EducationLeadershipSchoolhouse Heroes

Schoolhouse Heroes: Maria Esterline

By August 15, 2019 No Comments

This series spotlights the incredible work being done by amazing educators from all over the world, in a variety of roles. While classroom teachers are on the frontlines, directly impacting our students on a daily basis, educators wear many different hats and are in many different positions. Maria Esterline humbly agreed to share a bit about the work she is doing in Florida.

Maria is an Instructional Designer at the University of Florida. The following are the questions I pose for all of the spotlighted educators, and Maria’s answers.

What do you love most about your job?

I love the collaboration with the Professors in the process of developing online course. I love engaging in conversation with professors to learn more about their interests and connecting their interests to the development of the courses. I love weaving the professors’ passion with the execution of elevating the online course to the level where students feel a sense of connection to the professors.

How do you make the greatest impact on students?
One way that I feel my job has allowed me to make the greatest impact on students is through backward mapping with the professors. One of our first conversations in the process of course development is asking the professors to share their vision of what they hope the students will get out of taking this course. From this conversation, we begin the planning process of how to make the structure of the course to achieve the goal the professors want the students to take away from the course.
What do you wish more people knew about education?
Education is the foundation to the many paths that open up to many different career paths. Education is a fundamental key that unlocks dreams that turn to reality.
What is your favorite learning resource (person, podcast, book, Twitter chat, conference, etc)?
Simon Sinek, Angela Maier, Alan November, Dream Big podcast by Bob Goff, Together is Better by Simon Sinek, who Owns the Learning by Alan November, #Waledchat, OLC, ISTE, HECC, Interface, Instrucon
Anything else we should know?
I hope to create a conference where learners of all different paths come together to ignite a passion in other learners to embrace their paths and create authentic paths of life! #ignitealight #igniteaspark
Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. As educators, our goals are all the same – connect with students and provide them all they need to be successful in life.