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Google Teacher Academy Application Reflections


     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 one who loves using new tools and technology to improve the classroom on your campus, you are in the position of being the innovator.  Being the innovator is not always the easiest place to be.  Change is difficult.  Some are more open to new ways of doing things than others.  My PLN has helped me to not feel alone in the things I am doing.  They have exposed me to things going on in their classrooms and districts and have provided amazing advice.
  Putting together my application video became much easier when I changed the perspective that I approached it from.  I have been innovating in my own way this year.  I got my teachers using Google Calendars to replace their paper test calendars.  They can check the test schedule from anywhere.  An international book club via Google Hangouts was an eye opening experience.  Having the author selflessly give of his time to join us was an amazing thing.  It is easy to forget how small our world has really become.  Getting the perspective of educators from Hong Kong and the U.S. exposed different ideas and thoughts.  We are working on continuing our learning group next year, and I look forward to seeing where it takes us.  Attending a Google in Education Summit was another eye opening experience.  It showed some new ways to use Google in our school.  It even had a Boot camp to help me get ready to take my Google Educator Certification Tests, my summer project.  I have put together a PLN of techs from within my district to support and help each other.  Having those who are in the same circumstances to ask for help has been powerful for all of us.  I am also enjoying being part of #LAedchat as we get Louisiana teachers connected and talking.
     When we slow down and reflect, we are often amazed at all we have accomplished.  I know that this has been a very powerful year for me as an educator.  I am awed by the connections that have been created and strengthened in one short year.  I am looking forward to the summer as a time to renew, reflect, learn, and connect.  I am so excited to be setting our students up with GAFE accounts.  I am hopeful to get to be a part of the Google Teacher Academy, but no matter what happens it has been a powerful year for me and my students.

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