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About Zachary Pasillas

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As a teacher and community advocate, I strive to remedy the challenges of adverse childhood experiences (ACE), poverty and violence. I'm intrigued by the motivation that is cultivated by different supportive and discouraging learning environments, and how overcoming the achievement gap can transform our society. I'm committed to social justice, seen through my 10 years in education, and nonprofit director roles. 

I was drawn to the Innovative Learning program at TUC because of it's focus on design. As Daniel Pink points out, design is a skill set that is invaluable in every work place, including education. As teachers we are designing the experience for our students. As a right/left brain type, the program has been engaging and expanding.

The teachers' creed, is also a guiding light for my teaching. In Loco Parentis, or in place of the parent, sets the stage for teachers to be more than instructors, for me this is the fun part of teaching, being the mentor and role model is essential for students without a stable home life. I've witnessed on countless instances, students waking up to their potential when their teacher believes in them. I try to engage my students with In Loco Parentis in mind, it's what makes a good teacher great.

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Reflections on My Journey

My TPACK journey has been eye opening. Honestly, before entering this program, the idea of grading and refining technology use wasn't clear, it seemed like some tools work, other didn't, but really looking at the combination of pedagogy, content knowledge and technology, creates the venn diagram that solves that puzzle.  I've also learned a lot about tech tools that are effective vs. superficial. The SAMR model points out that DOK is expanded when technology is more that a mere substitution for analogy tools.  These tools and the engagement from the cohort has made me a better teacher without a doubt. To learn more about my discoveries, check out my blog!

Lasting Learning From the Innovative Learning Program

This program has taught me a lot about design, both aesthetically, and pedagogically; how we are designers of young minds through sense-making, good technology implementation (TPACK), and promoting motivation (SITE).  As a teacher for 7 years, I really didn't have time within the whirlwind of the school year to stop and ask, how do we do this better. This program has offered the bandwidth to do just that. Especially when it comes to technology implementation, a design is necessary. I'm astounded that TPACK was a new concept when entering this program; it seems so central to working with technology effectively, I hope future school leaders will make time to make this resource more available.