A degree in teacher education provides each of its graduates the opportunity to make a difference in and impact on their community. Victoria Thompson is a great example of the possibilities and variety of career options available to those passionate about education.
What are your responsibilities in your current role?
I began in teaching as a math and science teacher at Cane Bay Middle School in Summerville, SC. During that time I completed my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. As of January 2019, I reside in the Seattle area. The impetus for this change was for my fiancée’s career in the Air Force but it also gave me a chance to switch up my career too.
I am an educational technology strategy consultant, which means that I work with marketing and deploying education technology solutions (think collaborative technology, learning tools, and assistive technology) to districts nationwide. This year we plan on expanding the number of districts we assist from six to 40. Most of my work is done with the company that I work for, but I also do some external consulting with schools in the Seattle area where I get to show teachers how to use technology effectively. I also help out with various educational technology projects for the technology scene in Seattle, and I contribute to a Seattle education technology professionals group.
What do you enjoy most about your career?
The opportunity to influence education from a different point of view is the most enjoyable part of my career. I work with a bunch of strategists, software developers, and marketers so it’s not uncommon that I am the only person in the conference room with a background in K-12 education. So they’ll be speaking about the new features of a product, and I’ll have to interject and say something along the lines of “educators would like this, but can we adjust it to make it more user friendly?” or “this is a platform for elementary school students but the content is about 12th grade biology…we need to change that.” There is so much that goes on behind the scenes of education that is just as important as what goes on in the classroom–and with a concept as crucial as technology in schools, I’m glad that I’m an active part in the discussions on a larger scale. Educational technology is where I feel the most at home and I’m glad I get to make a career out of it.
How did participating in the Teacher Leader program impact your education and help prepare you for your career?
To be completely honest, I don’t think I would have the career that I have now if it weren’t for the Teacher Leader program. It opened up my eyes to the “bigger picture” of education and how it really is made up of many moving parts. It forces you to be change agents in the field of education. In the classroom I felt empowered to tackle any challenge, and now that I’m in the “corporate world” I feel exactly the same. It’s also a standout on my resume. Every interview I’ve ever had for a job, they ask me about the Teacher Leader program.
What advice do you have for undergraduate teacher education students?
Take advantage of every opportunity given to you. The more that you volunteer, participate, and demonstrate leadership now, the more people that will take note of you later on. Also, stay in touch with your mentors and professors.
