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When I started the, 8 Weeks of Summer Blog Challenge for educators, I found myself continuously thinking of insights and inspirations. As a result, I've condensed my reflections to one post. Week 2 :  Ponder your Professional Past -- What has contributed to the educator you are today? Listening to the students, and trying to meet their needs contributed the most to my being the educator I am today. Each and every student has different motivators and needs. Discover what works best, and continue to evolve. Week 3 : Leader & Follower -- How are you both a leader and a follower in your career? The best leaders are also followers, because we improve by learning from one another. We learn with our students, colleagues, administrators, staff, families, and communities. It reminds me of that quote, "The smartest person in the room, is the room." Week 4 : Lead Learner -- What are optimal conditions in which to learn, for you, and for students? When thinking throug...

“This post is week 1 of 8 in the 8 Weeks of Summer Blog Challenge for educators.” Goal: Reflection through Connection I've spent ample time reflecting, but haven't had the courage to connect and share.  Thus, with the encouragement of Sheri Edwards , I will partake in this summer blogging challenge .  One of the topics I'm passionate about is the importance of media literacy, with a spotlight on discerning valid and reliable sources. Goal: Squashing fake news The investment and value of informational literacy, such as using and teaching about reliable sources , should be prioritized. Strive to educate our students as well as our educators about the use of "educational technologies" as literacy, rather than something optional. In a world of fake news and alternative facts, it is crucial that people learn to use the Internet and other digital media sources effectively and reliably.  -- Julie Coiro Final thoughts While discerning fak...

I wonder how we might treat others if one of our deep beliefs holds that empathy isn't optional. Be humble and intent on monitoring our judgments We might not know the narrative of others -- strangers, family, friends, colleagues, staff, and students -- and we could miss an opportunity to be kind,  serve , and dignify another human being. Empathy  is not an occasional event like window-shopping, with multiple options to consider.  Empathy  is the marrow of relationships, that comes from humility, encouragement, and taking notice of humanity. Daily challenge Look for inspiration of empathy in action.  Take advantage of opportunities to make a difference. Ask, "Who might I need to be in order to treat others the way I wish to be treated?"  What might the world be like if we didn't approach empathy as an optional practice?  How might a commitment to empathy influence schools and classrooms?

Today is our last Collaboration Coach Meeting of the school year, and we're celebrating all they've accomplished at their sites. Collaboration Coaching is modeled after the research-based Microsoft Peer Coaching Program , developed by the Peer-Ed Team . The training focuses on coaching and collaboration skills; best practices in lesson design and instruction; and, technology integration and engaging practices. Collaboration Coaching fosters an environment where it is safe to take risks to try innovative practices, to engage students in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. This shift is occurring more rapidly because teachers have ongoing professional development by having someone they trust, a Collaboration Coach, who is just down the hall or right next door. Coaching Chronicles There are six fantastic "Coaching Chronicles" inside this Prezi created by the coaches at each of the schools sharing their "story" of 21st cent...

It's an honor to announce four of our AJUSD members and several of those I nominated have been shortlisted as finalists for several Edublog Awards . Voting is open until 11:59 pm (USA Eastern Standard Time) on Sunday, December 9th. You can vote once a day, for as many categories as you want. Only one vote will count per day, per IP address. For those at AJUSD, that means only one vote counts from the district network, so please vote from home. Here's how to vote: 1) Go to the Edublog Awards Voting Page . 2) Use the drop down menu to select your category and choice. Then press vote . Below are the voting categories and blogs of our AJUSD people and friends. Take some time to explore their blogs and what they contribute to education. Best Class Blog : Fraher's Class and Friends (AJUSD teacher) ; Mrs. Yollis' Class Blog ; 4km and 4kj ; Mr. Salsich's Class Blog ; and Mr. Avery's Classroom Blog .   Best Student Blog : Thinking About (AJUSD s...

In my last post , I shared some of the big takeaways I had from #ISTE12. This is a continuation of that post, with the focus on these questions: What had the most impact on me at ISTE , and what memories will be most prominent from that week?  What new goals would I set as a result of #ISTE12? JoAnn Jacobs , me, Joan Young , & Julie Hembree 6. While ISTE was filled with amazing training, there was something unique about ISTE that I've never experienced from any other conference, and that's the continued learning once the official sessions were over. The continued learning occured during conversations with others. Hanging out at the Bloggers' Cafe was one of my favorites because of the amazing conversations with others. My goal: I intend on hanging out virtually with some of my blogging buddies. 7 . I appreciated the resources from the Common Core and PBL poster session by Diane Midness, iEARN-USA with Losira Okelo and BIE's David Ross .  iE...

What had the most impact on me this past week, and what memories will be most prominent from this week? What new goals will I set as a result of this week? Here they are, not in any particular order. Linda Yollis & Kathleen Morris 1. Educational Blogging: Flattening Classroom Walls by Linda Yollis and Kathleen Morris I am always inspired and in awe of these two women. They have made such an impact on me, so to see them present together live was absolutely incredible, especially since this week was the first time they had met face to face! Their stellar session was filled with powerful tips, incredible resources , while providing powerful examples of what can evolve out of blogging. To highlight a few tips: Linda , Kath , Sue Wyatt , Sue Waters , me , Ronnie , Julie , Anne , John Start small. Blogging is a journey. Use your content objectives to focus your posts. This way blogging doesn't become an add-on to try to fit in, but rather part of your literacy bloc...

