Teach With INFOhio

INFOhio ICoach Spotlight: Kimberly Carlson

Author // Jill Finnan Wednesday, 13 March 2024

 ICoach spotlight Kimberly Carlson image template

 

INFOhio, Ohio’s PreK-12 Digital Library, supports educators statewide by providing quality digital content, web tools, and professional development at no cost. Through our train-the-trainer INFOhio ICoach program, teacher leaders learn to integrate INFOhio’s digital content into instruction using our Learning Pathways training curriculum. Educators build capacity as teacher leaders by offering professional development opportunities for their own schools and districts on INFOhio tools and resources. INFOhio empowers Ohio educators to become teacher leaders by expanding their professional learning network through our ICoach train-the-trainer program.

Every quarter, INFOhio will be featuring the amazing work of INFOhio ICoaches across the state. Not only are INFOhio ICoaches trained to share INFOhio’s quality resources with their schools and districts, but they are also champions of equity. At INFOhio, we believe that every Ohio student deserves the opportunity to learn from high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials to become a resilient, lifelong learner who contributes to society. 

 

WHEN YOU HAVE 30 MINUTES OF FREE TIME, HOW DO YOU PASS THE TIME?

Reading! I’m an avid reader and I love all of it—from children’s books up to the latest thriller. I am on my sixth Kindle and I bring it everywhere with me so I can read if there is a moment. Reading is how I escape the stresses of daily life and relax.

 

 

IF YOU COULD BE ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? WHY?

If I could be any fictional character, I would choose to be Diana Bishop from the All Souls Series. She is intelligent, brave, and has magical powers which would be super cool. 

  

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING AN INFOHIO ICOACH?

I love being able to share quality resources with students and teachers that are curated by INFOhio. It truly is a one stop shop for books, articles, videos… and so much more! The best part is, all students and teachers in Ohio can utilize this amazing resource without a plethora of paid subscriptions. 

 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INFOHIO RESOURCE? WHY?

My favorite INFOhio resource would be the various World Book options. I know this is a safe way for our students to research without sending them off to the internet to Google a topic. The runner-up prize for my favorite goes to BookFlix. This is always my “gateway” resource when I do professional development to open teachers up to the world of INFOhio tools. It’s no prep and the kids love it! 

 

DESCRIBE YOUR "BIGGEST WIN" THAT DEMONSTRATES HOW YOUR ROLE AS AN INFOHIO ICOACH AND INTEGRATION OF INFOHIO RESOURCES SUPPORTS INSTRUCTION, STUDENT LEARNING, OR EQUITY WITHIN YOUR SCHOOL.

My biggest win was feedback I have received from a special education teacher at my school. She attended one of my INFOhio professional development sessions and now uses INFOhio frequently with her students. The teacher uses INFOhio to build background knowledge for her students to scaffold their learning and make lessons more engaging. She most likes the fact that it is accessible to students at any cognitive level.

  

Are you interested in learning more about becoming an INFOhio ICoach? Find INFOhio ICoaches in your area and discover more about the INFOhio ICoach train-the-trainer program on INFOhio’s site. In addition, we are always here to help, if you have questions, comments, or would like to be our next featured INFOhio ICoach please contact us at support.infohio.org.

About the Author

Posted by: Jill Finnan

Jill Finnan joined the INFOhio team in 2022. She focuses on early learning initiatives and supporting educator professional learning. She has more than 16 years of experience which includes crucial work in professional development for educators, Quality Rating & Improvement Systems (QRIS) leader and coach in both Ohio and Arizona, and as a teacher and administrator in childcare centers, preschools, and elementary schools. Jill received her B.S. and M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. Her passion lies in helping early learners thrive and succeed.

Jill Finnan
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