Archive for Features

More than 140

// May 4th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Comments, Features, Podcasts, video

NETA 2010 has come and gone.  I am always impressed with what I see and hear at the conference. Sometimes in the keynotes and breakouts, but mostly with my PLN and the conversations that happen.  Sometimes they happen by chance in passing, sometimes they happen in meeting places like the PLN Plaza that is the unique space for those generative conversations.  I only see these people, who have become my colleagues and friends, in person once a year.  It is amazing to me how welcome and in-place that they make me feel.  They give me space for a voice and even if i am working stuff out that they have already considered i get the room to work thru it out loud and with them.  They are truly great educators and mentors.  If you haven’t started yet, i can only say that you need to grow and invest in your own PLN.  My growth as an educator has been exponentially exploded by them.

It was a time of revelation and reflection for me.  I had just one year ago been student teaching and had been turned down for presenting at NETA 09.  This year I got the opportunity to present twice.  Though of course I want it to always go perfect, the big point to remember and celebrate was the fact that I am moving in the direction of positively influencing the face of education.  We all are.

Remember to keep on keeping on.  We are in a long race, not a sprint.  Education is for the resilient

From Here…

// November 22nd, 2009 // 24 Comments » // Features

It seems that lessons are where you find them. I have been involved in a lot of planning and meetings and all the other stuff that as an Instructional Coach steers me away from the classroom. But once again as I have found before students are the salvation. I got a chance to work in multiple classrooms last week and the students energy infected me faster than H1N1. Teaching for me is so much a learning process and that is the draw. All of us get frustrated from time to time but the advantage we have with teaching is that we can adjust. We can say from here I will change this or strive for that. The reasons we come to teach are varied but I find for most of the people I see the commitment is deep and meaningful. So if you get worn, stop adjust and say. From here I will…….

Circle

// November 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Features

Well life is sometimes a funny path. The NYAT team has decieded to move the energy back to the main page. This means no personal pages for us but hopefully more blogposts for the mainsite. Telephone tell a friend and let’s get a new feedback loop going with good discussion and yes soon the podcasting will again be in full effect. Thanks. D

30 First Days

// August 21st, 2009 // 10 Comments » // Comments, Features

I (Jarred) am lucky to have a great support system in my new school, and wanted to see what the first day of school feels like for a true veteran of the field.  Doreen has been an amazing team leader for me so far, and has welcomed any question or problem I’ve had with open arms.  I know people like her are not in every school, but I wish they could so every new or pre-service teacher could see what it means to find a great “fit” in a school.  Here is Doreen’s version of first day jitters:

I’m in such good spirits today!  It’s Friday and it’s been a great start to the school year.
As always, I spent several sleepless nights before the first day of school.  Do I have everything ready?  How will I do things differently this year?  What more can I do to make school fun and exciting?  One would think when I’ve had 30 first days of school I’d feel more at ease with it, but the “butterflies” come each year.  I guess I’m glad they do.  I think it means that I’m still excited about what I do.  I must admit that the job never gets any easier and actually seems much more difficult than when I started.  But I still walk out of school each day, glad for the job I have, for the opportunities I have to make a difference, and for the outstanding people I work with.  At least I feel like that almost every day!

Thanks Doreen.  I encourage anyone else that wants to share their first day/week stories with us here (hint-hint CT’s!!).  As a pre-service and now a service teacher, it is always nice to know the nerves never go away!