Leveraging EdTech to Reimagine Inclusive Conversations
Celebrating the Art of Teaching, One Educator at a Time
We’ve been publishing educator stories through our guest blogging program, The Art of Teaching, for over eight years. Educators from all over the U.S. have shared their perspectives on what makes teaching so deeply fulfilling despite the seemingly never-ending challenges.
We think it’s important to pause and celebrate them individually. Every one of these educators and bloggers brings their own unique skills and perspectives to what makes teaching a true art form. We’re sitting down with them to find out what brought them to teaching and how they continue refining their practice.
Today, we spoke with Stacey Roshan, an EdTech enthusiast and expert in using technology to facilitate inclusivity and engagement in the classroom. Stacey published her first blog with the Art of Teaching project in 2017.
Can you tell us about your path through various roles as an educator?
My journey as an educator began as a math teacher. Before that, I briefly worked in economic consulting, but math and teaching always held my heart. My mom was a math teacher and gave me the best math education from the time I was in elementary school. Through her teaching, I was able to volunteer tutor beginning in high school, and I loved it. Deep down, I think I always knew I wanted to become a teacher, and I’m glad I followed that path, even if it wasn’t my first.
What motivated you to enter education?
As I evolved in my teaching practice and developed a passion for integrating technology into my math teaching, my role as a high school math teacher gradually shifted to more and more work with teachers. From high school technology integrationist, I became the K-12 director of innovation and educational technology. In those roles, I had the opportunity to deeply explore the potential impact of infusing edtech tools into our curriculum and lesson design. The tinkering, innovating, and lesson design were my favorite parts of my role. I get a special thrill from taking a tool created for a specific purpose and discovering ways to use it for different purposes (i.e., using a video discussion tool for collaborative problem-solving or a timeline tool to document progress and portfolio reflections).
What’s the most important way you think technology has changed education so far?
My greatest interest in educational technology revolves around using simple web tools to better understand every student and empower all personalities. The way I’ve been able to connect with students and teachers on a personal level would be hard to replicate without technology. I have gained a more holistic sense of needs and insight into what’s going on beyond just the curriculum I’m trying to teach.
I have a huge personal interest in whole-person wellness and confidence being integral to learning. With the right tech tools, I’ve made real headway in cultivating an understanding of individual needs that would have otherwise gone unexpressed. An introvert by nature, I have been determined to find ways to include all voices in conversation. Careful and thoughtful planning of forums to supplement traditional oral discussion has led me to discover powerful ways to rethink what inclusive conversations look and feel like.
What does the Art of Teaching mean to you?
Stacey chose to answer this question in video format!
Read Stacey’s blogs for the Art of Teaching here:
Follow the conversation #WhyITeach
To be reminded why your work is so very important and for more stories and advice, visit our collection of teacher perspectives at The Art of Teaching.
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