I will now tweet “Our Page” instead of “My Page”

In the 1990’s while a classroom teacher I started bookmarking good educational sites.  When I became the teacher-librarian in my school I started a website of links for all subject areas. I was still finding the sites myself but I then found Kathy Shrock who shared amazing information. Once I got on Twitter in 2009 I started building a great PLN.  My first follows were: @coolcatteacher @web20classroom @shellterrell and @tomwhitby.  I started getting great links from them and as time went by my Twitter followers kept providing great sites that they were using.

For years I have tweeted pages from my website http://cybraryman.com/0_teachers1.htm and stated “My Page.”  I have now changed that to “Our Page” because without my wonderful PLN how would I ever find such great sites to add.  As a constant learner and a person who truly wants to help busy students, educators and parents I cannot keep up on everything without your help. 

My PLN means a lot to me #YouMatter.

Thanks to the following and all others who share so much:

@angelamaiers @mbteach @kyplepace @alicekeeler @pernilleripp @brholland @s_bearden @joycevalenza @KleinErin @mr_isaacs @gcouros @jmattmiller @justintarte @KerryHawk02 @sylviaduckworth @shannonmmiller @mssackstein @kevinhoneycutt @ClassTechTips @pammoran @SNewco @TonySinanis @wkrakower @scottrocco @TheBradCurrie @burgess_shelley @NikkiDRobertson @jeffherb @E_Sheninger @burgessdave @RossCoops31 @iTeachLipscomb @TeacherToolkit @gwynethjones @ICTEvangelist @ICTmagic @elissamalespina @ShiftParadigm @JoyKirr @librarian_tiff @TeacherCast @ozge @jenniferlagarde @JennRegruth @ncarroll24 @nathan_stevens @TechNinjaTodd @plnaugle @Lynch39083 @RACzyz @JenWilliamsEdu @ncarroll24  @PeterMDeWitt @LaVonnaRoth @timbuckteeth @russeltarr @elemenous @EdTechNerd @johnsonmaryj 

Control Alt Achieve @ericcurts

Education World @education_world

Emerging EdTech @EmergingEdTech

My Best of series | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… @Larryferlazzo

SurfNetKids @barbarafeldman

Talk Tech With Me @Katie_M_Ritter

Teachers Edition | U.S. Department of Education @usedgov

The Tech Edvocate @techedvocate@AdvocateforEd

#EduGoalsMOOC resources @SteveWheeler

Kathy Shrock’s Guide to Everything @kathyshrock

ASCD @ASCD Which for me as a member in the 1980’s was the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Blogging About the Web 2.0 Connected Classroom by Steven Anderson @web20classroom

BrainPop @BrainPop

Common Sense Media @CommonSense

Cult of Pedagogy @cultofpedagogy

Daily Genius @DailyGenius

EdSurge @EdSurge

EdTechTeam @edtechteam

Education Week Teacher @educationweek

Edutopia (I have followed them since their start) @Edutopia

eSchoolNews @eschoolnews

Four O’Clock Faculty @4OClockFaculty

Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne @rmbyne

Getting Smart @Getting_Smart

Learning in Hand @tonyvincent

Mind Shift @MindShiftKQED

Shake Up Learning Website and Blog @ShakeUpLearning

SimpleK12 @SimpleK12

TeachThought @TeachThought

Tech & Learning @techlearning

The Learning Networks @NYTimesLearning

You can find all these on Some Favorite Resources page

I am inspired and you can be too!

The motto for this year’s #tcea14 Convention & Exposition was “Get “Inspired.”  There are so many ways that you can get inspired.

During the past few weeks I attended some outstanding events that not only engaged me but re-energized me.  I met so many of my PLN that it would be impossible to list all of them.  I love you all and appreciate you.  #youmatter a lot to me.

#FETC14  – Florida

I only had the opportunity to spend one day at #FETC14 but it sure was jam packed with great experiences:

I took part in a fun app session delivered by @adambellow @kathyshrock @lesliefisher and @HallDavidson. Attend stimulating sessions at conferences or go to an edcamp where you can share what works with your students or learn from others.

I was fortunate to join @tomwhitby and @adambellow for a luncheon conversation.  Then we bumped into @rushtonh and I was able to have an enjoyable talk with him. Spend time with your PLN.  It is incredible the sharing and learning that takes place in these informal get togethers.

rushtonadamtom

I really enjoyed hanging out with my fellow #edchat moderators: @blairteach @kylepace @tomwhitby and archivist @jswiatek. Educational chats on Twitter are great opportunities for professional learning.  Take advantage of the incredible chats available.

The extremely well attended TweetUp gave me a chance to meet so many of my PLN.  It was nice to renew acquaintances and make new ones with great educators like @s_bearden @kristenswanson and @thomascmurray.

#TCEA14 – Texas

@tomwhitby and I had a fantastic time during #tcea14 and it was really special when we tweeted side by side while moderating Tuesday evening’s #edchat on: What would be the effect of building collaboration and reflection time into your work schedule?

Take part in chats and build your PLN.  Share your thoughts and learn how others feel.

