This document is LaToya West's instructional technology portfolio introduction. It outlines her experience working with at-risk students, which led her to pursue a career in education. The portfolio covers her qualifications and artifacts demonstrating her skills in using technology for teaching, collaboration, program administration, and engaging students.

1. LaToya West Instructional Technology Portfolio Introduction Two words brought me into the education field: “at risk.” Throughout college I worked with many so called urban children. I served as a tutor at CW Hill Elementary for all four years of college, a volunteer at the Bellwood Boys and Girls club, and I was a mentor through the Americorps Jumpstart program. In all of these programs, I worked with very small children and each program had one thing in common: all of the children involved were labeled “at risk.” These children were “at risk” because of their environments, their neighborhoods, and their economic status. Before they had even been given a chance, they were labeled “at risk.” I could not fathom how a child could be labeled before they could even spell their first name. Therefore, upon graduation I joined Teach for America in an effort to help “at risk” children remove the label unfairly placed upon them by society. When I look at the children I work with then and now, I see ‘my children,’ ‘my responsibility,’ and I refuse to let a child of mine carry the burden of being labeled “at risk.” The only thing ‘my children’ are at risk for is success. I came into education so that I would not be a person sitting back and labeling so called urban children but instead helping them so that they do not have to be “at risk” despite where they came from or where they are. Overview of Portfolio My goal is to help create lifelong learners by merging my technological background with my knowledge of teaching. This portfolio reflects the use of various technologies as I learned and experienced the four roles of a library media specialist: teacher, information specialist, instructional partner, and program administrator. Philosophy/Vision Children should be exposed to teaching practices and information that will prepare them to be future leaders. Education goes beyond the classroom and state standards. Education involves experiences and individual interpretations of those experiences. Therefore, learners must be given the opportunity to experience various technologies, read a variety of books, and learn a range of ways to find and organize information. Table of Contents Introduction Resume Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4 Additional Artifacts Conclusion

2. LaToya West Instructional Technology Portfolio Background Full Resume EDUCATION/TRAINING Spring 2010 Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA MeD Instructional Technology (3.5/4.0) Summer 2004 Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta, GA BS Science, Technology, and Culture (3.0/4.0) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Fickett Elementary (July 2005 - ) Teacher Teach for America (August 2007 – May 2008) Team Leader Teach For America (July 2005 – July 2007) Corps Member Relevant Coursework Table of Contents Introduction Resume Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4 Additional Artifacts Conclusion Professional Affiliation Georgia Library Media Association GLMA provides an abundant amount of information for school media specialists in Georgia. Applications of Inst. Tech ITEC 8530 Spring 2009 Practicum ITEC 7737 Spring 2009 Mult. Tools and Apps. ITEC 8532 Fall 2008 Inst. Design ITEC 7430 Fall 2008 Ref. and Info. Sources ITEC 7136 Fall 2008 Web Design and Dev. ITEC 7335 Summer 2008 Children’s Literature ECED 7232 Summer 2008 Sel. and Dev. Of Inst. Tech. ITEC 7230 Spring 2008 Collection Dev. And Org. ITEC 7134 Spring 2008 Admin. Of School Library Program ITEC 7132 Spring 2008 Inst. Tech Foundations ITEC 7530 Fall 2007 Name Course # Year

3. LaToya West Instructional Technology Portfolio Use of Information and Ideas *Efficient and Ethical Information-Seeking Behavior *Access to Information *Literacy and Reading *Stimulating Learning Environment In order for students to become proficient in the area of information literacy, it is the role of the educators (teachers and media specialists) to motivate them to do so. The artifacts in this area are designed for elementary aged students. The artifacts involve motivation tactics, a fun way to teach pertinent copyright information, and a child friendly interactive unit that allows students to become active learners. Artifact 1 Reading Video Artifact 2 Copyright Flier Artifact 3 Reading Enrichment Unit Table of Contents Introduction Resume Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4 Additional Artifacts Conclusion

4. LaToya West Instructional Technology Portfolio Teaching and Learning *Knowledge of Learners and Learning *Information Literacy Curriculum *Effective and Knowledgeable Teacher In order for the library media specialist to be effective and knowledgeable, she must embrace every type of learner as well as have a thorough understanding of the policies and issues of the district/facility she works in. Thus, the artifacts in this section not only reflect a variety of learners but also show an understanding of policies and issues. Artifact 1 Information Literacy Lesson Plan Artifact 2 Policy and Issues Paper Artifact 3 Special Education Resource Manual Table of Contents Introduction Resume Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4 Additional Artifacts Conclusion

5. LaToya West Instructional Technology Portfolio Collaboration and Leadership *Connection with the Library Community *Educational Leader *Instructional Partner Library media specialists are most effective when they are able to collaborate with teachers in efforts to integrate information literacy standards into classroom curriculum. In addition, within that collaboration, library media specialists should also ensure that teachers are exposed to updated technologies and practices that they can relay to their students. The artifacts in this section are all focused on some type of technology allowing exposure to digital learning for both teachers and students. Artifact 1 Screen Casting Tutorial Artifact 2 Staff Development Unit Artifact 3 Technology Integration Unit Table of Contents Introduction Resume Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4 Additional Artifacts Conclusion

6. LaToya West Instructional Technology Portfolio Program Administration *Comprehensive and Collaborative Strategic Planning and Assessment *Managing Information Resources *Managing Program Resources An effective library sometimes goes beyond teaching and collaboration. A library must have a sound foundation before it can be run successfully. The artifacts in this section are fundamental in creating an organized, practical, and resourceful library. Artifact 1 Budget Simulation Artifact 2 Collection Development Plan Artifact 3 Facilities Plan Table of Contents Introduction Resume Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4 Additional Artifacts Conclusion

7. LaToya West Instructional Technology Portfolio Additional Artifacts These artifacts demonstrate the use of technology in teaching. These artifacts can be used to reach various learning modalities. They are engaging and child friendly. Library media specialist can use these artifacts or similar artifacts to expound upon classroom lessons or in collaboration with teachers. Artifact 1 GIF Image Artifact 2 Dr. Seuss Microweb Artifact 3 Podcast 1 Podcast 2 Artifact 4 Panorama Project Artifact 5 Tic Tac Know Game Artifact 6 Multimedia (Need Ezedia Player to View) Table of Contents Introduction Resume Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4 Additional Artifacts Conclusion

8. Table of Contents Introduction Resume Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4 Additional Artifacts Conclusion LaToya West Instructional Technology Portfolio Thank You Dr. Judith Repman (ITEC) Dr. Kenneth Clark (ITEC) Dr. Elizabeth Downs (ITEC) Mrs. Veronica Miller (Fickett Elementary LMS) Mrs. Laire Walker (Bunche Middle School LMS) Teach For America Atlanta Office Thank you for sharing my experiences with me. LaToya West [email_address]