EdCamp Experience from a Newbie

The day was Saturday July 27, 2013. As I approached Timberview Middle School my nerves began to kick in. The voices in my head haunted me with things like: Your not a Tech Pro like the people here, Stay to yourself- don't make eye contact and most of all make sure you schedule a session with someone from your district. As we entered we were greeted and given instructions. I followed them successfully :) We entered the cafe with all the other educators and found our spot to sit. I began to look around the room and see friends from twitter, they are real not just a face on your twitter page. Although the voice did keep me from meeting many of them I did not listen when it came to my inspiration Rafranz Davis. It was great to connect with her in person! The session board was put up , I grabbed my session paper walked over and chose where I would like to go. To my surprise I had shut the voice up and I did not worry about where my fellow coworkers were going. I felt it important that we spread out , learn as much as we could and get together and collaborate. I felt a bit of independence as I traveled to my sessions without someone I knew at my side. Most importantly my husband,whom was there, that I always follow like his shadow. I would like to say that the sessions were awesome! The open forum is great! Participation from all was amazing! My first session Google Docs taught me many things that I do not know about the Google World. I am headed to the Google Summit!!!!!!!!!!!! Augmented Reality rocked my world!!!! Thank You Ninja Todd and Ninja Stacey for introducing some amazing apps and ideas for the new year! You guys rock!! My last session was Ipad Anything with IpadSammy and Matt Gomez. What can you say about these two? :) Thank you guys for the great apps!! I had a few I thought about sharing but the voice said no, maybe next time. Overall this was a great experience to meet others just like you, some will teach you and some you will teach. I cna not wait to see all of my twitter friends in October for EdCamp Dallas!

Achieving Growth in a Storm

The many uses of the word storm: storms of life, thunder storm, stormed out in anger. These are all very familiar but have we ever thought of our students going through a storm. When looking up the definition here is what I found :

1

a : a disturbance of the atmosphere marked by wind and usually by rain, snow, hail, sleet, or thunder and lightning

b : a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail

d : a serious disturbance of any element of nature

2

: a disturbed or agitated state <storms of emotion> : a sudden or violent commotion

3

: a heavy discharge of objects (as missiles)

4

: a tumultuous outburst <a storm of protests>

5

a : paroxysm 2

b : a sudden heavy influx or onset

6

: a violent assault on a defended position

Lets focus on 2A... Many times we see students reach this level of "storm". What do we do to lead them safely through? If there's a tornado we protect them with shelter , if something happens at home we lend a listening ear. Above all this what do we do to grow them as they travel through this storm. 

I feel as educators it is important to build a relationship with your students so that we will know what educational "storm" they may face. Just as a meteorologist uses tools for weather , we need to equip our students with tools for education. Check their gauge each day to see how they are, give them boots or an umbrella when the rain comes down. Think of ways they can record data to see their growth. Look for new innovated ways to approach their storm. As a meteorologist we have many available forms of technology to offer learners the best education that they deserve... 

As you walk through the storm leading, protecting and believing in your students they will begin to grow. Just like the beautiful flowers we see blossom after a storm, they to will blossom and be ready to face the next storm, so that the beauty of growing will never end. 

This year I will be amongst many young blooms, that I will equip with tools for continued growth the rest of their lives. 

The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.

Aesop

The other "F" word!

Fear the other F word that we do not discuss often, or that I do not discuss often. In my mind I have always believed that if you were fearful you were weak. To this day I try to cover up my Fear so that I am not viewed as weak. 

Definition of FEAR

1

a : an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger

b (1) : an instance of this emotion (2) : a state marked by this emotion

2

: anxious concern : solicitude

3

: profound reverence and awe especially toward God

4

: reason for alarm : danger

This past week I have felt much fear, not fear of someone , but fear of events in my life. Changes & decisions, we all know it as life. Changes- my oldest is heading to college. This is an exciting time in her life and I know she will be very successful. Fear - how will we pay, financial aid still in the process, first payment due soon.. It's almost both our paychecks together. 

Decisions- I have decided to step in to a new position this year. I am experiencing the Fear of change.  I loved my team and will miss them dearly. I am fearful of my ability to fulfill my new duties. 

Then someone posted a bible verse from Isaiah 46:4 I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescues you.

I know in my heart that this is true. If  it was not meant for my daughter to attend her college of choice she would not have been accepted. She prayed , we prayed many nights and days for her to get through that ACT... She did it!

I know in my heart that I will be great in my new position. There is a deep passion and love for special needs children that I have and all can see. 

