November 15

Welcome to my first blog...ever! I was recently awarded a service contract to to work with MITS (Michigan's Integrated Technology Supports) in a joint effort to begin the process of establashing UDL in our schools. What is UDL? I'll get to that later...I will be using this blog to vent, boast, share and de-stress about what happens when you trying for systemic change in education. Here are some of my goals and activities I hope to accomplish this year in Allegan County, MI:

Introduce all teachers and special education staff to concept of UDL via a guest speaker, Online Learning, Video Conferencing and Hands-on Learning.

Implement UDL in classrooms by providing technology, teaching strategies and professional development for staff. (Start with one school, offer incentives)

Establish local Assistive Technology teams and help them provide referral, assessment and ongoing documentation of effective use of AT. (Offer incentives)

Work closely with Technology Coordinators and Curriculum Directors in Allegan to aid in implementation of technology and curriculum materials.

Work with counties in Region 3 and throughout the state to share resources including bargaining power for lower prices on equipment and software; sharing used equipment; sharing national speakers, sharing local expertise.

Develop a searchable database of equipment in lending library including an online ‘catalog’ of equipment in the lending library.

Develop online courses for most frequently used AT equipment and tools.

Implement new technology and strategies, such as neural feedback for ADHD and LD students.

and of course-Anything else the AAESA (Allegan Area Educational Service Agency-my employer) deems appropriate for this position.

Not sure if you noticed, but I included a few 'incentives' along the way. Yes, it has gotten to the point that teachers are so busy and overworked that adding monetary motivation deems necessary. Good teachers work at least 2 hours a day overtime without getting paid. Incentives are my way of saying I noticed you are a hard worker and if you want to add 'this' into your already busy life, you will be rewarded.

You'll soon be able to tell if I bit off a little more than I could chew...next blog will provide info and update on how I'm trying to establish local AT Teams...I'm off to participate in a Webinar
entitled Every Child is Listening: Proven Steps to Increase Student Attention and Classroom Learning . Later!