Introduction

Hello! My name is Julie Pierce. I am a teacher at Pawnee City School in Pawnee City, Nebraska. I grew up around Lawrence, Nebraska on a farm. In high school I found I enjoyed working as an aide in the elementary school. I found my calling, teaching. In 1997 I graduated from Creighton University with a B.S. in elementary ed. My first teaching job took me to the Panhandle of Nebraska. From there I moved to southeast Nebraska. Here I met my husband. We have three children.

I was in high school at the beginning of the age of technology for schools. My sophomore year a new Mac lab was constructed. I learned right along with the teachers. In my first teaching job the school purchased a mac lab with a server for student access. Now I teach elementary technology in my current school. This is a Mac lab. So the vast majority of my computer work is Mac. I have worked with PCs but am just more comfortable with the Mac interface. Technology is my classroom. Projectors, scanners, digital cameras, video cameras, iPods, microphones, computers, interactive tablet, and much more are available to use in my curriculum. I also have a great deal of software installed as well, Kidspiration, Comic Life, Photoshop Elements, Office, and Kidpix. The current version of Office on my computer is 2004. I am extremely lucky to teach the subject I do.

A masters in education was something I have wanted to obtain for awhile. I was going to apply two years ago but found out I was going to have another baby so I postponed my education. Learning is never finished....I just thought a masters would allow me to become a better teacher. My husband has been a big supporter for me to receive my masters. Another teacher at my school encouraged me to do the cohort program with her and another colleague. Also the financial incentive to complete my degree is another push to complete the program. I plan to use my degree to provide maximum educational opportunities for my students.