My Job + Foursquare

I'm an instructional technology specialist, ITS.  In the district I work for, an ITS is assigned a feeder pattern, a high school with all of the elementary and middle schools that feed into it along.  Many of us also serve auxiliary and special schools in that area.   When requested, we also serve the private schools in our area.  On average, each ITS serves 9 to 11 campuses regularly, year round, with anything instructional technology.  

Personally, my favorite days are when I team teach a technology integrated lesson with a teacher and work with students.  It's a great way to remember my roots as a classroom teacher.  How else can you continue to relate with the people you work for? I don't ever want to be that staff developer that people point out and say, "She has forgotten what it's like to be in the classroom." 

Many of my actual days fill up quickly providing technology staff development, supporting my campuses in various ways, leading special PLCs, teaching a small group who are planning something specific when they don't see a training offered on-line, or one-on-one sessions for teachers that feel more comfortable with a tutoring session away from their peers.  Let's not forget squeezing in time for endless paperwork.

Since I move from campus to campus, I've decided to offer a new way for my teachers to follow me if they want to know when I am at their campus.  I created an account with Foursquare.  It's a social networking tool you can use to check in when you arrive somewhere.  I have been using Foursquare to check in when I arrive or as I'm leaving a new location at work because I can't provide a consistent schedule. Then, I set up my foursquare to also post to my facebook and twitter automatically. If someone needs me, there are many ways to send me a message so that I will know to stop by when I am on campus.  If you notice I'm on one campus more than another, that's simply because I'm being requested there more. I do work for 9 campuses, film What's Appening at the EPISD TV Studio, work with the Gene Roddenberry Planetarium, have staff meetings, and am asked to work on special projects and present at conferences for the district.  I think Foursquare is going to help me become more visible with a simple check in.