Congratulations! You've been accepted into the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert Program!

My heart jumped when I received an email yesterday, 2 September 2021, with the header: 'Congratulations! You've been accepted into the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert Program'.  This year Microsoft made it especially difficult for teachers to enter the program, so I was totally delighted when it happened. 

What did the email say?

"Dear Fiona Beal
Congratulations on being selected as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert for 2021-2022! Each year, Microsoft selects Innovative Educator Experts to be part of this exclusive global community paving the way for their peers to share ideas, try new approaches, and learn from each other. We are inspired by your achievements and look forward to working with you throughout the one-year engagement, and beyond.

You will be joining a group of some of the most amazing educators who are empowering the students of today to create the world of tomorrow. At Microsoft, we believe that technology alone cannot build 21st century skills for students. It is an accelerator, but the power of change lies within educators. That is why we bring changemakers, like yourself, together to recognize and grow your achievements.

You have been chosen as an MIE Expert because you are self-driven, passionate about your work, have true collaborative spirit, and strive to inspire students with outside-the-box thinking on technology in education. We appreciate your resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit. As agents of change, you have achieved excellence in education, using technology and social media. We are grateful for the opportunity to tap into your enthusiasm and enable others to benefit from what is clearly your passion."

The coveted badge has arrived

This is my seventh year of earning this badge. The words accompanying this badge say: "Earners of this badge are educators who have been selected as Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts for 2021-2022. They are self-driven educators who are passionate about teaching and learning. They inspire students with creative thinking, and work in a collaborative spirit to share their learning with the world. Resourceful and entrepreneurial, they relish the role of change agent, and work to achieve excellence in education using Microsoft technologies paired with innovative teaching."

The year will be very exciting. Microsoft will see to that! I think teachers love to be appreciated. They love earning badges taht have a lot of meaning. Added to that teachers enjoy being linked to a group of like-minded educators around the world in various events. They are notified of new ideas, new programs and have a wealth of free courses to upskill themselves in. I enjoy all of this so much. 

I am looking forward to this year with Microsoft!