Change is Good (30 Day Blogging Challenge #17)

Today's prompt:

One thing that is different from a year ago that I am grateful for...

Last year at this time, I learned that my long-term subbing job at a local middle school was turning into a one-year position.  While I'd been grateful for the opportunity to work in that school for any length of time (it was a welcoming place with great people), I was delighted to learn that I'd been asked to stay for the entire year.  Although that year went by much too quickly, I am grateful for the unexpected creative outlets that have since come my way, allowing me to teach and learn from different audiences this year.

In October, after some encouragement from +Lucie deLaBruere , I taught a "Spooky Circuit Box" workshop at our local Tech Jam at the Generator.  This January I will be partnering with her to teach a bookbinding/ circuitry workshop geared toward getting more girls excited about technology!  I am thrilled to be doing this, because it will allow me to purposefully merge my passions and interests while working alongside someone I deeply respect and admire.

Another inspiring change that has come my way this year was an invitation to create animated seasonal station IDs for RETN, our local television network. While my work is still in draft form, the process of making revisions and receiving feedback from experts has been a fun and rewarding (with a steep learning curve).  I am also excited to be teaching a class there in either January or February.  Partnering with RETN is helping me build new skills while providing a creative focus.  I am grateful to +Doug Dunbebin  for providing me with a unique opportunity to share my dorky love of Do Ink apps with adults!

This is a sneak peak at one of the video shorts that I've been working on.

The Power of Connectivism (30 Day Blogging Challenge #16)

Today's prompt:

What is the most powerful aspect of being a connected educator? What are you grateful for?

While reading the book, The Connected Educator:  Learning and Leading in the Digital Age, I was introduced to the term connectivism (a learning theory first introduced by George Siemens in 2004).  I was struck by the idea that technology is not only changing the ways in which we learn, but the ways that we define knowledge and the learning process itself.

The most powerful aspect of being a connected educator is that I have the world at my fingertips and on my own schedule!  I can learn about anything I want to learn about at any time, and I can actively see what other teachers around the world are doing to make learning more relevant and engaging for their students.  Since I am not currently working under a contract, I am grateful for the ability to stay connected with other educators and keep a pulse on changing trends in public education. 

I love the way that being a connected educator allows me to share my thoughts and ideas, as well as exploring the ideas and creations of others.  I am grateful that crowd sourcing invites diverse people to create knowledge together in ways that were previously not possible.

Tools Glorious Tools (30 Day Blogging Challenge #15)

Today's prompt:

What tech tools are you most grateful for? Why? How have they changed what you do?

In a previous post, I addressed this question in terms of five favored tools that I've frequently used with students.  While I got very specific in that post, I sort of overlooked the obvious.

As a result, I'd like to re-frame the question here to identify tools that are not only useful in a classroom setting, but those that have become so integrated with my life that I have nearly taken them for granted.

I am especially grateful for Google tools, such as Drive, Docs, Gmail, Blogger, Calendar, Sites, and Google+.  Both personally and professionally, these tools have drastically improved my efficiency and ability to communicate, create, collaborate, and curate.

I'd also like to give a huge shout out to Diigo, my favorite social bookmarking tool.  It has become an extension of my memory, allowing me to save, tag, and organize interesting links as I encounter them.  I love the way that my favorite tweets* (the ones that I mark with a star) magically appear in my bookmarks! What a great way to collect, share, and quickly access words of wisdom and other juicy gems.        

Thanks also go to my favorite iPad creation apps, which have inspired me to explore, play, and express myself in new ways.

My favorites currently include:

Pic Collage
Do Ink Green Screen app
Do Ink Drawing & Animation app
iMovie
Garage Band

*I'm saving my thoughts on the beauty of Twitter for an upcoming post.

5 Lessons I'm Glad I Learned (30 Day Blogging Challenge #14)

Today's prompt:

List five things you are grateful to have learned in your teaching career.

1.  Students remember more about the stories we share and the way we've made them feel than they do about the grades they've received, the lessons we've planned, or how hard we worked.  

2.  Practicing self-compassion for your own shortcomings and mistakes can make you a more compassionate human being and a better teacher.

