Standard+VII+-+Reflection

“Without adequate infrastructure support, teachers are easily frustrated and prone to abandon technology, dismissing it as unreliable” (Sandholtz & Reilly, 2004; Zhoa, 2004). This statement perfectly describes the state in which my previous district was in until we were lucky enough to get a highly skilled and experienced Assistant Superintendent of Technology, Rick Martinez (the same Rick Martinez highlighted in the Case Study written on pages 169-171 of the //ISTE’s Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards// book.)

In 2005, Southwest ISD received a new Superintendent, Velma Villegas. Having been in the district for 7 years prior to her coming on board, and serving under 3 other Superintendents, I can say will all sincerity, she was a the best leader our district had in a very long time, if not ever. As I read the article titled, //Practitioner’s Guide to Creating a Vision// by John M. Casey, I was simply amazed as to how similar the experiences and actions taken by the Superintendent being discussed in the article, were to what our new Superintendent was and had been doing in our district as she worked to establish and implement her vision.

A big part of her vision was to infuse technology in all areas of our district goals. To that end, she searched for and brought on board a highly respected and qualified technology leader that would help her fulfill her vision, Rick Martinez. By her actions and words, it was obvious she understood that “One of the most important steps to developing a successful technology program is hiring a technical director or coordinator” (Whitehead, Jensen, and Boschee, 2003, p. 162).

For me, a novice in the field of Educational Technology, Standard VII: Procedures, Policies, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments is the most difficult standard to try and address because it “Highlights the need for highly technical staff who can plan for, procure, implement, and maintain technological equipment” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 162).

I cannot even begin to express just how fortunate I am to have worked for and learned from Rick Martinez. His knowledge, experience, and overall work ethic were nothing short of amazing and inspiring. So many times I have looked back and wondered how I ended up in the field of Educational Technology, and h﻿ave to realize and attribute the change in the course of my career to the actions of Rick Martinez. What he managed to do and accomplish in the short 5 years he worked in our district, before retiring, is nothing short of a miracle.

I can only hope that someday, I to can become the type of leader that others will reflect upon and strive to be like. We all need and want role models in our lives, and for me professionally, I look at Rick Martinez as that role model. I now realize that my views are not misplaced, since he is discussed and displayed as a role model in the ISTE’s Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards book from which others are able to learn from as well.

**References **  Sandholtz, J., & Reily, B. (2004). Teachers, not technicians: rethinking technical expectations for teachers. Teachers College Record, 106,487-512.

 Whitehead, B., Jensen, D., & Boshchee, F. (2003). Planning for technology: A guide for school administrators, technology coordinators, and curriculum leaders. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

 Williamson, J & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.