@kenroyal  I definitely got the royal treatment from Ken who introduced me to so many of his friends in education.   It was so much fun hanging out with him.  It is amazing the connections that you make as you build a Twitter or Social Media Family.

@myclassflow Learned about this interactive lesson planning method that will engage students. Attending sessions gives you to opportunity to see first-hand technology that can help deliver your lessons.

I had a fantastic barbecue dinner with @PaulRWood, @shannonmiller, @TomWhitby, @woscholar et al. was nourishing for body and mind.  It is amazing when educators get together and then discuss intellectual topics that stretch the mind.

EdTech Karoke was a wonderful opportunity to let your hair down and enjoy yourself.  Always enjoy talking with my buddy @kevinhoneycutt. Once again I came across @stevedembo and we both stated that some day we would have to just sit down and talk.  Having fun and learning is great for us and our students.

kevshannontom

I was honored to address the LIB-SIG group thank you @_MichelleCooper. The message to all educators should be to continue to do what you are doing but embrace technology and listen to #stuvoice.

Conferences and edcamps are invaluable as you get a chance to meet members of your PLN (Personal Learning Network) like @mattBgomez  @djakes @duncanbilingual @ipadSammy @RafranzDavis @TechNinjaTodd to discuss educational topics in person, groups or during sessions.  It is now wonderful that you can go to meetings and actually know people as a result of your being a connected educator.

Tuskegee Airmen at Fantasy of Flight – Florida

Thanks to @DennisDill and @MLMRobertson  I was able to accompany their students to a special presentation by three Tuskegee Airmen at the Fantasy of Flight.  These gentlemen gave an outstanding session explaining the struggles they faced and how they triumphed.  It was wonderful that they encouraged the students attending to get a good education and work hard.  My tweets caught the attention of @DianaLRendina who was attending the same presentation with her class.  It is always nice to meet members of my PLN.  Great also to connect with @KKStephens82 the Operations Manager of @fantasyofflight Take advantage of such learning opportunity field trips in person or virtually.

Take part in activities that will inspire you don’t wait for them to come to you.

 

You Matter – Yes, You the Teacher

This is the front door of @grade1 Aviva Dunsiger's classroom.

I have recently been very inspired by what my good Twitter friend @AngelaMaiers is trying to do with her #youmatter mission. We definitely should let the children that we teach know that they matter to us.  Not only should we be recognizing our students and believing in them but you have to realize that you really matter to your students.  Many of your students will never let you know how you have affected them.

While doing my Fall cleaning I came across my Teaching Career binder. It contains many of the letters that I received during my 32 year career.  Most of the letters are from my administrators. Sprinkled throughout are letters from my students.  Reading them reminded me of the funeral of my father.  So many people came up to me and told me how my father had helped them.  I had no idea of his tremendous impact on so many people.  Similarly you might not realize the effect you are having on your students.

Some parts of the letters I received and special times that I’m lucky enough to have been brought to my attention

  • The day my class gave me a trophy and a letter of their appreciation for what I was doing for them.
  • A student’s letter telling me to please stay safe in the dangerous neighborhood where I taught.
  • From parents thanking me for getting their son in a college discovery program.
  • You were the best when I was in your class and you are still climbing that ladder.
  • You have been a great friend as well as a good teacher.
  • The time my track team presented me with a stop watch after we won the city championship.
  • A student who saw me on television teaching a lesson commenting on how great I looked.
  • “Thank you for having faith in me.”
  • I will never forget my first library squad presenting me with a special plaque.
  • “And now, as I am about to embark on this long and treacherous journey called Life, I see it fitting that I look to the past, to the man who has been so important to my growth.  And I want to thank him.  Thank you, Mr. Blumengarten.” (Student at the time was attending Yale University)
  • “And yes, I will surround myself with positive people.  I will also carry the words of “If” with me at all times.” (Student who was a very successful professional athlete written from prison)

Teachers have no real idea of how they have impacted their students’ lives.  Last year when I went to TeachMeet Georgia one of my former students who found me on Facebook said he wanted his wife to meet me.  He and his wife treated my wife and me to a fancy dinner.  He said it was his way of thanking me for helping get into a special program that consisted of boarding school and an Ivy League education.  He remembered my telling him that he was either going to be a politician or lawyer. Today, he is a very successful attorney.

To all educators I want to thank you for all that you do and let you know you too really matter.

 

My Problems with Ed Camps and Teach Meets

The main problem I have with Ed Camps and Teach Meets is that I enjoy them too much!

It is wonderful to be able to connect with great global educators via Twitter, Facebook, Webinars, Elluminate sessions and/or Skype.  The exchange of opinions, ideas, lessons, activities and thoughts are great. In addition, you do, in many cases, start forming friendships with many of the members of your PLN.

The ultimate to me is actually meeting members of your PLN face to face when traveling or attending meetings, conferences, Ed Camps or Teach Meets.

I would love to be able to attend all these events but it can be quite costly.  As I am sure is the case for everyone transportation costs (especially with gas prices rising), lodging and food can get expensive when attending these events.  Since I travel on my own dime (and we all know what a teacher’s salary or pension is like) I have to pick and choose the conferences I can attend in person.  I try to choose those nearest to where I live or places I want to see either for the first time or to revisit.  To get my wonderful and understanding wife to agree to these adventures I have to hold the carrot of visits to quilt shops and interesting places out in front of her. Now, she has been to quilt shops in 16 states (34 more to go!).

