Welcome to It's Not About the Technology!

So, this is something I've been wanting to do for a long time -- start a blog.  I actually have a blog, but the only thing I post are links and descriptions of various tech tools and websites.  This blog is going to be about my experiences working in the ed tech field.
I'll start out giving you my background.  I am finishing up my 18th year of being a Technology Coordinator in a small K-8 public school district in the Chicago area.  The past three years, in addition to being a tech coordinator, I have also been an Instructional Technology Coach at our middle school.  Working with students and teachers has always been my favorite part of this job, so my move towards coaching and away from boxes and wires has been great for me.

Those of you who are in the tech ed field will most likely understand the title of this blog:  It's Not About the Technology.  While my jpb titles might imply a love for technology, my true passion is for helping students learn in fun and meaningful ways.  I have seen that done without the use of any electronic devices.   We are in year two of our 1:1 Chromebook rollout, and I often get asked the question:  "How can I integrate technology into my classes?"  My response is always:  "What do you want your students to learn?"  While we usually end up using some form of technology in many of the projects and activities that we try in the classrooms, it's never a requirement.  The focus is always on student learning.

I am grateful to ISTE's Blogging Buddies program for encouraging me to get this blog up and running.  I am looking forward to taking part in this program and learning from other educators around the globe.