Who Are You, Leila Lehtmets, Educational Technologist of the Year 2024?

Meet Leila Lehtmets from Kose Gymnasium, the Educational Technologist of the Year 2024!

We asked Leila a few questions to get to know her better.

What motivated you to choose the profession of educational technologist?

In my case, I think it’s a bit the other way around — the profession of educational technologist actually chose me. It seems that for quite a few teachers, the work of an educational technologist just naturally comes your way, because when you’re a teacher who loves the digital world, people inevitably come to you for advice and help.

Over ten years ago, I joined eTwinning, which is a virtual community for European teachers that allows educators to collaborate internationally. I can confidently say that eTwinning strongly guided me toward the work of an educational technologist, because teachers there collaborate online and use a variety of digital tools in their activities. In my opinion, every eTwinning teacher is also, at heart, an educational technologist, because they’re skilled with digital tools and are active, innovative, and open-minded.

Through eTwinning, I met Ingrid Maadvere, who probably needs no introduction to any educational technologist. Ingrid has been a huge role model for me, always full of exciting ideas, as well as years of experience to back up her advice. I am immensely grateful to Ingrid for guiding me onto this path and supporting me!

How do you support your colleagues and students in your daily work?

I want to be 100% “present” for them. I want all staff and students to feel that they are not alone in the digital world and that there’s someone available who can help and whom they can always confidently turn to for advice. For me, it’s a major success when a student comes to find me on their own, for example, because they received a strange message or noticed some other internet safety issue. It feels really good when I’ve earned a child’s trust and they believe I can help. The same goes for colleagues — it’s very rewarding when a teacher comes to me to ask questions, to inquire, or to seek help. Of course, I also conduct internal trainings for teachers, where we address current digital topics.

I try to participate with students as much as possible in various national and international projects, competitions, and contests. The joy children experience from participating, being active, and learning in different ways is enjoyable for me too.

What innovations or solutions have you implemented in your work that have been well-received?

The most visible change has probably been transitioning from paper-based document circulation to electronic. While there were skeptics at first, I now see how efficiently information moves electronically and how satisfied the teachers are as well.

How do you keep up with developments in educational technology?

Here again, the eTwinning community is a huge help to me. We exchange information, learn from colleagues, and attend trainings.

I also really enjoy self-paced learning, and if I find something interesting or come across a problem that needs solving, I often get help from YouTube, Google, or fellow educational technologists and IT specialists. You definitely can’t complain about a lack of information these days — quite the opposite! There’s so much to learn and start using, but there’s just never enough time! If someone mentions an interesting application, or I read about it in a newsletter, or it comes to me through a search engine, I always make sure to take the time to explore its possibilities a bit more closely.

What skills or qualities do you think are most important in the work of an educational technologist?

I would place collaboration skills at the top. Openness to new things, a desire to learn, and helpfulness are also essential. An educational technologist doesn’t need to know everything in the digital world, but they do need to know how to find solutions and suggest possibilities.

How do you inspire colleagues and learners to embrace digital technology?

The best advertisement is when things become simpler and faster for the teacher through the use of digital technology, and the teacher themselves realizes that it’s really not so complicated. I also believe that not every person will become an eager user of digital tools. Just as I personally don’t enjoy embroidery or knitting, I can’t assume that everyone would love tinkering with computers. But when a person understands that it will make their life easier, they will start using digital tools in the way that suits them.

With students, it’s a bit trickier, especially younger ones, because they often think that if you’re good at computer games, you must automatically be super skilled at using a computer. When a student realizes that digital competence doesn’t mean just consuming what’s on the screen, but that it enables you to create, develop yourself, collaborate, etc., then we’re moving in the right direction. A student’s joy and pride in what they’ve created deserve to be shared with others, which is why I always try to showcase students’ digital creations to inspire other children as well.

How do you assess collaboration with your colleagues? What makes it especially enjoyable?

Great colleagues are an essential component of a positive working atmosphere. I enjoy being in an environment where you can safely joke around but also offer a supportive shoulder when needed. If you happen to visit the teachers’ lounge at Kose Gymnasium’s primary school building during a break, you’ll hear contagious laughter as well as empathetic listening and solution-seeking. It’s equally important to feel that the leadership is open to innovations and ready for change. Kose Gymnasium has two academic buildings. While I work as an educational technologist in the primary building, the main building has a very active young educational technologist, Katrin Taniste, with whom I exchange ideas and reflect on viewpoints as we search together for the best solutions. I can certainly say that I’m incredibly lucky with my colleagues.

What do you think about being nominated for this recognition? How does it feel to receive this kind of feedback?

My first thought was a very typical Estonian reaction: why me! Surely there are many others far more deserving of this recognition. Still, it’s important to know how to accept recognition and sincerely be happy about it, because it means that my work has been noticed and that I’ve helped the school develop. It’s a very warm feeling to know that colleagues value and notice you.

What inspires you and gives you the strength to do your work every day?

As I’ve mentioned before, definitely my colleagues, the students, and of course the rapid development of technology. In the education system, our profession is probably the one that requires the most constant keeping up with changes. I teach computer science to primary school students, and many materials I prepared just last school year are already hopelessly outdated. Digital technology evolves so fast: every day brings new and exciting opportunities that were unimaginable just a few years ago. Naturally, other educational technologists and their activities are also a great source of inspiration. It’s never boring!

And when a colleague comes up and says, “Thank you, you taught me such a great thing, I use it every day now!” — that truly warms the heart!