resources for digital environments course equipped me with the skills to create and publish compelling articles, sharing professional insights with a broader audience.

 

Instructional design for online learning delved into creating practical online courses aligned with the latest trends in e-learning. Through modules covering research methods, instructional design principles, and best practices, I gained the necessary skills to develop engaging online learning experiences.

 

Finally, the Synthesis Digital Learning Leader capstone course integrates theoretical knowledge with practical experience to empower teachers as change agents. I am better prepared to lead organizational change and positively impact educational communities by synthesizing my learning from various courses and applying it to real-world scenarios.

 

My master's degree journey has equipped me with a rich array of skills, knowledge, and values, all of which are essential for driving innovation and leading change in educational settings. I am not just ready, but eager to apply this wealth of knowledge to create a meaningful impact and inspire positive organizational transformation. Feel free to contact me via email or social media with any further inquiries about my experience. I would be happy to share it with more people.