https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction A personal introduction to who I am as both an individual and an educator. en-us 2023-06-28 20:13:49 UTC 2025-10-18 15:18:43 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/2615.png wtwombly https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634571283 2023-06-28 20:28:27 UTC https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634571283 wtwombly https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634575428 I started my adventure in education work to improve reading scores and skills with Job Corps in Kansas City-I was there for 3 and a half years. 
I left there for Wellington-Napoleon High School where I taught freshman and sophomore ELA, Journalism, and Drama. I was the drama club advisor and yearbook/newspaper advisor. I also had numerous roles mentoring new teachers and teachers just simply new to technology!
I currently am a freshman ELA and journalism teacher at Odessa R7-last year was my first with this district. I am the yearbook and newspaper advisor. Last year, I had several opportunities to work with our district curriculum coordinator on curriculum initiatives and implementing them at the high school level.]]> 2023-06-28 20:39:50 UTC https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634575428 wtwombly https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634579329 I have a lot of experience with Google Education Suite technologies-like the Jamboard I uploaded a PDF of. What I am hoping I get from this class is a way to expand my tool kit-technologically speaking-to improve my curriculum and make my classroom more engaging. I also hope to find some new tools that I feel proficient enough in to present to my peers and benefit their classrooms.]]> 2023-06-28 20:51:12 UTC https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634579329 wtwombly https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634614498 An interesting fact about me is that I am a crazy plant lady! I have 2 gardens-one that is solely for pumpkins. I also have a tremendous amount of landscaping that wraps around our house and a deck full of plants that I bring inside during the winter-this includes my 2 lemon trees and 3 hibiscus plants that are multiple years old. This past year, I even expanded to having live plants in my classroom-which my students love. It was nice to share my hobby with them and I think they liked having something we cared for. I had classes claim certain plants and name them even!]]> 2023-06-28 22:55:56 UTC https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634614498 wtwombly https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634617184 I primarily use technology for the purposes of journalism. Within in my journalism classes, we go hard on the technology front. I have students use Flipgrid to record interviews or voice aps on their phone. We use Google Shared Drives and Classroom to post assignments, share to our student editor, and collaborate on spreads. Our design apparatus is completely online and we us Canva and Photopea to edit photos. I have a Canva classroom space for students to design marketing as well. Within my ELA classroom, I am always looking for new technology. We use NoRedInk, Canva, Google Education Suites (sometimes in unconventional ways), and several game sites like Kahoot or Blookit. I would not say it is completely innovative, but the are steps forward.
In my personal life, I use social media a great deal. I also love TikTok and Pinterest for the how-to craft and cook videos (not much of a dancer!). I have gotten my family to use Shared Drives for pictures which was super fun for grandparents! I also use creative design tools on my Cricut. These are new to me, but I am having a lot of fun exploring!!]]> 2023-06-28 23:04:15 UTC https://padlet.com/wtwombly/introduction/wish/2634617184