3.  Taking care of yourself is a non-negotiable if you want to care for students and be effective in the classroom.

4.  Achieving synergy with a collaborative partner is rare, but magical.

5.  Inspiration is only a click or a tweet away.

Time Out (30 Day Blogging Challenge #13)

Today's prompt:

What do you do to take time out for yourself?

One of the themes that I repeatedly see in blogs penned by teachers is a desire to strike more of a balance between one's personal and professional lives.   By the end of my first five years of teaching my fire was, in the words of my collaborative partner at that time, "burning too hot."  Doing what I'd perceived to be quality work meant so much that I ended up neglecting my inner teacher, squashing my creative spirit, and feeling indescribably inadequate.  Add a father in failing health, a daughter growing up way too fast, and abandoned hobbies, and I was on a collision course with burnout.  

For years, I had struggled to find and maintain a balance that felt good to my soul.  At one point, I remember asking a mentor how long into my career it would be before I finally had it all figured out, and could balance things.  When she looked me in the eye and said, "It never gets easier,"  I knew I was doomed.  The trouble was that I didn't know at that time that what I was feeling wasn't uncommon.  I didn't know that my exhaustion was normal, and that there were real strategies and systems of support that could help energize and refresh me, changing the way that I feel and think about my calling.  For the past three years, Northeast Courage and Renewal has been an outlet for me, a tribe doing the best they can to practice gratitude, self-acceptance, and an appreciation for the here and now.

   by  Swiv 

Although I frequently lapse into old habits when I am working full time, I am far more likely to remember self-compassion when I am feeling overwhelmed by a never ending to-do list.  I am better at prioritizing.  I am more forgiving of myself when I recognize that I have given all I can.  I allow myself the pleasure of long walks with my dog.  I take bubble baths every evening.  I set aside long, guilt-free stretches for experimentation and play.  I take naps whenever I can, rather than pushing...through...exhaustion.

Now, when I feel that I'm trudging down the once familiar path of overwork and resentment, I am far more likely to remind myself to take a deep, cleansing breath, and say, "You are not perfect, but you've done enough for today."  

Gratitude Photo Collage (30 Day Blogging Challenge #12)

Today's prompt:

Share a photo - or photos - of things / people you are grateful for.

I loved assembling this collage of some of the people and things that I am grateful for.  

A List of Life Lessons (30 Day Blogging Challenge #11)

Today's prompt:

What is the most important ‘lesson’ you want to teach your students?

Happy Veterans Day!

This was a difficult prompt for me, because there are so many things that I want to teach my students and for them to learn, in part, from me.  Thinking that it might be easier to narrow down my list, I changed the prompt to, "What is the most important 'lesson' you want to teach your child?"  I quickly discovered that narrowing my focus to one person did not make the question easier to answer.  If anything, I was reminded of how fragile and imperfect we all are as human beings.  This led me to conclude that I'd ideally like to help teach my daughter and students how to become confident, well-adjusted, happy human beings.

   by  bartmaguire 

Since this is my blog, and because I cannot decide upon solely one important lesson, I've decided to create a list of ten important ideas that continue to enlighten me about myself and others, in the hopes that I might model and share them with all those whom I teach.

1.  You are enough, so be yourself.

2.  Don't abandon your hopes and dreams.

3.  It's okay to make mistakes.  

4.  Be present in each moment.

5.  Embrace gratitude.

6.  Don't take everything you hear or read at face value.

7.  Do one thing that scares you each day.

8.  Choose to be kind.

9.  Find inspiration in nature.

10.  Learn to love the questions themselves.

Humorous "Hammer Grammar" (30 Day Blogging Challenge #10)

Today's prompt:

Being grateful for humor - share a story about a time in your career where humor played a part.

Several years ago, one of my collaborative partners at Colchester Middle School and I dressed up like wanna-be rappers, equipped with backwards baseball caps and awkward bling (think faux chains with cardboard dollar signs).  One of us had the word "Hammer" on our hat and the other had the word "Grammar." In order to set the tone for a writing lesson focused upon grammar, we performed a ridiculous homage to M.C. Hammer's epic anthem, "U Can't Touch This."

Our students didn't see it coming, but they sure appreciated this outrageous surprise.  Many were laughing, others were dancing, and one (cough...gasp) recorded us with his device.  I honestly can't remember much about the content we introduced that day (other than a healthy appreciation for 80's music), but our willingness to poke fun at ourselves sure was a hit with our students.

