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\nHi I am Mandy Davidson Acting Principal Teacher Curriculum Support (Wider Achievement) RME\/RMPS\/Care\u00a0 at Lenzie Academy<\/a>.<\/p>\n
I came to be a Microsoft Expert<\/a> because it was the easiest way to find out how the limited technology I had could be put to the best use.\u00a0 Nobody around seemed to know the answers to my questions or to even know a person who might. Discovering the Microsoft Educator Centre<\/a> and meeting individuals like Malcolm Wilson<\/a> (@claganach) and Sarah Clark<\/a> (sfm36)\u00a0 and Ian Stuart<\/a> (IanStuart66) helped me see what could be done if I kept trying. My first sway for the MIEE application focussed more on what I hoped to do than what I had already achieved. I was amazed when I was given the place on the roll of honour!\u00a0 The more I\u2019ve talked about my role as an MIEE, the more I have realised that there is a barrier between many of my peers engaging with this massive CPD opportunity and ironically it is not \u201d time\u201d that none of us have had prior to lockdown. The barrier is recognised by many departments in my school and no doubt schools around the country, who display posters detailing the different approach between having a fixed mindset and having a growth mindset. Yet the very teachers who encourage their pupils to\u201d prepare to fail \u201d as a learning opportunity, to accept they are always learning and quote the line \u201cit is not I can\u2019t but I can\u2019t yet\u201d, will shake their heads when I suggest that they too can become a Microsoft Expert. I always say I use a computer like a drive a car; I can do the basics and familiarity makes it easier, but I\u2019m no mechanic!<\/p>\n