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New Tech Renews Educator’s Passion for Teaching
By Christine Marson

Indiana is now home to 12 educators who have attained the 21st Century Teacher Certification through New Technology Foundation. Amy Blackburn, one of the latest teachers to be certified, explained how she achieved this recognition and shared her experiences with the New Technology High School model at Zebra New Tech High in Rochester.  

To be certified as a 21st Century Teacher, educators must complete a rigorous process that includes attendance at new teacher training events, self-evaluation using the 21st Century Teacher Rubric, submission of a letter of intent, and completion of a New Technology Foundation review. "I found the certification process to be an informative and meaningful learning experience. Not only did it allow me to reflect on all aspects of my practice, it also improved my application of project-based 21st-century teaching," said Blackburn.

Now a ninth-grade biology teacher, Blackburn started her career with a degree in medical technology and seven years in a hospital lab. "I always thought it would be neat to teach students about the medical field, so one day I made the career change," she explained. However, to her surprise, teaching students the traditional way she was taught during her schooling was not effective. "They were completely bored. I began wondering if this was the right job for me," she said.

Blackburn's perspective changed when conversations surfaced about creating a New Tech school. "I attended the meetings, made two trips to Napa and Sacramento to see the school models, and was really impressed," she said. "The students were engaged. I realized I didn't have to teach chapter by chapter. These trips and meetings introduced me to project-based learning, and I knew this could work in my biology classes."

Now working as a New Tech teacher, Blackburn's enthusiasm for the model remains. "Instead of lecturing to students, we work in teams on projects and get out in the field to apply what we've learned," she said. "For example, last month I took some kids to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis to see the display of their virtual cell model. Next week, I have two girls presenting their work on foreign oil to the General Assembly, thanks to Indiana Congressman Joe Donnelly. Experiences like these make a huge impact in students' lives."

In addition to project outcomes, Blackburn finds an important aspect of the New Tech model to be relationships. "This work is incredibly rewarding in large part because of student and teacher relationships. Teachers don't stand in front of the classroom lecturing. We talk with each child on a regular basis, either one on one or through small group work. Students feel comfortable coming to teachers with challenges; trust is key in the relationship," said Blackburn.

When asked to share advice, Blackburn focused on resources. "Use your resources. Ask other teachers questions, even if they don't teach in your content area. Use the project library and the sharing space online. Just use all resources," said Blackburn.

“Learning these 21st-century skills through project-based learning is very important and effective. It really makes a difference for these kids," she said. "My certification as a 21st Century Teacher has given me the opportunity to become better at my craft and more proficient at teaching students to learn in a 21st-century world."