Applied Digital Learning

Reflection on My Learning Journey

 

Discovering Choice, Ownership, and Voice

 

I first realized the true power of COVA: Choice, Ownership,

Voice, and Authentic learning, when I began crafting my

Innovation Plan for Crosby High School. Rather than following

a prescribed path, I was asked to design a real-world solution

for my own organization. That's when I began to envision

teacher and student e-portfolios as vehicles for authentic

learning, reflection, and college/career readiness. At first, the

freedom felt both thrilling and intimidating. Coming from a

structured environment driven by deadlines, compliance,

and documentation, I wasn't used to so much autonomy. But

that's exactly where transformation began.

 

 

 

From Compliance to Creativity

 

My initial reaction was hesitation: “Was I ready for this?”. To adjust, I had to unlearn habits of "waiting for directions." I embraced progress over perfection and leaned into creativity and reflection. I realized that authentic learning means owning the process, not just the product. Now, instead of fearing open-ended tasks, I seek them out. If I could begin again, I would take even more risks early on and trust the iterative process that authentic learning demands.

 

 

 

Finding My Voice as a Leader

 

Owning my voice meant embracing vulnerability. I had to

move beyond fear of administrative expectations and learn

to speak with clarity about what matters: which is student

empowerment, teacher autonomy, and meaningful reflection.

Through my e-portfolio journey, I've learned that authentic

leadership requires courage. Sharing my beliefs through

presentations, reflections, and public artifacts allowed me to

embody what I now model for others: reflection, agency, and

action.

 

​

​

​​

From Mandate to Meaning

 

Before COVA, I viewed change as something we managed through structure and compliance. Now, I understand that sustainable change grows from authentic experiences and relationships. The  Creating Significant Learning Environments (CSLE) framework reinforced that my role is not to deliver learning, but to design environments where learning thrives. This shift transformed both my leadership and my classroom vision. My innovation plan wasn’t just coursework; it became a living blueprint for cultural change at Crosby High School. Every component, from the UbD framework to the 4DX scoreboard, connects back to empowering learners with choice and purpose.

 

 

Alignment with My Learning Philosophy

 

The COVA and CSLE approaches align perfectly with my

evolving philosophy of learning:

 

• Learners must be active creators, not passive recipients.

• Reflection deepens understanding and identity.

• Authentic learning connects personal purpose to

       organizational growth.

 

My learning philosophy now centers on empowering

others to think critically, reflect deeply, and take ownership

of their journey, just as I have.