Who Am I? I am an educator, wife, mother and lifelong learner. I currently reside in Wauconda, Illinois which is a small town located in the northeast corner of the state. I have lived in the local vicinity nearly all of my life. It is where I have met my husband, married, worked and have raised my children.
My initial educational path led me to an undergraduate degree aligned with graphic design and electronic media. I was a pre-press designer for 11 years, 7 of which I worked as an independent freelance designer for print materials. I transitioned into the education field in my 30's when my own children were in the primary grades. I would visit their classrooms and was excited to participate within an environment that focused on exploration, creation and growth. I knew then that the educational setting was my future path. I returned to Trinity International University to acquire my Illinois teaching certificate. This program was a traditional, in-seat accelerated evening program aligned for adults desiring to teach. The program was termed "Reach to Teach". I began my teaching profession as a First Grade teacher at Big Hollow School District #38. While teaching I yearned to refine my instructional practices. I returned to education and acquired a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Saint Mary's then following with two additional post graduate certificates. One, 21st Century Interventions and Learning from the University of Saint Francis and the other, E-learning and Online Teacher from the University of Wisconsin, Stout. All of my graduate work has been completed within an e-learning environment. Through my own educational experiences, in-seat and on-line, I have been apprised to the flexibility, differentiation, choice and control that online learning environments offer. My greatest knowledge acquisition, understanding, and growth has been within a computer-mediated, online environment. I am passionate about learning within this setting and seek to refine my skills once again to become an active facilitator/educator of this medium within education. |
At heart, I am a creator. What are my experiences? After teaching in the classroom for five years, I was promoted to the district RtI (Response-To-Intervention) Coordinator. This position offered me my first experience with teaching our teachers how best to implement multi-tiered interventions to students in need of additional support academically and/or behaviorally. I remained in that position for 3 years. I then transitioned to Educational Technology Director for the district.
To broaden my experiences as a Director of Technology, I accepted a position within a larger school district that is predominately Google and IPad based. Within this position, my focus was to bring technology into our district to further support teaching practices, student learning and parent education. During my tenure my communication skills were utilized daily as management of the district website and communication materials were managed under my oversight. In 2017, the Communications Department was officially established under my purview. I remained the lead of the Communication and Technology Departments for 3 years. I remain employed at Zion Elementary District 6 as the Director of Technology & Innovation. What do I enjoy? When not working, my true passion and hobby is creating and revitalizing; whether it be designing materials, embarking on craft projects, updating my home, or learning about alternative approaches to health, wellness, and being. I also enjoy cooking and the outdoors. Nature, in general, is my respite. |
Data Source:
Staples, Donelle. Donelle Staples photo. Digital image. N.p., 15 Sept. 2014. Wed. 18 Feb. 2015.
Staples, Donelle. Donelle Staples photo. Digital image. N.p., 15 Sept. 2014. Wed. 18 Feb. 2015.