(In what may not be such a laughing matter, a video of this silliness may exist somewhere in cyberspace.)

"Gratitude improves relationships." (30 Day Blogging Challenge #9)

Today's prompt:

What is one way you could develop an Attitude of Gratitude in your classroom or school? 

In the article, 11 Tips for Instilling True Gratitude in Your Kids, readers are reminded that "Gratitude improves relationships."  Having experienced this first-hand, I'd like to share small ways that one school is doing just that.

In the middle school where I most recently worked under a one-year contract, faculty and staff were encouraged to post weekly updates to a shared Google Doc, identifying ways that students, faculty, and staff had exemplified caring, assertion, respect, empathy, and self-control  (CARES) at school and during extra-curricular activities. The weekly shout-outs were then projected onto a television screen in the hallway outside of the main office, sent home in a weekly parent newsletter, and shared via Google+.  Students in the building really appreciated this gesture and would be delighted to see their names flash across the screen.  

The administrators at this school also encouraged teachers to send home "CARES" postcards, addressed to individual students, letting them know that something they had done had been recognized and was appreciated.  Designed by a student, these blank postcards were located in the office, making it easy to send home notes of gratitude.

Another thing that was done that significantly contributed to the positive climate in the building was that all faculty meetings started with teachers and administrators taking time out to recognize and show appreciation to one another.  Anyone could stand up and offer a shout-out, and the words of affirmation were specific and heart-felt.  

Although my time at Browns River Middle School was short, I remain grateful for the time I was part of their close-knit team.

Inspiring New Learning (30 Day Blogging Challenge #7)

Today's prompt:

What new learning has inspired you in your career?

"It's not the vision at all...it's the groping."                                              (Unexpected wisdom from a Northern Exposure episode)

While working to complete the requirements for an endorsement as a Technology Integration Specialist, I've found a great deal of inspiration through the tinkering that I've been able to do as I follow passions ignited by the Maker Movement.  Although I am currently between teaching jobs, I am grateful for the opportunity to be pursuing a self-designed, personalized learning plan that allows me to focus on a variety of things that captivate my interest.  While I have a clear vision for the credentials I am working toward, I am pleasantly groping along a meandering path, inspired by the detours that the Maker Movement has brought my way.

Since attending the Create Make and Learn summer institute this past summer, I have been slowly learning how to code my Lilypad Arduino and Arduino Uno. Although my progress has been incremental, and my devotion has admittedly waxed and waned, it's been the grappling, and the support of others who know more about electronics than I do, that have urged me to keep plugging along.  I've enjoyed participating in communities of learning, such as the one I experienced at Vermont Fest this past week.

While there, I attended an evening workshop called Practical Magic:  Arduinos and Practical Computing with Bryant Patten and a small group of educators.  Within that setting, I figured out ways to apply what I've been learning, whereas before I had been working in isolation, clueless about practical applications of my tooling around.  For example, I learned that I can use an Arduino board to test out a circuit, before soldering the real thing together in a project.  This would have been extremely useful to me a couple of weeks ago when I was attempting my first Make magazine project.

During this workshop, I also discovered that the code for one type of Arduino board can run on just about any Arduino compatible board.  In other words,  I finally figured out that the coding I've done on my LilyPad Arduino can run on my Arduino Uno. While my breakthroughs probably seem insignificant (and less than riveting to read about), I am curious to see just where all of this meandering leads.

What does it mean for me as an educator?  Having these experiences has solidified my commitment to supporting STEAM programs within schools.

Memorable Moment (30 Day Blogging Challenge #8)

Today's prompt: 

Write about a memorable moment in the classroom and how it reminded you about why you love what you do.

   by  dixie_law 

I am inspired by this prompt, my mind flooded with memories.  In the interest of brevity, however, I am focusing upon one that represents joy, acceptance, and a time when dancing and getting a little silly with my students led to one of my favorite teaching experiences.  

Several years ago, while teaching my first class of seventh graders about the fall of the Roman Empire, I choreographed a dance that came to be known as the "Poopy Emperor Dance."

Set to the They Might Be Giants rendition of, "Istanbul Not Constantinople," the routine involved a series of hand and body motions symbolizing challenges that led to the eventual fall of Rome.  One gesture, symbolizing Rome's string of weak, corrupt leaders, linked the "poopy" Emperor Commodus to a giant swirling toilet bowl (Toilet = Commode).  Other moves represented economic problems, mercenary armies, and Rome's expansive, unwieldy size. 

The routine was goofy, but my students loved the song and dance so much that they asked the DJ at one of their school dances to play it so they could go out on the floor and perform it in front of their friends on other teams. 

My students made learning and teaching fun!  I will never forgot that crew.

An Inspiring Quote (30 Day Blogging Challenge #6)

Today's prompt:

Share a quote or verse that has inspired you and tell us why.

The following Teddy Roosevelt quote was brought to my attention by Brené Brown, an inspiring TED Talk presenter and vulnerability researcher who's written several books, such as The Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly that have shaped the way that I view the world.

   by  Sarah_G 


This quote resonates for me as a recovering perfectionist, because it helps me transform my fear of human failings into the encouragement to keep trying my best.  I also like it, because it perfectly illustrates how important it is to have a growth mindset.

Grateful for My Strengths (30 Day Blogging Challenge #5)

Today's prompt:

What are your strengths? Which are you most grateful for?

In a previous post, I was asked to identify three strengths that I have.  At that time, I wrote that I am creative, persistent, and a lifelong learner.

   by  Anne Davis 773 

If I had to select the one strength that I was most grateful for as an educator, I would have to choose being a lifelong learner, because being open to learning new things about the world and myself has been the trait that has brought me the most joy and insight.  

The curiosity and drive that have led me to explore new places and experiences have sustained me when I've been filled with self-doubt.  Learning new things has opened up opportunities and captivated me with wonder, fueling my imagination and giving me hope that I have not yet reached my peak. 

Gifts of Affirmation & Encouragement (30 Day Blogging Challenge #4)

Today's prompt:

What was the nicest gift that you received from a student/ parent/ colleague?

   by  stevendepolo 

I must confess that when I first started pondering this prompt, visions of tangible objects, gifted to me over the years, scrolled through my imagination.

I saw a can of corn, a disco ball, a shoe calendar... a book about mullets, plates of misshapen cookies, a handmade necklace with a Colosseum pendant... a duck-tape pen, large wedge of Parmesan cheese, leopard-printed-heart-shaped charm, giant felted elf slippers, and countless drawings, cards, notes, and letters.  While remembering these trinkets, and the beautiful people who gave them to me, I was awash with sentimentality as my heart grew three sizes.

Although I admittedly enjoyed my indulgent journey down memory lane, the greatest gifts that I've received from students or a colleagues have not taken physical form.  They were words of affirmation and encouragement.  

For example, when a student graduating from high school told me, "You are my favorite teacher that I've ever had," it made me feel like every sacrifice I'd ever made to give students the best of myself had been worth it.


On another occasion, when a colleague invited me to do something that I might not have otherwise considered, telling me, "I know you can do it," I received the gift of having someone believe in me.

A common thread throughout the blogs that I've been reading over the past few days has been the importance of feeling connected through the quality of our relationships.  In reflecting upon the greatest gifts that I have received from students and colleagues, I am humbled by the reminder of how powerful my own words can be, and I pray that they will serve as gifts to others. 

Listening to my Inner Teacher (30 Day Blogging Challenge #3)

Today's prompt:

What are you most proud of to date in your teaching career?

   by  TRF_Mr_Hyde 

Back in September, while taking part in my first blogging challenge, I answered a question similar to this in another post.  I was asked to reflect upon an accomplishment that I held dear that might have been unknown to others. In the process, I recognized that I viewed my greatest professional achievement to be finding the courage to set myself on a new course for learning and personal discovery, after reluctantly concluding that I was no longer able to burn my candle at both ends.  Surprisingly, that uncharted course involved my taking a self-imposed sabbatical, without a plan B, much to the surprise of those with whom I worked.  Three years ago, I made the decision to resign at the end of my contract.

Since then, I have been in the midst of a transition. While I quickly concluded that I still feel called to teach, I am proud of myself for determining that I am able to approach it differently than I once did.

