August 25,2017

Summer came and went within a blink of an eye meaning it is time to begin my technology
internship. Wanting to get a head start, I thought over the summer about what I wanted to
accomplish at my school.

I reached out to a well known technology leader, Kathy Schrock, who is a family friend. She
provided a lot of great feedback and ideas to consider throughout the internship. I then
contacted Kelly Keane to ensure I was in fact on the right track with my idea. She gave me the
okay, as well as more ideas to think about throughout the process. My next step is to talk to my
administrator. He is very approachable and is always there for the staff so I don’t see any issues
arising.

Write to you soon!

-Tori Chanda Borowy

September 29, 2017

Where did September go?!

I found out who my advisor is! I need to send her my proposal ASAP. I talked to my
administrator and he was on board with everything. He suggested I send a survey out to the
staff to see what they were interested in, which I had planned to do anyway. I created the
survey and during a professional development day I explained what my goal was. I also
mentioned that anyone who fills out the survey would be entered into a raffle for the chance to
win a $10 gift card. Last time I checked 30 people had responded. They have until October 1st to
complete the survey and then I will close it off and pick a winner. Using the results from the
survey I will plan my next steps.

I’ll keep you posted!

-Tori Chanda Borowy

October 26, 2017

I just finished presenting MackinVIA to 13 staff members. They LOVED the tool. I decided to
create a screencast to present the features of MackinVIA. Although it took a long time, it was
worth it in the end because I got my point across is a short span of time. I figured if I didn’t pre-
record myself then I would ramble on during the actual presentation. After the 5 minute
screen-cast introduction, staff were given time to think about how they could use the tool. They
also had time to fill out an evaluation as well as ask additional questions. Overall I was pleased
with the turn out. That being said my biggest frustration is the fact that people indicated in the
survey that they wanted to learn about different technology to incorporate in the classroom
but when it comes down to it they don’t show up to the meeting. I need to think of a way to get
more people to come to the meetings because if they could see how easy and applicable the
tool is then they will use it more. I put a flyer in everyone’s mailbox inviting them to the PD,
sent an e-mail to the staff, and made an announcement in the morning to remind teachers that
it was about to happen. I feel like I publicized it but maybe I need to do something else. Offer
prizes? Offer food? I asked the principal if I could blast the screencast I created to the staff. He
suggested that we put it in Canvas under a technology folder that he could create. That’s a
good idea for the people who couldn’t make it. Learning and growing professionally day by day.
Looking forward to my next meeting.

-Tori Borowy

November 14, 2017

A big concern for elementary school teachers is the use of Canvas especially when it is required
in middle school. We were given no training on the tool yet are required to use it in our
classroom. I decided to keep the PD short and sweet and focus on posting announcements and
creating discussions. I had the teachers post their first announcement and create their own
discussion that students could respond to in the classroom. They were very grateful for the
experience because they didn’t realize how simple it was, they just needed someone to take
the time to show them the tool. I still don’t know many of the features on Canvas but it is a
start. Next summer I would like to spend more time and then present my findings next school
year. There were only five people who attended today’s meeting. That was disappointing. I
personally feel as though I am marketing the sessions, but clearly I’m not selling it to all of the
staff.
Need more time to think and reflect.
Tori Borowy

December 12, 2017

Kathy Schrock was able to get me in touch with a person from I-Pevo who sent me a document
camera and smart board to try out in my classroom. I decided to show the staff the tools
because I think it is so cool how inexpensive yet beneficial it is to have the tools in the
classroom. Each team is allotted a certain amount of money to spend in the beginning of the
school year. They can use the money to buy a team smart board that can travel from room to
room. I had 12 teachers come out to view the tool. They were so excited. They can’t wait to
enter the wish-pool in January when it re-opens. I had one teacher who called her dad right
after the PD and told him that she wanted the smart-board as her big Christmas Gift. This was a
very successful session.
-Tori Borowy

January 30, 2018

Happy New Year!

School was cancelled so I did not hold the meeting. I was looking on the calendar to reschedule
it, but there are very limited dates. The topic was on G-Suite so what I am going to do is send
out an e-mail to see if anyone is interested in learning more and if they are I will meet with
them privately. I will give them a week to respond.

-Tori Borowy

Februray 2, 2018
Two people at my school entered into the Wishpool for I-Pevo and were granted their wishes.
YAY! So exciting.

-Tori Borowy

February 6, 2018
I had two staff members e-mail me about G-Suites. They specifically wanted to learn about
google docs and google forms. I met with them personally and went over the two tools. They
were excited to learn and kind. I am glad I didn’t reschedule the meeting because I don’t think
many people were interested in the topic. The next PD is going to be on encouraging student
collaboration. Thank goodness for my technology committee because they already have some
pretty great ideas.
Stay warm.
-Tori Borowy

February 22, 2018

The committee and I just finished presenting collaboration tools to staff. I was pretty excited
because my MST and RST came to the PD to learn how they can incorporate the tools into the
PD’s that they run for the school. I was also happy because 10 people showed up. There are 80
people who work at my school, and of those people 24 are classroom teachers. 8/24 of the
participants were classroom teachers, so one third of the teachers came to the PD. Is it negative
that my celebration is also my struggle? I feel like more teachers need to come to the meetings
and really want to get them here. My principal suggested that I go around to individual teams
to present the information. My first thought: when the heck will I have the time for that? The
beauty about the days I picked to present the technology tools is that there are no other
meetings for the morning. That means teachers should be free to come out to the sessions. I
don’t understand why more don’t. The next couple of months are going to be extremely chaotic
so I’m going to rethink how I can reach the rest of my staff.
Stay tuned!
Tori Borowy

March 27, 2018

So I decided to create online sessions for the last two sessions. The topic for both sessions is
Providing Student Choice which is crucial. For my first session, I created a two-minute video,
provided 9 resources from 4 categories, and created a google form for participants to fill out.
What I’m really hoping will grab the attention of the staff is that I’m offering a teacher basket
and a gift-card in a raffle for those who complete the activity. I’m hoping that those who lack
intrinsic motivation will be extrinsically motivated. They have a week to complete the form. I
will let you know what happens in a week. Wish me luck!
Tori Borowy

April 6, 2018
Let me start with the positives. Everyone who participated in the online session really enjoyed
the resources that the committee found. I had three teachers come to my classroom to
personally thank me because they loved looking through the different sources. Now onto the
negative. I thought putting making the PD asynchronous and offering prizes would grab many
staff members’ attentions. It didn’t!!! I only had five people participate which is a worse
turnout than the in person sessions I have held. I feel defeated because I really tried to market
the asynchronous PD. I sent multiple e-mails. I went on the intercom system every day for the
full week, I reminded people in the hall...and only FIVE people participated. I was really
bummed. I think what I am going to do for the next session is have people come to my room
with their computers, and then they can participate in the online session on their own. Until
next time!
Tori Borowy

May 11th, 2018

I finished the last technology session!!!! There were three more participants compared to the
last online session. I am grateful to everyone who participated throughout my internship. They
have told me on numerous occasions that they have enjoyed the sessions and have learned a
lot from it. They are also using the tools in their classroom. Overall I think I did a great job
getting my foot in the door. I was able to grab the interest in a fifth of the staff at Guilford. I
plan on continuing sharing resources through PD’s next school year. Hopefully I will be able to
get more teachers from the primary grades involved. I am going to figure out a way to spark
interest in more people. We moved forward though this year so I am proud and thankful. Way
to go Tori and Tech Committee!!!

-Tori Borowy