It is ok to be fearful but do not let it consume you as I have. You are never alone! 

• Isaiah 41:13

  For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
  
  
  
  

Higher Education : Is it for everyone?

     For the last year we have worked diligently to get my oldest in the college of her choice. Yes she was allowed to choose her school but the choice for higher education was never an option. We have always let our girls know that they were expected to attend college. My husband tells them from day one of their education that college starts now. He reminds them daily that it is there education , they are in control. We are there to help guide and support them along the way. 

      In the past few weeks my mother has been discussing a nephew that wants to go to college. Hr graduated two years ago. His mother ,my sister, is not willing to help him get enrolled. She feels he should work to pay back a debt he owes her and then attend college. My mother has asked for my help because as she stated college is expected for our children , my sister did not attend college so it's not an expectation for her children. Of course I will help him, never discourage a child wanting to further their education. 

      Although we expect it  from our children and we are both college graduates working on our masters, I do not feel that every child is college bound. I do not feel that because I am a college grad I am better than anyone who is not. In one of my teacher of the year essays I wrote about this exact issue. In public education so many times we steer kids down the path to a college education. Is this wrong? Of course not, but not every child will attend college. I feel we need to also focus on the stunts that will some day be our mailman, trash man, mechanic and many other trades people that we need daily. I watched an episode of wife swap the other day one family was very education driven,the other family thought it was important but did not instill that in their children. This particular mom stated that if her child came in and said they wanted to be a trash man and oh by the way I am gay, she would be happy for them. This is not wrong you should always support your children. Is it wrong to have higher expectations for them? I'll leave you with that question to ponder. 

What is my Strength?

While out and about I decided to drive by my Elementary School. I looked at the old worn down building, one that is not even in use anymore, but the memories of where my education began were still vivid in my mind. I remember every teacher that I had while in elementary school, the things they taught me, how they believed in me. I many times reflect on my educational years and those who believed in me and would step up to help me on my educational journey. 

As an educator myself I strive to follow in the footsteps of my favorite educators adding my own touch along the way of course. Children need so much more than just an education this day in time. They need guidance, love , understanding , consistency and discipline. This is why we sometimes here that a teacher wears many hats. We are not educating these children for a year, we are educating them for life.

Kids are my passion. I grow and learn as they grow and learn. I teach them, they teach me! I ask my husband often what is my strength ? I know my passion. He answers with your strength is within your passion. You are always searching for ways to bring your babies where they need to be! You don't say I hope they learn to read this year, you say they will read this year! After many years of hearing this it is beginning to sink in. I am ready to take the strengths within my passion and guide my babies in directions they never knew they could go, giving them tools for life ! 

Blogging World Here I Come

I am not much of a writer but sometimes things enter my mind and I want to write them down to share. I AM a mother of two beautiful daughters and a wife to a technologically super geek husband. I am an educator whom is passionate about " my kids" and where their educational journey will take them. This upcoming year I will be moving from teaching first grade to the resource classroom. First Grade has been my home for six years and although I loved everyone of those babies , my heart was being pulled in other directions. I began my career in education with special needs children, was certified in Special Education, but decided to use my talents in a general education setting. After six years of including our special babies from life skills to just resource students in my classroom I decided to step into serving them full time. I am so very excited to be able to take these babies further than anyone could ever imagine. More exciting and heartwarming than anything will be the smiles and hugs along the way. Introducing these babies to the endless use of technology is going to be a priority of mine. There are so many things available to guide them to success or even a career one day :) I am so excited about the new followers I have found on twitter and the awesome ideas they share, what a great resource you will all be as I take off on my new journey.

Freedom

As I watched the firework show tonight many emotions ran through my head. I am thankful to God for the everlasting love & forgiveness he offers me. I am thankful,for the men & women that put their life's on the line for my freedom. I am thankful for my loving husband and two beautiful daughters. Even through all the happiness I felt a touch of sadness. As I enjoy my freedom daily little brother you are unable to experience the daily joys of freedom. I pray that you will realize how precious your freedom is. I pray that when you return home that you will enjoy your freedom and live your life in a way that always allows you to enjoy freedom. As I think of your life our life's, I think of the obstacles we must overcome to enjoy our " freedom". You deserve to be free of hardships, untrue friends and the drugs that take your "freedom". You deserve to be happy, feel loved, discover who you are and make a great life for yourself. Freedom is a word that can be used in many ways. Freedom that was fought for in wars to live freely or freedom from the struggles we have in our life's. I love you with all my heart. <3 Freedom- : the quality or state of being free Acts 13:38-39 38 "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses