Wings and a Wand 10/22/23 – I started my journey in the ADL program prepared for what I encountered while working on my BBA, and afterward, my teaching certification that included textbook exams and formal essays along with a master’s thesis.  I had rarely experienced a project-based learning environment except for a graphic design course that I loved.  Thus, I was pleasantly surprised, excited, and also filled with trepidation when I realized in one of my first of two courses that I was going to create an ePortfolio. 

As an amateur photographer, I knew how to put together a portfolio just like an artist, but had never worked on an ePortfolio to house my work in education.  My choice, ownership and voice had been expressed in my photographic portfolio many years ago, so I soon realized that this could be the case in my ePortfolio.  However, I initially felt overwhelmed with the amount of choice in website platforms and what it would require to be proficient.  Ultimately, I chose WordPress because I had been exposed to it as an administrator for a ministry organization and liked the layout.  I leaned into a Growth Mindset mentality even before that ADL course as I dug into the website platform and made multiple mistakes which required a bit of grit to push through the frustration for my desired result.

While creating my ePortfolio, I also built out my Innovation Plan and placed the initial pieces inside it. My Innovation Plan is an authentic piece of work that I believe can change my organization if given the full opportunity.  My present position as an EB Instructional Coach has allowed me the ability to start implementing my Innovation Plan with fidelity.  With the complications of moving into a remodeled building along with a drop in district funding, I have had to adjust my implementation timeline which is a true part of ownership in an authentic learning environment. 

After experiencing what a significant learning environment is like in the ADL program, I feel more confident in creating my own as I implement my Innovation Plan with the COVA approach for my colleagues along with their students.  Also, by experiencing the COVA approach in my own learning, my learning philosophy has undergone a change to include a constructivist mindset that has influenced my initial behaviorist mindset which I brought into my work in the ADL program. My Literature Review expresses this insight in more detail.