Off to SEE Summit 2015 in Calgary

A week in Calgary at SMART headquarters with 70 other educators from around the world.  This is an opportunity of a lifetime.  The application included a 2 minute video about how I prepare my students for a better world and answering questions on an application.  I was thrilled beyond belief to be selected to join this group.  Spending a week SMART users (educators) from around the world - sounds like heaven to me!

Departure: 18 July at 11:10 pm.  Delayed to 12:15 am

Arrived in San Francisco to hear the announcement directing us to customer service at gate 80 because the flight to Calgary had been CANCELLED.  Seriously?  They just cancel flights??   After waiting for an agent almost 45 minutes, I have a new route:  SFO (3 hour layover) to Seattle on United then to Calgary on Air Canada.  Arrival at 8:45 pm with a layover of 5 hours in SEA.  This was much better than the automated reroute by United:  SFO (6 hour layover) to Denver (2 hour layover) to Calgary arriving at 10:45 pm.

It's 6:13 pm in SFO and the Air Canada flight hasn't left Calgary yet.  Aircraft maintenance.  Keep getting these text message updates. 

   Your AC8304 6:15 pm flight delayed now departs 6:50 pm and arrives 9:25 pm.

    . . . 7:55 pm . . . 10: 20 pm

    . . . 8:35 pm . . . 11:00 pm

    . . . 8:20 pm . . . 10:45 pm

I'll get there somehow . . . sometime . . . and it's going to be an amazing week.  I believe things happen for a reason.  As frustrating as this is right now, I don't see a reason . . . but maybe it will reveal itself later.

Need to get some rest.  Have been up since 7 am July 18 with 2 catnaps of 2 hours each.  Not easy taking a nap in public.

Teachers and Social Media

I spend my summers learning new things.  I take online classes, watch a few webinars, and READ.  I just completed my recertification as a SMART Certified Education Trainer.  Little things like this become big when I don't have to do it once the school year starts.

One day as I was checking out my Facebook notifications, I realized so many of my friends were posting via Instagram.  I have an Instagram account.  Have had one for a couple of years.  I started it because I saw my 13- and 15-year old nephews posting pics and I wanted to see what they were doing.  They told me I needed an account to see their pics.  So with their guidance, I created an account.  Nothing much happened after that.

Now that I've read the faqs about Instagram, understand how it works, and have used it, I LOVE Instagram.  It's more personal.  It's a quick post that includes a photo.  I take pics of everything. Every rainbow I see.  Flowers.  People.  My dog.  Food.

 


Anything and everything.  I love it because it's not just sharing someone else's video or cartoon or another personality test.  I still like FB but Instagram serves a different purpose.

Instagram in the classroom . . .  We have policies about social media . . .  Don't know how or if I can use it.  Wonder if other teachers use Instagram.

I have a project that my Algebra 2 students do.  Take pics of things that look like the functions we have studied in the world around them.  They name the function, draw axes and write an "equation." Seems this could be fun to continue even after the project is due.  Maybe that's the nerdy teacher in me hoping.

This is a great article (Tips for Social Media Newbies) I just read this morning.  Passing it on.

Presidential Awardees Announced 7/1/15

What a day this has been!  Checked my email before getting ready for another Amp workshop at school for a couple of teachers who aren't able to make the next two scheduled dates.

This is what I found in my inbox.

Holy cow!  It was as if I was dreaming.  I screamed for my husband -- telling him to hurry and come! I didn't know what else to do.  I couldn't move.  I couldn't get up and go tell him.  My eyes were glued to the computer screen.  Maybe if I took my eyes off of the email, it would disappear.  It would be a dream.

After the three hour workshop, I absent-mindedly checked my phone.  I do this throughout the day. Not looking for or expecting anything.  The morning excitement had worked its way through my system by noon.  There in my inbox was the press release from The White House.

 @whitehouseostp

www.whitehouse.gov/ostp

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2015

President Obama Honors Outstanding Mathematics and Science Teachers

WASHINGTON, DC -- President Obama today named 108 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This year’s awardees represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools. The educators will receive their awards at a Washington, DC, event later this summer.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Each year the award alternates between teachers teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades. The awardees named today teach 7th through 12th grade.

Winners of this Presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also are invited to Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony, as well educational and celebratory events, and visits with members of the Administration.

"These teachers are shaping America’s success through their passion for math and science,” President Obama said. “Their leadership and commitment empower our children to think critically and creatively about science, technology, engineering, and math. The work these teachers are doing in our classrooms today will help ensure that America stays on the cutting edgetomorrow.”

President Obama is strengthening education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields in order to fully harness the promise our Nation’s students. Investing in exemplary teachers like these awardees is vital to inspiring the next generation of explorers and innovators. That’s why President Obama launched the “Educate to Innovate” campaign, which has garnered more than $1 billion in financial and in-kind support for STEM programs. It is also why the President has called for preparing 100,000 excellent science and mathematics teachers over the next decade, leading to the creation of “100kin10,” a coalition of leading corporations, philanthropies, universities, service organizations, and others working to train and retain STEM teachers across the Nation. In addition, the President’s proposed STEM Master Teacher Corps aims to leverage the expertise of some of our nation’s best and brightest teachers in science and mathematics to elevate the teaching of these subjects nationwide. 

The recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are listed below, by state.

To learn more about these extraordinary teachers, please visit: >https://recognition.paemst.org<

Alabama

Marla Hines, Vestavia Hills High School

Sarah Lowman, Tanner High School

Alaska

Tasha Barnes, Wendler Middle School

Russell Walker, Romig Middle School

Arizona

Shannon Mann, Osborn Middle School

Marni Landry, Paradise Valley High School

Arkansas

Brian Leonard, Lake Hamilton High School

Amanda Jones, Poyen High School

California

Marianne Chowning-Dray, Eastside College Preparatory School

Scott Holloway, Westlake High School

Colorado

Kirstin Oseth, Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School

Mark Paricio, Smoky Hill High School

Connecticut

Jacqueline Corricelli, Conard High School

Joshua Steffenson, Glastonbury High School

Delaware

Kristin Carmen, Sussex Technical High School

Christopher Havrilla, Woodbridge High School

District of Columbia

Aris Pangilinan, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School

Florentia Spires, The Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science

Department of Defense Education Activity

Ryan Goodfellow, Vilseck American High School

Jennifer Wilson, Andersen Middle School

Florida

Robin O'Brien, Seminole Ridge Community High School

Carlos Montero, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School

Georgia

Valerie Jones, Ron Clark Academy

Pauline Henry, Luke Garrett Middle School

Hawaii

Amy Yonashiro, ‘Iolani School

Erin Flynn, Sacred Hearts Academy

Idaho

Ramey Uriarte, Heritage Middle School

Melyssa Ferro, Syringa Middle School

Illinois

Darshan Jain, Adlai E. Stevenson High School

Rebecca Vieyra, Cary-Grove High School

Indiana

Melissa Colonis, Lafayette Tecumseh Junior High School

Liviu Haiducu, Avon Advanced Learning Center

Iowa

Allysen Lovstuen, Decorah High School

Brian Reece, Central Academy

Kansas

Patrick Flynn, Olathe East High School

Jeremi Wonch, Indian Trail Middle School

Kentucky

Robyn Morris, East Oldham Middle School

Andrew Kemp, Louisville Male High School

Louisiana

Lerri Cockrell, David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy

Michael Simoneaux, Dutchtown High School

Maine

William O'Brien, Camden Hills Regional High School

Lisa McLellan, Windham High School

Maryland

Julie Harp, Easton High School

James Schafer, Montgomery Blair High School

Massachusetts

Suzanne Kubik, Middleboro High School

Susannah Cowden, Roxbury Preparatory Charter School

Michigan

Luke Wilcox, East Kentwood High School

Walter Erhardt, Battle Creek Area Mathematics and Science Center

Minnesota

Leif Carlson, Jefferson Community School

Peter Bohacek, Henry Sibley High School

Mississippi

Jenny Simmons, Saltillo High School

Betsy Sullivan, Madison Central High School

Missouri

Ruth Knop, Parkway West Senior High School

Kathleen Dwyer, Maplewood Richmond Heights High School

Montana

Daniel Bartsch, Billings Senior High School

David McDonald, Sidney High School

Nebraska

Shelby Aaberg, Scottsbluff High School

Angela Bergman, Westside High School

Nevada

Carrie Hair, Darrell C. Swope Middle School - Gifted and Talented Magnet

Jan Hrindo, Incline Middle School

New Hampshire

Stephanie Burke, West Running Brook Middle School

Jennifer Deenik, Souhegan High School

New Jersey

Kathleen Carter, North Hunterdon High School

Michael Lawrence, West Orange High School

New Mexico

Marco Martínez-Leandro, Highland High School

Karen Temple-Beamish, Albuquerque Academy

New York

Patrick Honner, Brooklyn Technical High School

Chance Nalley, Horace Mann School

North Carolina

Julie Riggins, East Forsyth High School

Jeffrey Milbourne, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

North Dakota

Cynthia Nelson, Grand Forks Central High School

Scott Johnson, Century High School

Ohio

Karma Vince, McCord Junior High School

Christopher Monsour, Columbian High School

Oklahoma

Mark Thomas, Stillwater High School

Sarah Vann, Owasso Eighth Grade Center

Oregon

Mona Schraer, Grant High School

Bradford Hill, Southridge High School

Pennsylvania

Susan Higley, Hughesville Junior/Senior High School

Derrick Wood, Conestoga High School

Puerto Rico

Eric Figueroa, University Gardens High School

Maria Vicenty, Central High School of Visual Arts

Rhode Island

Michelle Way DaSilva, Kickemuit Middle School

Erin Escher, Portsmouth Middle School

South Carolina

Brooke Lance, Lakeside Middle School

Joseph Parker, McCants Middle School

South Dakota

Lindsey Brewer, Huron High School

Janet Wagner, Bon Homme School

Tennessee

Micahel Brown, Montgomery Central High School

Pierre Jackson, Middle College High School

Texas

Jessica Caviness, Coppell High School

Michalle McCallister, Robert G. Cole Middle and High school

U.S. Territories

Nneka Howard-Sibilly, Charlotte Amalie High School

Shamika Williams-Henley, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School

