| Kim
Cofino
About
Me
 I
am now in my 9th year of teaching technology in international
schools around the world with my husband, Alex, a professional
writer, editor and ESL/English teacher.
This international
adventure began with my first trip abroad in 1997, as part
of a study abroad program in Florence, Italy. That semester
in Italy was enough to convince me that I was born to travel!
Upon my return to the University of Connecticut for my final
2 years of
undergraduate study, I began to research ways to live abroad
and in the process, discovered teaching. I began as an ESL
instructor for international teaching assistants and mentor
for international exchange students at UConn. This taste of
education prompted me to look for ways to teach abroad, and
thus, I discovered the world of international schools.
My first
international school posting was at Munich International School
in Germany, where I
stayed for 5 years. During those five years in Germany, I
was trained as an MYP technology
teacher and was approved as an MYP Trainer. I developed and
implemented the integrated
technology program at MIS, as well as infusing the curriculum
with multimedia tools like
digital video, website authoring and media rich presentations.
I also had the opportunity to
present my work at MIS at several conferences, including the
Association of German
International Schools in Hannover in January 2005, and the
MYP Advanced Teachers
Conference at the International School of Amsterdam in March
2005.
After
five years in Germany, I was ready for another adventure,
and so began my career at
Mont'Kiara International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Again, I developed an
implemented the integrated technology program at M'KIS, infusing
the curriculum with even
more multimedia tools, as well as new web 2.0 tools like blogging,
wikis, and podcasts.
During my two years at M'KIS, I continued my professional
development by joining the SUNY
Buffalo Educational Leadership cohort at the International
School of Kuala Lumpur. The
course included exciting workshops ranging from Assessment
in International Schools with
Bambi Betts, to Integrating Differentiation and Understanding
by Design with Jay McTighe,
and Cognitive Coaching with Bill and Ochan Powell. Engaging
in this coursework helped me
realize how much I enjoy curriculum development and design
that focuses on project-based
learning that naturally embeds the authentic use of technology
tools as appropriate for our
21st century learning environment.
Now, as
the Elementary School 21st Century Literacy Specialist at
the International School
Bangkok, my work is focused on helping core subject teachers
utilize web 2.0 technologies in
the classroom, creating a global and collaborative approach
to learning. Over the past two
years I have worked with classroom teachers to develop internationally
collaborative projects
that authentically engage students from all around the world,
helping them become effective
21st century learners, collaborators and creators. Due to
my extensive work with teachers, I
have begun consulting with other international schools interested
in implementing 21st
century learning, been profiled on a number of educational
websites and journals, am often
asked to be a guest speaker at conferences and professional
development sessions, and have
consistently shared my learning with others through a number
of conference presentations.
Throughout
my years as a teacher, I have always strived to consciously
grown and develop
as a learner. I enjoy reflecting on my professional experiences
on my blog, Always Learning,
as a way to practice what I teach. Outside of school, I enjoy
travel, cooking, yoga, jewelry
making, reading, movies, and anything that has to do with
technology.
I am an
enthusiastic, passionate educator, who truly loves working
with children and adults. My goal as an educator is to teach
students and teachers how to learn, and to ensure that every
person I work with leaves feeling comfortable, confident,
and excited about the challenges and rewards that technology
has to offer.
Personal
Narrative: What Makes an Outstanding Educator?
As
the middle school Academic IT Coordinator for at Munich International
School, I had the challenging job of integrating technology
into the core curriculum subjects for all 400 of our middle
school students. One of my favorite projects was a movie project
with grade 5. I believe that the way I planned and taught
that unit, in collaboration with the grade 5 teachers, exemplifies
many of the skills that help make me an outstanding educator.
An
outstanding educator is one who challenges her students in
new and creative ways every day. The goal of my week-long
project was to get students excited about using their language
arts skills in new ways by introducing them to digital video
editing. Using digital video cameras and iBook laptops with
iMovie software, the students filmed and edited trailers advertising
a movie version of the book they were reading in class.
An
outstanding educator encourages students to try new things
and to share ideas through collaborative learning.
Students were divided into small groups and given the task
of creating their trailer. The students worked together to
plan, write, act, direct, and film their scenes.
An
outstanding educator inspires her students through enthusiasm,
expertise and excitement. Through a process based
on the MYP Technology Design Cycle and utilizing the PYP practice
of inquiry, the students went through the stages of investigation,
planning, creation and evaluation to complete the project.
Each group used the inspiration of real movie trailers they
found online to plan their script and storyboard. After filming,
the students edited their videos, adding titles, music, transitions
and video effects.
An
outstanding educator recognizes the need for differentiation
in the classroom to enable all students to succeed.
Each group worked at their own pace according to their own
abilities and needs. Each project was different, but all fulfilled
the expectations of the unit. Student evaluations indicated
that they thoroughly enjoyed the project and have become competent
digital video editors; ready to tackle the next new technology
that comes their way.
Above
all, an outstanding educator knows that teaching is
a learning experience and that, upon reflection,
she always has room for improvement. This project was a fantastic
experience for me, and the students, and I know the next time
I teach it, it will be even better.
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