Adventures in Education

     Last year was my first ISTE.  I came home wide eyed and full of passion.  I told my boss that his one mistake in sending me was that I wanted to go back.  He told me that he would see what I did with what I learned.      I brought passion projects into my lab.  Passion projects were amazing!  I learned my kids in a way that I never got to know them before.  I developed deeper relationships with my kids than ever before.  The pinnacle moment was an 8th grade special needs student who presented her project on restoring antique cars.  She went 2 minutes over the maximum time, and I wasn't about to stop her.  When the kids gave her feedback, there was a respect for her in their eyes.  This is a child who stuttered and struggled to speak in front of others.  The children told her how much they learned from her, and they told her that they were amazed at what she had done.          I helped teachers participate in mystery calls.  We had experts Google Hangout Live with our clas

      One of my goals for the summer is to become a Google Certified Educator.  After attending a Google in Education Summit, I knew that I wanted to get my certification.  I decided that it would be best to wait until summer so that I could focus on preparing and taking the tests.      At first, I felt the urge to put it all off because I was nervous about not passing.  Finally, I settled in and did the prep work by going through the lessons.  I used what I know about how I learn to help me prepare.  I put in the time, but I still had to talk myself into just getting started on the test.  I found a comfy spot, took a deep breath, and started.  I had to remind myself to do the things we always tell the kids: slow down, read carefully, don't worry about the time, answer those you know first, and then go back to those you need more time to answer.       I went through the test checking my work a few times.  Finally, I took a deep breath and submitted the test.  I was holding my

     I have spent the last month reflecting a lot as I worked on the parts of my Google Teacher Academy application.  It really forced me to think.  The question about how do I innovate in my classroom and in the educational community really was tough for me at first.  My first instinct is to say that I am not such an innovator because there is so much really great and cutting edge instruction happening.  Being a connected educator in the last year has opened my eyes to what is happening in education all around the world.      It occurred to me as I went through many rough drafts and storyboards that innovation can be very different depending on where you are.  For some innovation means you are moving in a direction that no one else is because you are already ahead of the curve.  For some of us it means that we are continuing the slow and steady movement toward improvement with reluctant learners.     Two years ago, I often felt lonely and isolated on my campus.  When you are the on

      A few days ago, I was asked if I had any plans for what to do with my computer lab.  I clarified if the person wanted to know about down the road.  When they confirmed I was on the right track, I asked if they wanted my "pie in the sky" plans.  They gave me the green light for that.  Then, I think I shocked them because I have already been toying with this in my mind for almost a year.         Currently, we have 2 computer labs on campus.  The first lab is for PK - third grade students.  The students use this lab under the supervision of their teacher.  Our second lab is for fourth - eighth grade.  I am responsible for the lessons that the students complete.  I am the only teacher in the room with them at the scheduled class time.      So what have I been tossing around in my brain?  My first suggestion is that the fixed tables full of desktop computers be removed.  I pointed out that the room truly does not allow space for students to collaborate.  My dream would be

     I admitted before that sometimes I tend to take too long to think about things.  Well Mr. Couros, I spent a lot of time thinking about what you said in your session, "Leading Innovative Change"at ISTE13.  I already agreed with you about the smartest person in the room being the room.  Focusing on relationships wasn't something you had to convince me to do.  I experience too much "mind your own business learning" around me so I was still with you.  We are on the same page with learning being the focus over technology.    I was with you through that presentation.  Then, you pushed me out of my comfort zone.  You asked us to raise our hands if we thought we could teach you something.  I must admit I did not raise my hand.  You managed to hit on one of my insecurities.  I have no problem teaching those around me because they are not very tech savvy.  When I come to large conventions though, I don't feel like I am able to teach others because I see so many

     I have been reflecting a lot on how much has gone on for me professionally in the last year.  I am amazed at what a single year can bring.     The biggest change for me was to embrace and use Twitter.  I had set up an account in August 2009, but I rarely used it.  I had not found the way it fit into my professional life.  I was an occasional lurker who gathered some links and ideas.  Last year, the permission and funding was given for me to attend my first ISTE.  This led me to jump into Twitter and start connecting.        A Twitter chat truly changed me as an educator.  I began to have a conversation with a moderator of a chat who works at the American International School in Hong Kong.  He and I started with a simple exchange of tweets.  He is now a cornerstone of my PLN.  Together, we began to look at how we could form connections between our schools.  This grew into an international book club that included a principal and her teachers from Ohio.  Utilizing Google Hangouts,

     So let's be honest here.  I stink at blogging.  I have made multiple attempts to get started and never seemed to get going.  This is an area I need to improve, but too often it feels like one more thing to get done.  I also tend to think too long about things before I am ready to put them down.          I am sitting here tonight truly humbled and amazed.  In February, I was at a Google in Education Summit #giesummit.  Paula Naugle (@plnaugle) brought up that Louisiana was one of ten states that did not have a state ed chat.  She asked Nate Kellogg (@nkellogg) and me (@mrsmhebert) if we would be willing to start up a chat.      Less than two months later, here we are with a successful first #LAedchat under our belt.  It was a little nerve wracking before we started wondering if we would have enough people for a thriving conversation.  Turns out, the time and feed went speeding by.  New connections were made between educators from Louisiana, all around the U.S. and even