Introduction

Thanks for visiting my blog!  My name is Alan Neuwirth and I am currently a student at Wayne State University in the Instructional Technology program.

This is not my first time at Wayne State.  As an undergraduate student, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Education at Wayne State University with a major in Social Studies and a minor in English.  Later I earned my Masters degree in K-12 Educational Administration through Michigan State University, however I have not pursued a leadership position because of my passion for working directly with students.  My current plan is to complete an Ed Specialist degree through Wayne State in Learning Design and Technology.  This degree should offer me additional options as a teacher, granting me an endorsement in online teaching as well as technology instruction.

Currently I am in my 7th year of teaching at Bloomfield Hills Middle School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  I have taught both English and Social Studies classes in 7th grade, and I also run an academic extension course called Digital Design, where students use technology tools to make digital movies and learn the basics of coding.  I also coach forensics and sponsor a technology club after school as well.

Whenever I am not performing for my students in the classroom, I can usually be found performing on the stage.  I fell in love with theater in high school, and have since been involved in various community theaters and singing groups in the area.  Writing is also a hobby of mine, though I have found it harder to do in recent years due to the demands of the job as well as college assignments.  I also enjoy working out and have recently fallen in love with running in order to keep in shape and calm my mind after a crazy day at work.

Technology is the key to the future of our profession, and I hope that this class will provide me with the latest tools to engage and motivate my students to take control of their learning.