I've been involved in several discussions about leading change , which started with  vision and urgency. Everyone needed to be on the same page about the vision (the what), have a sense of urgency (the why), and know how we'd measure progress towards our goal. Having the vision relevant, tangible with benchmarks, and feedback reminded me of successful classroom practices. In the classroom, I made sure my students knew what we were learning, how it was relevant to them, how we'd measure progress towards our goal (the what, why, and how), and involved them in the process. I realized leading change had some of the same foundations, such as starting with the vision. Vision In order to be purposeful about change, the vision for what is wanted must be clear by everyone. If I asked, "What does it mean to be a 21st century, student-centered school district?" the answer must be clear in the minds of everyone. It must be clear to the administration , the teachers, ...

Conflict can either break people and teams apart, or it can bring productivity and innovative solutions to move forward. The types of conflict that break people and teams apart are the interpersonal conflicts that occur. However, cognitive conflict is the disagreement about approaches and ideas. If the team recognizes and understands the types of conflict, it can be a resource to nurture productivity. Building teams and building trust The most constructive ways to deal with conflict is to use great communication skills, and connect with others to build trust and stronger relationships . By paraphrasing and asking questions, the issues stay separated from the person. Communication skills Shelee King George & me 2010 I once heard Shelee King George explain communication skills in an analogy of a phone call and call waiting: When we are listeners, we have three inhibitors that get in the way, so we need to put them on call waiting : 1) Autobiographical Lis...

Building capacity in the school district means improving and strengthening the learning in our students, employees, teachers, administrators, school board, and community. Coaching is a great way to build capacity, and leaders naturally build capacity. Finding leaders to assume leadership roles is an important part of the process. Please be aware that I don't believe a title makes someone a leader, it's just who they are. Leadership skills sets I've recently been involved in several conversations about building capacity. One of the conversations was about skills sets to look for when identifying leaders, specifically coaches.  I believe the following qualities are found in good coaches and leaders: People person : gels well with others and builds relationships Character: has integrity and is trustworthy Attitude: is positive even in negative circumstances Skills and productivity : able to get things done 21st century thinker : adapts, problem solves, is creativ...

This post is my reflection (and brainstorm) for creating a 21st century learning district, specifically through developing our Collaboration Coaches . I’m asking for your feedback. The focus for Year 2 Collaboration Coaches This is the second year we’ve had Collaboration Coach training in the district. The first year training module is closely adapted from Microsoft Peer Coach Training developed by the Peer Ed Team. Since there isn’t a continuation training module, I’ve created my own based on surveys, reflections, and four areas of focus: Communication, collaboration, and coaching skills  21st century learning, pedagogy, and lesson design Best practices with technology integration and resources Staff development The professional development plan for Year 2 Collaboration Coaches August : Setting goals and overview of year -- for the purpose of kicking off the year September : Web 2.0/Coaching Smackdown   -- focusing on best practices; resources; and ideas for...

My passion and goal is to see 21st century learning (innovating, creating, collaborating, communicating, and critical thinking) in our classrooms. How can I spread that passion so the goal of 21st century learner-centered classrooms becomes a reality? As the Technology Integration Specialist, part of my job is coaching teachers, administrators and students in technology integration for 21st century learning. As a coach, there are several different roles, avenues, and opportunities I have to further this goal: Roles Sharing or Consulting (Expert) Collaborating (Peer to Peer) Coaching (Facilitator) Visual What and Why Shares information, resources, content, and advice Works together to create; collaborates Supports, encourages, critiques, and guides to new insight or deeper reflection How Provides supplies and resources; offers ideas and materials; gives tips and solutions Brainstorms together; plans together; works together; gives and takes Provides "Wow...

The nominations process has closed, and we are excited to see a few of our AJUSD blogs represented on the Edublogs Awards shortlist. Please support our AJUSD blogging community. You can vote once a day, and if you are in our AJUSD district, please vote from your home computer (our school computers will have the same IP address, so it will only get one count a day). The voting will end on December 14th. Here's who you can support in our AJUSD blogging community: Em's Blog for best student blog Ethan's Blog for best student blog Jon Castelhano's "This and That" for best administrator blog Melissa Martinez (Mrs. Martinez's 4th Grade) for best class blog Tracy Watanabe for best individual blog Here's how you vote: To vote, click on this link , then use the drop down menu to choose the category, then select who you are voting for. You'll need to go back through the process to vote for the next category. Final remarks All of our...

I love awards because it's a chance to recognize and share those who rock my world. Thank you Edublogs for providing this opportunity to acknowledge amazing educators around the globe, and for raising the awareness of the awesome impact social media and web 2.0 can have on our learning and our learners. Here are my nominations for 2011-2012: Best individual blog: Integrating Technology in the Primary Classroom Integrating Tech in the Primary Classroom Hands down, the most influential individual blog that I've learned the most from is Kathleen Morris' Integrating Technology in the Primary Classroom . Her content is innovative, filled with tangible and applicable learning for every level (even if you aren't a primary teacher). She makes it super easy for a newbie to feel right at home, while being encouraged to take the next step. I appreciate how Kathleen replies to all her comments, which lets us know how much she cares and is passionate about helping ...