Brain Abeling


	Yearbook 2000

Brian Abeling
Technology Coordinator Pekin School

District #108 Pekin, Illinios

What I liked best about the CTER OnLine program:

I loved working from home and working at my own pace. From my view, it seemed that there was the right mix of face to face and on-line interaction.

How I managed to fit the coursework into my hectic life:

My wife's answer to this would be: "He's ignored me for the last two years - that's how he got it done". And to a certain degree, she's right and I owe her a tremendous amount of thanks and recognition. It certainly would not have been possible with you, Janna. Thank you.

I also owe some credit to Pekin District 108, and our superintendent, Perry Soldwedel. Not only did I work on the coursework from home, I also worked on it at school during the work day. Many of my final projects were used for my coursework and for projects within our district. When this was the case, I was allowed to work on the project during school time.

In the end, I think the CTER program not only had a positive impact on me as an individual, but it also impacted our entire district.

CTER OnLine has impacted my professional career in the following ways:

Prior to the CTER program, I was mostly viewed as just a "techie". Even though I was a former classroom teacher, most teachers associated me with only the technology, not instruction and technology. Overtime, I think the CTER program has helped to "balance" me and the perception that others have of me.

Perhaps the most significant impact from CTER has been the CTERBase program. From the moment I saw it, I began envisioning the possibility of adapting it for professional development and student instruction. Over the last year, we developed a similar program called DataTracker that we use for tracking and assessing teacher professional development and are now working on expanding the model to the student-teacher level. In fact, we've even presented the system to other school district across the Midwest and the East coast. After the presentation, we are flooded with questions, requests, and even job offers. It's clear that school districts are not only anxious to fill their tech positions, they are down right hungry when it comes to looking for staff that are instructional focused but can also walk their talk with technology. And I thank the CTER program for helping me move closer towards this well-balanced position instead of being seen as just a "techie".

Have you had any major life changes you'd like to share? (marriages, births, new jobs, etc.)

After completing the program, I was "officially" recognized as the supervisor of our district technology center. My contract was also renewed with a nice increase in salary and benefits.

My most memorable experience in the CTER OnLine program:

I loved the Wildwood Junior High evaluation - however, there is no doubt that the CTERBase was the most memorable experience for me. For days, my mind ran wild with ideas and possibilities for how it could be used in our district. There is no doubt that exposure to the CTERBase system has changed the role that I play in our district and how technology is used in instruction and professional development.

By the way, a special thanks to Jim Buell for all his hard work throughout the entire program. Jim - I am totally in awe of your technical wizardry.

Return to Yearbook 2000

	Brian Abeling Technology Coordinator Pekin School District #108 Pekin, Illinios
What I liked best about the CTER OnLine program:	I loved working from home and working at my own pace. From my view, it seemed that there was the right mix of face to face and on-line interaction.
How I managed to fit the coursework into my hectic life:	My wife's answer to this would be: "He's ignored me for the last two years - that's how he got it done". And to a certain degree, she's right and I owe her a tremendous amount of thanks and recognition. It certainly would not have been possible with you, Janna. Thank you. I also owe some credit to Pekin District 108, and our superintendent, Perry Soldwedel. Not only did I work on the coursework from home, I also worked on it at school during the work day. Many of my final projects were used for my coursework and for projects within our district. When this was the case, I was allowed to work on the project during school time. In the end, I think the CTER program not only had a positive impact on me as an individual, but it also impacted our entire district.
CTER OnLine has impacted my professional career in the following ways:	Prior to the CTER program, I was mostly viewed as just a "techie". Even though I was a former classroom teacher, most teachers associated me with only the technology, not instruction and technology. Overtime, I think the CTER program has helped to "balance" me and the perception that others have of me. Perhaps the most significant impact from CTER has been the CTERBase program. From the moment I saw it, I began envisioning the possibility of adapting it for professional development and student instruction. Over the last year, we developed a similar program called DataTracker that we use for tracking and assessing teacher professional development and are now working on expanding the model to the student-teacher level. In fact, we've even presented the system to other school district across the Midwest and the East coast. After the presentation, we are flooded with questions, requests, and even job offers. It's clear that school districts are not only anxious to fill their tech positions, they are down right hungry when it comes to looking for staff that are instructional focused but can also walk their talk with technology. And I thank the CTER program for helping me move closer towards this well-balanced position instead of being seen as just a "techie".
Have you had any major life changes you'd like to share? (marriages, births, new jobs, etc.)	After completing the program, I was "officially" recognized as the supervisor of our district technology center. My contract was also renewed with a nice increase in salary and benefits.
My most memorable experience in the CTER OnLine program:	I loved the Wildwood Junior High evaluation - however, there is no doubt that the CTERBase was the most memorable experience for me. For days, my mind ran wild with ideas and possibilities for how it could be used in our district. There is no doubt that exposure to the CTERBase system has changed the role that I play in our district and how technology is used in instruction and professional development. By the way, a special thanks to Jim Buell for all his hard work throughout the entire program. Jim - I am totally in awe of your technical wizardry.