First Three to Being a Connected Educator

Today I had the fun of being a guest tweeter. (That was a first!) I was the connected educator of the day at @ConnectedEd thanks to Karen Fasimpaur‘s appeal on Sunday.  It’s weird…I’m usually a little more shy on Twitter, but today I tweeted and RTed like a maniac.

One thing I tweeted was:

I guess I wasn’t surprised to hear what topped the list–Twitter. (The list below is in order by how many times each was mentioned. Twitter and blogging were by far mentioned most often. The others were mentioned 1-3 times each.)

So, if you are a future connected educator, jump in and use one of these tools to join or extend your connections!

If you are already a connected educator, what tools and communities did you use to get connected?

Thanks to @CoughlinLaura, @JoyKirr, @NCarroll24, @KTVee, @Gallit_Z , @HughtheTeacher, @tdallen5, @Desjaras for sharing what helped them become connected.

Chief Learner

 I used to teach my students,

But now, as chief learner in my classroom, we create learning together.

I used to use technology to enhance student learning,

But now I empower geniuses to use technology to connect, create, contribute, and collaborate.

I once was the teacher up front,

But now I sit in a student desk elbow-to-elbow with learners.

If I could I would give the gift of lifelong learning to every child.

I would always be patient and guide them to their passions.

I will not quit my quest to inspire and empower them,

But I need them to keep inspiring and empowering me as well.

I’m not always successful,

But I do love them and will keep telling them they are geniuses until they believe it.

I won’t give up,

But I get discouraged when students can’t seem to unlearn the old ways.

I used to teach my students,

But now I am the chief learner in my classroom.

~Denise Krebs

August, 2012. It’s been a busy month.

Early in the month, I had a week of relaxing vacation where all I did was read and hike. Then I came back to a classroom needing attention. Now, I’ve just finished my first full week of a new school year.

It’s also Connected Educator Month, where I have had three awesome experiences!

It’s been a great month! I wrote the poem above because I was inspired by my connections. Thank you, PLN!

Extending the Conversation During Connected Educator Month

Original image by Sheri Edwards teach.eagle

Today, as part of Connected Educator’s Month, Sheri Edwards and I led a webinar called “Extend the Conversation.”

It was invigorating and empowering to share our story of how we journeyed to become connected educators. Sheri and I extended our conversation by learning lots of new things in the last couple of weeks as we prepared and presented. I love being a connected educator!

We had a small group in attendance, but the webinar was taped and archived on Vimeo. Here are some links if you’d like to check it out.

P2PU – Peer to Peer University, who hosted our webinar. Thanks to Karen (@kfasimpaur)

Extend the Conversation Chat Archive

Extend the Conversation website

Extend the Conversation on Vimeo

Making Progress! Leadership Day 2012

Today is Leadership Day 2012. Dr. Scott McLeod, Director of Innovation for Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency 8 in Iowa, has been calling people to write Leadership Day posts since 2007. (This year’s post is here.)

Last year I wrote my first Leadership Day post as an open letter to my administrator whom I had yet to met. I didn’t know anything about her. Now, I have had the joy of meeting her and working with her for one year.

As I re-read my post from last year, I am excited! A lot has happened since then, including some great professional development last year. We took a quick tour of the five Characteristics of Effective Instruction described in the Iowa Core. We also did some technology trainings. And, one of the best things, we bought two new laptop carts with Macs. One is housed in my room, with easy access for my students!

My class became more student-centered, due in part to our in-school PD, but even more as a result of my PLN and all I’m learning and sharing as a connected educator. This year I am excited to work more on rigor and relevance in my student-centered, genius classroom. We’ll be studying that characteristic in depth at school. I know I will grow yet again as an educator. I have appreciated our new administrator’s leadership.

And, bonus! On Monday I came into the office after the summer and she told me she was tweeting now. I was tickled! She is becoming a connected educator, and she’s already been tweeting out resources for others to benefit from! I’m looking forward to the new things we will learn together. Follow her at @LisaHamerlinck1

Tonight is open house at our school.

Lisa, I am planning to spend tonight and the first five days of school inspiring learning in my geniuses, not telling students what they can’t do. When they come into my room, this slideshow will be rolling.

Read more Leadership Day 2012 posts here.

Join Us!

Sheri Edwards and I will be leading a webinar next Saturday for Connected Educator Month. Sheri created this “trailer” to give you a preview of our presentation. (She is constantly teaching me something new! I’m so glad I’m connected!)

We hope you will join us as we share our own stories of extending the conversation and becoming connected educators. Thanks!

Give a Little Bit from Sheri Edwards on Vimeo.

My Journey to a PLN

For Connected Educator Month, Sheri and I are leading a webinar called “Extend the Conversation.” We will be sharing our own stories of how we became connected educators. Becoming a connected educator for me was a steep learning curve, but it was well worth it. I’m a slow and steady learner, but like the tortoise, that is sometimes a good way to be!

As a teacher, I have always been a lifelong learner, but since I became a connected educator, I now have the joy of learning and growing with an incredible group of people in my PLN. Not only am I learning and growing from them, but I am also now a contributor and collaborator. My PLN has given me courage and confidence to be a leader in my classroom, my school, my state, and the world. I am no longer afraid to “share my genius with the world.”

I made this timeline to show my journey to a PLN. (Click on the speech bubbles for more information.)

Paris, Future Music Therapist

I met Paris in August 2006. She was in seventh grade. I was new to the school, and she and her classmates helped me make it through my first year in junior high.

Paris is now on her way to college to study music therapy. She has many talents, one of the best being her ability to make people feel welcome, special and loved. She will be an incredible therapist some day!

She has applied for a music scholarship by singing the national anthem “by the dawn’s early light.” As Joy Kirr pointed out to me, you can even hear the crickets chirping.

Will you help Paris win the scholarship by voting for her?

You can vote once a day with each email address you have until August 24. Thanks so much for helping making a special young woman’s dream come true!

Just click on the link (or watch the video here if it’s available.)
http://www.fmccrop.com/grower/Anthem-Singing-Contest.aspx?vkey=VGnC2fQT