Utah

Nathan Auck, Horizonte Instruction and Training Center

Andrew Neilson, Logan High School

Vermont

Susan Abrams, Montpelier High School

Stewart Williamson, Peoples Academy High School

Virginia

Melanie Pruett, Bailey Bridge Middle School

Anne Moore, Robious Middle School

Washington

Michael Conklin, University High School

Gretel von Bargen, Skyline High School

West Virginia

Pete Karpyk, Weir High School

Eric Kincaid, Morgantown High School

Wisconsin

Corey Andreasen, North High School

Scott Hertting, Neenah High School

Wyoming

Kim Parfitt, Cheyenne Central High School

Thomas Smith, Dean Morgan Junior High School

First on my to-do list:  let my family know.  I sent them a copy of the press release then texted a quick note.  Soon I was getting texts, emails, Facebook tags/posts to my timeline/messages and whatever else happens in FB, my Twitter notifications were arriving on my phone.  I quickly realized the power of social media.  It was unbelievable how friends, family, colleagues, students and former students were finding out.  This is 2015.  The evening news is old news by 6 pm.  They were hearing from the Star Advertiser Breaking News.  No sooner had the press release been sent and Hawaii News Now was calling the school.  They wanted a phone interview.  They needed a picture. Just as quickly as the word got out, the picture was taken.  I wasn't dressed for the occasion but no one seemed to notice.  As soon as they got the picture and a few words, the calm began to return to my life.  

In the meantime, social media was still doing what it does best - spreading the news.  My FB account was working overtime.  I got friend requests from students I taught 15 years ago.  They saw posts by mutual friends, sent a friend request and with a click of a button we were catching up.  Some were parents now and hoped I would teach their children some day.  One girl reminisced about the time she hid under my desk and jumped out and scared me.  Some wanted to meet for lunch when they got home at Christmas - "I pinky promised."

A few years ago I was so anti-FB.  I still am selective about what I share and post as I think everyone is. I love the (re)connections I have made.  My world feels bigger.  I am grateful for the people I am in touch with near and far.  I used to have pen pals as a child.  I would put a letter in the mailbox and wait for a reply in a week or two.  Now I read a post and respond instantly acknowledging an accomplishment (thank you, everyone!  This has been an amazing experience in itself.), praying for a bereaved friend, cheering on a milestone, responding to questions to see which Disney couple my husband and I are most like, resharing an inspiring message, posting a fun video (how to make stress balls with balloons and flour - a must-see!), or just laughing outloud to myself.  

The other day I googled Instagram.  Wanted to know what the big deal was.  A few hours later I had a better understanding, in fact, I loved the simplicity of the app.  I have an Instagram account now which makes sense because I am a crazy picture taker. I love to take pictures - lots of pictures, of anything and everything.

Twitter started tweeting, retweeting, favorite-ing . . . 

Social media . . . I get it now.  Powerful. Relationship-building. Connecting. Engaging. Global. Teaches. Educates.

Here we go . . .

I woke up this morning dreaming about a workspace I was working on.  I was trying to make it easier for others to navigate through . . .

This was the sign that I was to begin this blog TODAY.

Stepping back a few months . . . as a SEE (SMART Exemplary Educator), I was given an opportunity to apply for an all-expense paid training to the Seattle SMART office to learn more about its newest software called Amp.  To "qualify" I had to indicate that "I would soon be using Amp in my classroom" or indicate how long I had been using this first-of-its-kind innovative software.  I checked the former.  The training was scheduled for mid-February and I knew I could get it started in my classes by that time.

I was one of the lucky 14 to be selected for this exclusive opportunity.  I was honored, felt privileged but at the same time knew I had to get started with Amp.  We were called Amp Champs.  I wasn't feeling much like a "champ" so I spent hours online pouring over all the training material I could get my hands on before my February 19 departure.  I read pdfs and blogs.  I watched YouTube videos. We were required to bring a workspace to share.  Oh boy . . .  but since I had to plan my lessons for the two days I was away, I decided to create a workspace for my students to use.  It would be the same workspace I would share.

What is Amp?

It's a huge digital workspace that allows teachers and students to collaborate in real time on any mobile device (7" or larger) or computer.  Amp is cloud-based and platform-independent (Windows or Mac).

Sounds simple.  It is but the possibiliites for its use is infinite.  For every teacher who uses it, Amp could serve a different purpose.  Some of the ways I have used it:

• informally to discuss homework in my algebra and calculus classes every day.
• as a guided inquiry to teach a new concept.
• for my students to explore and discover, on their own, the transformations of the graphs of functions using their Casio Prizm graphing calculators.
• in groups to research and co-create content (the first workspace I created called Pi Day).

As I share this amazing software with more teachers, I continue to see more uses for Amp.  I will continue to pass on what I learn from other teachers.  I am Amp'd!