Applied Digital Learning

From Compliance to Creativity: My ADL Journey

By Karimi Najera Garcia, M.Ed. Applied Digital Learning

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When I first began the Applied Digital Learning program at Lamar University, I thought I knew what to expect—assignments, lectures, deadlines, and long nights spent writing papers. What I didn’t expect was how much it would change me, not just as a learner but as a leader. At that time, I was used to doing things by the book. My work as a teacher and coordinator was guided by checklists, deadlines, and procedures. I was efficient and organized, but I was also stuck in a world of compliance. I hadn’t yet learned how to blend creativity and purpose into my practice. This program changed that.

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The ADL program taught me that learning doesn’t come from compliance; it comes from curiosity. The moment I was introduced to the COVA framework, everything started to make sense. I realized that I didn’t need to wait for permission to innovate. I could design learning experiences that were meaningful to me and, more importantly, meaningful to the teachers and students I serve. That was the beginning of my shift from rule follower to reflective leader. The COVA model gave me the freedom to create, to experiment, and to find my own “why.”

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But even with this newfound freedom, I didn’t walk this journey alone. The people I met along the way—my professors, classmates, and base group, became my community. We weren’t just students completing a program; we were educators building something together. We shared our struggles, celebrated our breakthroughs, and supported one another when life got hard. Some of my favorite learning moments didn’t come from the readings or lectures but from those late-night discussions where ideas flowed freely. We challenged each other to think differently and, in the process, grew into better versions of ourselves.

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One of my biggest milestones was creating my ePortfolio. At first, the idea of putting my reflections /blogs and projects out for the world to see was intimidating. But as I started designing, writing, and building, I realized this wasn’t just another assignment; it was my story. Every page, color, and post represented growth, both personal and professional. Through my ePortfolio, I found my voice as a digital leader. It became the space where I could merge reflection with creativity and connect who I am as a person to who I am as an educator.

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Of course, there were hard moments too. Balancing work, family, and graduate school was no easy task. There were nights when I’d finish a 504 meeting, cook dinner, help with homework, and then sit down at my computer completely exhausted, but determined. There were times I felt stretched thin, questioning whether I could keep up with everything. But those long nights taught me perseverance. I learned that meaningful learning doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from persistence.

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Over time, I realized that my work was becoming more than a collection of assignments, it was the start of real innovation. My innovation plan, focused on implementing ePortfolios for high school students, became the foundation for everything I created in this program. I wanted to give students and teachers a platform to showcase their learning journeys, to move away from static grades and toward authentic growth.
 

What made all of this possible was alignment. When my purpose aligned with the tools and people around me, everything started to click. The frameworks we explored in the ADL program, COVA, UbD, and 4DX—weren’t just academic concepts; they became part of my leadership language. COVA taught me freedom. UbD taught me design. 4DX taught me focus. Together, they helped me turn my ideas into a plan and my plan into action.

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Still, I know there’s always room to grow. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to slow down a little, to enjoy the process more and worry less about perfection. I’d remind myself to seek feedback earlier and collaborate more deeply, because the best ideas often come from conversation. I’d also push myself to take more risks with technology and creative tools instead of waiting until I felt ready. Growth, I’ve learned, doesn’t wait for perfect conditions,it happens in the messiness of learning.

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Reflection has become my anchor. It’s what helped me turn challenges into lessons. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about controlling outcomes; it’s about inspiring growth in others. When you lead with empathy and purpose, people don’t just follow, they grow with you. Through the ADL program, I’ve learned that my role as a leader isn’t to have all the answers; it’s to create space for others to find their own.

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Today, I can honestly say I’m proud of where I am. I now serve as the 504 and ESL Coordinator at Crosby High School, a role that allows me to combine everything I’ve learned about innovation, leadership, and reflection. I get to support teachers, advocate for students, and create learning environments that prioritize growth over compliance. Through my innovation plan, I’ve helped bring digital reflection to life on our campus. Teachers are starting to view professional learning as something dynamic and personal, and students are beginning to see their progress as more than just numbers on a report card.

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But this isn’t where my story ends, it’s where it continues. My next step is completing my Principal Certification and pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership. As a first-generation college graduate, these goals mean the world to me. They represent more than academic achievement. they represent possibility. I want to show my students, my own children, and my community that growth never stops. I want to continue leading change, not by enforcing it, but by inspiring it. My goal is to help transform professional learning so that every teacher and student has the opportunity to own their learning, reflect deeply, and create something that matters.​
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Throughout this program, I experienced every emotion imaginable, excitement, exhaustion, pride, frustration, and joy. There were nights filled with self-doubt and mornings filled with gratitude. But I wouldn’t change any of it. Every challenge made me stronger, every success gave me confidence, and every setback reminded me to keep going. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about being fearless, it’s about showing up, even when things feel uncertain.

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When I look back on what I’ve accomplished, it’s more than I could have imagined. I developed and implemented an innovation plan that’s changing how teachers and students reflect. I designed learning experiences using UbD and OBE principles. I built a blended course in Canvas, completed an action research outline, and recorded my own podcast. I created a leadership philosophy grounded in empathy and authenticity. I produced a storytelling video, crafted a learning manifesto, and applied the 4DX framework to lead real change. Each piece of coursework built on the last, forming a bigger picture of who I’ve become as a learner and leader.​

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This program taught me that leadership begins with learning, and learning begins with courage. I entered ADL focused on structure and compliance, but I’m leaving it with creativity, confidence, and clarity. I now see education not as a system of rules, but as a space for possibility. Every student, teacher, and leader deserves to experience learning that’s meaningful and alive.

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As I move forward, I’m committed to creating spaces where people can take risks, reflect, and grow. My vision for education is one where compliance turns into curiosity and where creativity fuels connection. This journey didn’t just prepare me for a degree, it prepared me to keep learning for life.

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In the end, the most important lesson I’ve learned is that leadership isn’t about titles or authority, it’s about influence, empathy, and reflection. It’s about creating environments where others feel empowered to do the same. The ADL program helped me find my voice, refine my purpose, and strengthen my belief that change begins with people who care enough to try.

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And that’s what I’ll carry with me into every classroom, every meeting, and every opportunity to lead, from compliance to creativity, and from learning to lasting impact.