Once I have narrowed down my selection of Ed Camps I can attend, another problem I experience is choosing which sessions to attend!  In many cases I really want to be a part of all of them.  This really hit home last July at #ntcamp when I missed Steve Anderson’s @web20classroom’s Smackdown session.  I had promised another member of my PLN to go to her session (which was wonderful).  I then decided to make it a point to tell those planning Ed Camps or Teach Meets to have the Smackdown either at lunch time or at a joint session.  I feel the Smackdown is the best way to introduce the wonderful web tools that are available.  Every Smackdown I have attended I have inevitably heard the comment, “Wow!  I can use that in my classroom!”

I am so honored when members of my PLN want to take pictures of me or say nice things about meeting me.  I even get a little upset when I cannot attend conferences, Ed Camps, or Teach Meets, especially when my PLN members ask if I am going to be there.  Hey, who wouldn’t want to be at ISTE or any of the other Ed Camps or Teach Meets that are held?

I urge everyone to attend a local Ed Camp or Teach Meet.  It is such a wonderful way to meet and greet your PLN friends.  Please bring some of your colleagues with you.  In this way you can each go to a different session held at the same time and then compare notes. My wife and I do that on our trips home.

I can only hope each one of you ends up having the same problems with Ed Camps that I do.

You can find me chatting on Twitter!

All right, I admit, I am a Twitter educational chataholic!  My wife is definitely not thrilled with me because I don’t like to miss the opportunity to participate in many of these chats.  She enjoys long car trips as she usually has my full attention to chat with her.  Of course, there have been times I have borrowed her iPad in the car when I am asked to, usually at the last minute, to moderate #edchat.  Don’t worry she takes over the driving at these times.

My interesting educational career enables me to try to share my experiences (and yes, my sites in many of the chats).  I started as a day to day substitute teacher in a school that needed me every day.  I never knew what subject area I would be filling in for.  When I became a regular teacher I was given multiple subject areas to teach. I have taught grades 6-9, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Science, Bilingual Reading, Music (assist), Swimming (assist), Special Ed, Gifted, Teacher-Librarian, and Health Careers….I coached basketball, flag football and track. I also wrote curriculum in many different subject areas for my school, district and the New York City Board of Education (now Dept. of Ed).  In my spare time I have been writing educational materials for the utility industry for over 30 years.

My first encounter with a chat was in the summer of 2009.  I stumbled on #edchat and I was intrigued with the conversation going on.  I admit I lurked until I got the courage to enter the fray.  Who would have believed I would eventually become a part of the great #edchat team! (@web20classroom  @tomwhitby @ShellTerrell @rliberni @mbteach @kylepace @jswiatek)

I kept thinking of the need for more chats in specific subject and other areas so when people started suggesting other chats I decided to help them get started.

#elemchat  The #elemchat team (@tcash @NancyTeaches @doriedance @louwinsr @gret @thompseg)boasts teacher-moderators from Morocco, Australia, Argentina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Ohio. I am proud to be the resource person for this great group as it’s a wonderful chat for elementary school teachers. My love for this level comes from my wife who taught elementary school, my grandchildren and the many writing presentations I give.

#engchat  At #ntcamp last July I remember encouraging Meenoo Rami (@mrami2) who had the idea for an English chat.  She asked me to moderate a recent #engchat.  I decided it was time to combine the #sschat with her chat for a session.  I came up with the special #engsschat.  Wow, that was a wonderful meeting of outstanding educators in both subject areas.  It will not be the last time these teachers come together to share and collaborate.

#gtchat  When @DeborahMersino  tweeted she wanted to start a gifted teacher chat I immediately started helping her with ideas on how to develop it.  I am so pleased with how well this chat has developed and I enjoy the great global educators that are participating in it.  It has also spawned #gtie which is a gifted chat for Irish educators.

#musedchat  When Andy Zweibel (@Zweibz7)a student at the University of Miami (“The U”) asked for help starting a music chat I came to his aid.  I thought how wonderful it was to have a college student start a music chat that I am pleased has grown and developed beautifully.

#ptchat When Aparna Vashisht-Rota (@Parentella) started this parent-teacher chat I even had my wife participate as she is a parent educator.

#ntchat  When Lisa Dabbs (@teachingwthsoul) began this chat  I had to participate because I always enjoyed helping new teachers in whatever school I taught at.  I also served in the capacity of Lead Teacher in my school.  When @andycinek  on one chat brought up the idea for a #ntcamp I immediately tweeted him I would help spread the word and wound up being honored to give the Opening Address last year for #ntcamp in Philadelphia

So you can find me on the above chats as well as on #artsed, #Blogchat, #coachchat, #ecosys, #eltchat, #ellchat, #4thchat, #isedchat, #kinderchat, #langchat, #mathchat, #midleved, #RuralEd, #scichat, #spedchat, #spnchat, #tck, #tlchat, #titletalk ….