Do No Harm

Do No Harm

Do No Harm! I think that is my big takeaway from my summer learning thus far. I have been focusing on how best to support teachers after the great influx of devices and tools over the last 2 years. Schools went from computer labs, carts, and shared devices, particularly at the elementary level to 1:1 in a matter of months. All the new tools: web conferencing, screen casting, LMS, digital curriculum, etc. The great shift happened, now what? I participated…

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Watch your language

Watch your language

I am usually a pretty mellow person, tend to look for the positive in everyone, and assume the best of intentions in people. But I had an interaction on the vendor floor at ISTE that got my hackles up and I just lost it. The vendor was explaining their new STEM curriculum where everything is laid out step by step, the teacher could just “point and click” it was “foolproof.” WHAT!?! Are you saying teachers are fools! Teachers are learning…

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And We’re Live!

And We’re Live!

Live face-to-face conferences are back!!!!! I can’t express enough how excited I was to attend FETC and ISTE this year. Sure I have been attending virtual conferences for the last two years but NOTHING beats the hallway conversations, the chats waiting in line, and just the shared energy of being in a space filled with people passionate about learning. Those conferences brought me back to my roots of why I am in education. I learned, was affirmed, and inspired. I…

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Learning Coach

Learning Coach

For the last couple of years, I have primarily been dealing with devices; enrolling, managing, setting up apps and extensions and trying to keep track of ever-shifting inventory. I am afraid my people skills may have gotten a little rusty. I wanted to reconnect with my past self and get my head back in the game of supporting teachers and their students. So I enrolled in the Apple Learning Coach program. I think it is one of the best-run professional…

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…Two Years Later

…Two Years Later

I had plans. We all had plans. I was going to chronicle what it was like to go remote, the good, the bad, and the ugly. In reality, I barely came up for air, let alone process what was happening and write about it. We handed out thousands of devices, document cameras, hot spots. We supported parents, grandparents, neighbors and students how to do all things tech. How to connect to the internet, set permissions, use new tools; all at…

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Three Weeks In…

Three Weeks In…

Week 3 of the school closure draws to a close.  My daughter and I have taken a part the “office” and have now turned it into the sewing room to make masks.  Sunday night it will go back to being an office.  I wonder how many weeks maybe months this shift in duties will continue. Wishing you all the best, be well.

It’s Been Awhile

It’s Been Awhile

It’s been awhile… We are in the 3rd week since the school shut down and I have never worked so hard in my life. In fact I am exhausted.  I am sure you are feeling the same. Trying to support so many people make a sudden transition from traditional classroom experience to remote learning coach has been a major undertaking.  There was a major upgrade to tech skills, plus an entire restructuring to pedagogical approach in an instant. Some heavy…

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