Since making that difficult decision, I've taken courses, tinkered, done some subbing, and taught a computer skills course for a year.  While I will admit that I've had intense pangs of regret that I didn't just ask for a year off, rather than deciding to make a clean break, I know that I needed to impose a period of dormancy upon myself in order to ensure that I was on the right path.  While it may sound weak or perplexing to those who may easily succeed at finding a balance that feeds them, I absolutely needed to remove myself from the responsibilities of being a full-time classroom teacher in order to know for sure that I actually need to teach. Teaching nourishes my soul, as long as I don't let it overshadow the other parts of my identity, such as being a wife, mother, and artist.  

Therein lies the paradox that Parker Palmer so eloquently describes in his book, The Courage to Teach. One of the best things that I've done for myself and my career has been participating in Northeast Courage and Renewal.  It helped me realize that I was not alone in my quest to find balance between my personal and professional lives.  It helped me understand that the reason I often felt so overwhelmed and exhausted was because I cared so much, and that my feelings of inadequacy had come from a place of not attending to my "inner teacher."  I'm not trying to suggest that I never fall back into the old habits of putting too many logs on my fire (please consider reading Judy Sorem Brown's beautiful poem on the importance of breathing space), but I am learning to practice self-compassion.  This will impact everything else about who I am as a teacher for the rest of my life.

I am proud of the ways that I've changed during this transition, and the ways that I've opened myself up to new opportunities and patterns of thinking.

Grateful for the Daily Grind (30 Day Blogging Challenge #2)

Today's prompt:

What is one small delight in the day that you always look forward to?

One thing that has remained constant throughout my career, whether I've been working full time or doing freelance work, is my morning cup of coffee. I can't remember when it first started, but, for as long as I can remember, my husband has been getting up before me to prepare it.  For years, this gesture has set the tone for my days, filling me with gratitude in the hours before even seeing my first students.  

It begins with an evening ritual. 

Nearly every night, just before he lets the dog out one last time, he pads down to the kitchen in his pajamas to grind coffee, fill a pot with water, and set the automatic timer.  

While he's working, I hear him rhythmically pounding the grinder on the counter (it almost always gets stuck).  Occasionally, he sings or entertains himself with a broad range of nonsensical mumbling-- comforting sounds that help lull me to sleep.

Because I tend to be on the clumsy side in the morning, with a propensity for dribbling on my clothes if allowed to carelessly overfill my own cup, he usually invites me to sit down with my iPad before personally handing me my mug.  

My weekday mug is chipped, but I love it. It was painted by my daughter eleven years ago, when she was only four.

On weekends, the ritual changes.  My weekend mug is broad, green, and filled with homemade cappuccino.  Saturday mornings are flavored with a hint of maple syrup and sprinkled with freshly grated chocolate flakes.  

While I suspect that I am not alone in embracing my first cup of coffee each morning, I feel grateful that my husband takes the time and effort to nurture me with this daily gift. 

This is true whether I am working full-time or merely subbing, as is currently the case.  I am grateful that this writing prompt came on a Saturday and that I was reminded to tell my husband how much I appreciate him.

The Joy of Teaching (30 Day Blogging Challenge #1)

Today's prompt:

What are the best aspects of being a teacher?

For the month of November, I'm participating in the Teach Thought, 30 Day Blogging Challenge, focused upon cultivating an attitude of gratitude.  The last time that I participated in a blogging challenge, I learned that I enjoy having an excuse to be intentional about blogging each day and even found that I was more productive as a result.  Furthermore, by reading other people's posts, I discovered that I had more in common with others than I might have originally suspected.  I am eager to participate in this challenge and welcome the opportunity for authentic human connection.

Although I am not working under a contract this year, I still consider myself a teacher.  The acts of teaching and learning are interwoven into my identity.  I love learning and am fulfilled by the process of helping others to do the same.

   by  R Joanne 

Here are some things that I love most about teaching:

1.  Getting to know people's interests, passions, challenges, talents, and pet peeves...and the invitation to share mine
2.  Laughing and working with others (and the occasional "group groan")
3.  Watching sparks ignite in people when they make a discovery or have an "aha" moment
4.  Witnessing and remembering kindnesses shared and obstacles overcome
5.  Watching people change and grow, almost literally before my eyes
6.  Talking shop with other teachers who get it
7.  Accepting hugs from former students and hearing stories about their lives
8.  Knowing that every day is going to be different
9.  Feeling that I'm making a difference
10. Learning new things...about others, about what it means to be human, and about myself

How I've Changed as an Educator (30 Day Blogging Challenge: Day 29)

How have you changed as an educator since you first started?

   by  Tassava 

The complexity of this question is staggering, but I will attempt to answer the question as candidly and succinctly as possible.

