Cultivating Google Certified Educators in L.A. Unified
by Thais Leung, Instructional Technology Facilitator at Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet K-12
My work as an Instructional Technology Facilitator (ITF) at Lake Balboa College Preparatory Magnet (LBCPM) K12, and the type of support I am able to provide has been largely scaffolded by the above professional learning opportunities. After receiving my Google Educator certifications, I was able to provide our school with sound instructionally guided knowledge and recommendations to optimize the use of the G Suite. I made myself available as a resource and support to all teachers, regardless of their initial level of comfort with a particular tool. Depending on the level of support needed, I would model the use of Google tools, co-teach with classroom teachers, and/or co-plan on how to use the G Suite as an instructional tool in the classroom.
Once I received my Google Trainer certification, the range of support that I was able to provide was extended. My role involved providing innovative ways to implement the Google Suite tools, by not only showcasing different ways tools can be used in the classroom but also by engaging in coaching and mentoring practices with teachers. The coaching and mentoring aspect is paramount for effective training. On a daily basis, I support teachers as they engage in the use of the Google Suite for Education and other ed tech apps. The level of support provided spans from the inception of ideas, planning on how to apply and optimize the tools available in G Suite, execution of the plan, and reflection on how the lesson went.
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Becoming a Google Trainer has allowed me to focus the knowledge gained through my Level 1 and Level 2 training in creating professional development materials to support teachers in the classroom. I provide weekly Google Certified Educator workshops for our staff as a professional learning opportunity. These workshops are meant to introduce the pedagogy of using the available Google Suite for Education tools as an ed tech resource, build upon work already being done in the classroom, showcase different ways the Google tools can be integrated in their classroom, build personal learning networks, and finally prepare teachers in becoming Level 1 Google Certified Educators. All parties involved (teachers, ITF, administrators) are invested in this professional learning opportunity and expect that the transition to leveraging technology in the classroom through instruction will be smoother as teachers go through the preparation for the Google Educator Level 1 certification.
It is incredibly heartwarming to see how invested and driven our teachers are during the workshop as they ask questions, struggle, and persevere through “Google Challenges” every week. Implementing the Google Suite for Education in the classroom has many instructional benefits, but it is also a big change from the traditional classroom instruction. As part of my work as an ITF, I truly believe that for meaningful change to happen there needs to be a “desire” to do so from all parties involved. Seeing our teachers at LBCPM commit to spending an extra hour a week after a full day of classes and more (our Elementary teachers also teach intervention after school), is a shining example of having this “desire” for change. Our teachers are cultivating the “knowledge” necessary for this change through our workshops, and their commitment to preparing our students with 21st Century skills deserves to be highlighted.
You too can cultivate Google Certified Educators at your school site! The Instructional Technology Initiative provides certification training to all District schools, offices, division, departments and Local Districts through our Google Certified Trainers. To request a Google Level 1 and/or Level 2 training and certification for your Local District, department, office or school, please complete this Google Certification Interest Form.