Wolberg implements technology training for Costa teachers

By Kayla Samimi

News Editor

Mira Costa Vice Principal Kristin Wolberg released a video on Monday that encouraged teachers to attend technology coaching sessions, which triggered complaints to Wolberg from Costa teachers.

In the video, Wolberg included clips of students who supported the further use of technology at Costa. She stated that by using student input, she hoped to show teachers the benefits of technology.

This is the first year that Costa will offer one-on-one technology coaching sessions in addition to group training. Gretchen Gabreski and Jason Marshall, who are both Teachers on Special Assignment in technology, will coach individual sessions every Wednesday. It is not mandatory for teachers to attend the sessions, but it is encouraged, especially for teachers with technology-related questions.

“The one-on-one coaching model allows teachers to decide what is best for their curriculum, their kids and their needs,” Wolberg said. “Our goal is to allow teachers to learn something they want to develop.”

A number of teachers sent complaints because they felt  that the video was criticizing their teaching styles. Teachers also complained because they felt that the video assumed that they are not already utilizing technology in the classroom.

“There is so much more to the idea of technology, and I think [the video] missed its mark by a lot,” Model United Nations teacher Robert Timberlake said. “Twenty students do not represent the entire student body, let alone 115 teachers.”

Wolberg met with a group of five teachers on Wednesday to discuss these complaints. She stated that the miscommunication was resolved at the meeting, as she clarified that her intentions were to make resources accessible to teachers rather than enforce training upon them.

“[The meeting] was amicable,” Costa History teacher Wayne Knutson, one of the five who met with Wolberg, said. “Everyone was confused about [the video], but a resolution was found.”

While the teachers met with Wolberg on Wednesday, the sessions were open for the first time, and the TOSA’s met with teachers throughout the day. Wolberg stated that the first session had a successful turn out. They will continue if teachers utilize the opportunity throughout the year, according to Wolberg.

“No one is saying that [these sessions] are the cure for everything,” Wolberg said. “They are a tool that anybody can use at their choice.”