The biggest way that I've changed as an educator is in the way that I've chosen to embrace my own imperfections in order to allow myself to evolve and grow.

Like most educators, I am a hard worker. Doing quality work and being regarded as competent matters to me.   Unfortunately, I have a track record of doing what Brene Brown refers to as "hustling for worthiness."  In other words, because I occasionally put too much stock in what others may think about me, I have made the mistake of equating my productivity with self-worth.  Because I recognize that this is not a healthy way to live, I have been making a concerted effort to live a more authentic and wholehearted life.  Additionally, having the courage to step away from the hamster wheel, and to be open to other opportunities that present themselves, has given me more room for optimism, hope, and joy.  This has allowed me to do a better job of balancing my personal and professional responsibilities, resulting in my becoming a more creative and resilient person.  I forgive myself easier, and find it easier to grapple with failure, which has resulted in my being a more compassionate and encouraging educator.  

Good Morning! (30 Day Blogging Challenge: Day 11)

   by  Squonk11 


Today's prompt asks that I contemplate my favorite time of the school day, which for me is mornings.  I prefer mornings, because the day remains full of promise and the majority of students are happpy to see their friends (and hopefully their teachers).

While some people admittedly take a while to get into the groove (I count myself among those who require coffee to become fully human), I prefer mornings to the time just before and after lunch, because the students are fresher and have not yet had too many demands placed on their attentions.  Usually, they haven't yet been asked to sit too long in one place, and many of them are genuinely interested in seeing for themselves what's going on in the first class of the day, rather than hearing about an upcoming activity from their friends who may have already attended an earlier class. The temperature of many classrooms is often cooler in the mornings, too, before the sun has had a chance to heat everything up.

On the flip side, mornings can be a bit chaotic, especially if one has extra duties that lead right up to the bell or needs to wait in a long line to make last-minute copies, while an antiquated copy machine squeaks and repeatedly jams.  There are often technology quirks impacting networks in the mornings, while panicked teachers are scrambling to prepare for student arrivals.  Mornings can also a bit chaotic as students grab breakfast and substitute teachers try to figure out where to go and how to log in to the guest network.

In general, however, I still prefer mornings, and I am often most eager to try something new at the start of a new day.

5-4-3-2-1 (30 Day Blogging Challenge: Day 10)

Today's prompt feels a bit like something that I've seen on FaceBook, but I'll be the first to admit that I like it.

Share five random facts about yourself.

1.  I went to high school in Germany.

2.  I enjoy the art of binding books, and then giving them away as gifts.

3.  I detest artificial plants, especially in restaurants and funeral parlors.

4.  A student once caught me singing "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" at the top of my lungs, as I worked in my classroom after hours.

5.  I love bluebirds, even if they do eat my blueberries.

   by  ptgbirdlover 

Share four things from your bucket list.

1.  I'd like to paddle board on Lake Champlain.

2.  I'd like to take a jewelry making class.

3.  I'd like to spend a week at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts learning something frivolous and fun.

4.  I'd like to take a cooking class in Italy.

Share three things that you hope for this year, as a "person" or an educator.

1.  I hope for happiness, health, and wholeness for myself and those that I love.

2.  I hope to become more adept at learning how to code.

3.  I hope to find the place where my greatest passions meet the world's greatest need (Buechner).

Share two things that have made you laugh or cry as an educator.

1.  Middle school humor often makes me laugh.

2.  Saying "goodbye" to students, colleagues, and schools makes me cry.

Share one thing you wish more people knew about you.

1.  I am an introvert.  I may seem outgoing, but I need some silence in my day to recharge.  I prefer to lead from the sidelines in a thoughtful way, with the benefit of having the time to make thoughtful decisions.  I do my best work in small groups.  I am most confident when I feel prepared.