I'm Technically Speaking

Did you know that this coming week is Teacher Appreciation Week? In fact, May 7th is National Teacher Day! Teaching is a tough job. It is a job that tends to have long hours, low pay, and as a consolation prize...summers off. I say it is a "consolation prize" because saying teachers have summers off in itself is a misnomer. If you would ask almost any teacher, the summer really isn't "off". Teachers are often filling their summer with planing, professional development, and school assigned work. Why would someone choose this career path then? I will give you my answer:        Simply put....I love what I do! I love being able to share my educational passion with children. It is a new adventure every day!

Tech Tool Post! Yippie!! Here is a fun photo tool that I found recently. Photovisi -- Easy Photo Collage It is says that it is easy and let me tell you, it is! This is a quick, easy and free tool! You can even create without registering or login (the main benefit to registration and login is saving). I love the ability to learn about the tool without having to go through the registration process! Step 1: Is to choose your collage layout. I was initially disappointed with the choices with the first grouping (popular) that is shown. Many of the  "popular" choices are locked. However, there are lots of choices under each of the categories below the popular. Step 2: Add your photos, change the background and text as you desire. Here is what I created to use as my banner for Facebook: Step 3: Click Finish  Once the preparation is completed click continue Step 4: You are ready to download Step 5: You can now choose to download, share, or use a...

I think I have caught something. My head hurts. I am tired all day and feel like staying in bed. My heart sometimes races and stomach aches. My muscles are tight and sore, especially in my feet, back and neck. My brain seems to forget things, stay on one thing, and not stop thinking at times. What do you think? Do you think you might even say that you have seen others with similar symptoms? You might say that you are not a doctor and maybe I should see one. Only I am sure the diagnosis would be something like this: It is going around you know!

I sat down this weekend with a prospective student and her parents. I highlighted our education department and overviewed the expectations. The parents ask "parenty" questions. Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I saw a different layer. I saw a mom and dad who were watching their child in one of life's big adventures. I saw a mother's eyes who's love, care, excitement, and twinge of sadness twinkled as we talked. I saw dad's protective, steadfast, and loving eyes. Somewhere in this conversation it wasn't two parents and their child...it was my daughter I saw and my husband and I looking on. The realization that one day she would be making college decisions. We would be asking the questions. It would be our hearts full of excitement, yet seeing our "baby" in this big adventure moment. A day when preschool graduation, will seen like an eternity ago. Kindergarten graduation will not be weeks away but years ago.

Have you ever gone to Walmart?    The answer is probably yes. Have you ever gone to Walmart and noticed the doors?     Now I may have you thinking and picturing. I may have you wondering why I am asking. Let me help you with the picture....     Look familiar? Let's zoom in a little.... Now it is time for a little honesty....         How many of you pay any attention to the enter and exit signs? Do you enter through the exit and    exit through the enter? I noticed something today. There is a motion sensor on both sides. Take a look at the picture again.... If I am only to enter through the enter side, why would there be a sensor on the exit side? In fact, today that door opened first for me! Why would I not enter through it? Who doesn't go through a door that opens for them? Maybe it doesn't matter in the long run which door to enter through. Just don't run into the lady who barks a...

We have officially entered the end of the year "countdown". Yesterday my college students shared the exact number of days left (and one had an app doing the countdown). In honor of them, I created one also...let the countdown begin! End of the school year countdown

This little rocket ship may not seem like much. If it caught your attention, you might look at it and wonder about it. Why does it have a circle on the right upper side? Is that an open window? Why are the letters "L" and "M" on it? What if I were to tell you that only graduates receive them? That the letters stand for "Launch Me". And that circle on the side, is so that it can be worn with pride.  But no, it has nothing to do with NASA! However, everything to do with a launch. Intrigued? So was I! Here is where it all started: Was I ready to take my skills to new places? As an instructor or presenter I know that I can keep refining and fine tuning my presentation skills. So, what would it hurt?! Sign me up.... So this last week I spent two days in Hutchinson at ESSDACK with two top notch presenters and forward thinkers. One is pictured above, Kevin Honeycutt . The other can be found with all things PBL, but also as co-collaborator wi...