Marty Sierra-Perry

Yearbook 2001

MS-P Marty Sierra-Perry
Teacher of English at Centennial High School

Curriculum Specialist English/Language Arts 9-12 for Champaign School Dist.#4, Illinois

What I liked best about the CTER OnLine program: I appreciated the flexibility of the online meetings, and the 'just-in-time' instruction. While certainly not one of the hardware specialists (Roger-Wilco, comes to mind!), I feel competent in my approach to new software or hardware. I don't panic. I reason through what I think should happen, try it, evaluate my efforts, and if not successful, try again! I have been made to feel comfortable asking CTER support for HELP when all else fails. Everyone in CTER, and members of the CTER2 cohort have been supportive, I was especially proud of the last TEAM (Mozart) effort--'Together Everyone Achieves More' was definitely in evidence.

How I managed to fit the coursework into my hectic life: I scheduled two hours in the evening for CTER work, usually after my son went to bed around 9:00 p.m. If there was a lot of reading, I would use the time from 5-6 a.m. before I left for work at around 7:00a.m. On the weekends I would chunk out five hour blocks as needed.

CTER OnLine has impacted my professional career in the following ways: The course topics and for the most part the CTER assignments have had real world application. The time I spent re-working my curriculum during the assessment course paid off in my classroom. I used the information from the grant writing when working with a colleague on a Reading to Learn Grant. This was a competitive grant, and we were one of ten selected. Through the funding from this grant, the impact will be in the classroom directly affecting the students. I have mentored other teachers in my building in technology, and now, a few are seeking out additional technology training. The collegiallity and collaboration of CTER have improved the quality of my professional life;I would like to foster that spirit in my workplace.

Have you had any major life changes you'd like to share? (marriages, births, new jobs, etc.) I am still married, and my son is proud of my 'sticking with it' when I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up!

My most memorable experience in the CTER OnLine program: Recognition of my work ethic and the quality of my work by CTER2 members.

Return to Yearbook 2001

	Marty Sierra-Perry Teacher of English at Centennial High School Curriculum Specialist English/Language Arts 9-12 for Champaign School Dist.#4, Illinois
What I liked best about the CTER OnLine program:	I appreciated the flexibility of the online meetings, and the 'just-in-time' instruction. While certainly not one of the hardware specialists (Roger-Wilco, comes to mind!), I feel competent in my approach to new software or hardware. I don't panic. I reason through what I think should happen, try it, evaluate my efforts, and if not successful, try again! I have been made to feel comfortable asking CTER support for HELP when all else fails. Everyone in CTER, and members of the CTER2 cohort have been supportive, I was especially proud of the last TEAM (Mozart) effort--'Together Everyone Achieves More' was definitely in evidence.
How I managed to fit the coursework into my hectic life:	I scheduled two hours in the evening for CTER work, usually after my son went to bed around 9:00 p.m. If there was a lot of reading, I would use the time from 5-6 a.m. before I left for work at around 7:00a.m. On the weekends I would chunk out five hour blocks as needed.
CTER OnLine has impacted my professional career in the following ways:	The course topics and for the most part the CTER assignments have had real world application. The time I spent re-working my curriculum during the assessment course paid off in my classroom. I used the information from the grant writing when working with a colleague on a Reading to Learn Grant. This was a competitive grant, and we were one of ten selected. Through the funding from this grant, the impact will be in the classroom directly affecting the students. I have mentored other teachers in my building in technology, and now, a few are seeking out additional technology training. The collegiallity and collaboration of CTER have improved the quality of my professional life;I would like to foster that spirit in my workplace.
Have you had any major life changes you'd like to share? (marriages, births, new jobs, etc.)	I am still married, and my son is proud of my 'sticking with it' when I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up!
My most memorable experience in the CTER OnLine program:	Recognition of my work ethic and the quality of my work by CTER2 members.