In what ways do you connect with online students?
Students in my classes will be engaged through our Canvas course site in a variety of ways. Teachers are now looking for new ways to get their professional development, and that is one of the main reasons I started using social media. Aside from the professional conferences I attend, most of my professional reading and professional engagement comes from Twitter. I highly suggest my students follow me on Twitter, and engage in EdChats to keep current in the field, while being mobile and flexible! I plan to use Twitter with my students, and they can find me at @InstructorLynn
What do you want your students to take away from class?
I want students to connect their learning to their past and current experiences, so we will do a lot of reflection and connection activities. I believe the best measure of learning is that feeling you get intrinsically when you have worked hard to participate in our course activities, and begin to apply and synthesize through connecting what they are learning with their current or future role as an educator. I want students in my class to measure their success by that "feeling" they get when they are learning!
What advice would you give to your online students?
Our courses are tailor-made for those who are currently teaching in the field, or who are living a busy life and need the flexibility that online classes offer. My advice to my students is to set aside time to fully engage in your coursework. Don't just check a box off of your list, but be sure that you are using these opportunities to grow professionally. The knowledge and skills that you are going to take away from our coursework will make an impact on your students and the many adults you collaborate with on a daily basis in ways that you may never know!
What qualities make someone particularly successful as an educator?
Be flexible, be open-minded, and be willing to collaborate and listen. If you can do these three things, you will be successful in any role within education!
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
I do a lot of traveling, so I love using technology to read. I listen to the Bible online every morning, and I think every teacher needs to read "The Energy Bus"!
What do you do when you need a laugh?
I love "Modern Family" and "The Middle".
Tell us something your students may not know about you:
I am married to Brian, who is an elementary principal, and we have a son, Cooper and a daughter, Sofia.
I am a sports fanatic, and never pass up the opportunity to watch an athletic event, whether I know someone playing or not! The best days of my life are the ones I get to sit in a lawn chair watching my son or daughter play soccer or baseball.
Our family goal is to travel to all 50 states before both of our kids graduate from college.
We have a hunting dog named Truman (after my alma mater, Mizzou's Truman the Tiger).
I never have a day without coffee and dark chocolate!
