Author: gerigillespy

These are resources and examples the West Ada Digital Integration Department uses to support the intentional use of digital tools to expand learning.

RESOURCE NOTEBOOK

Join us for the Tweet Meet on June 18th to hear from educators all over the world using Microsoft Teams to revolutionize education.

Learn more about available resources to utilize Microsoft Teams in your practice, for example.

Every year as the school year ends, I reflect on all the opportunities I had to meet new people and to make connections with other educators all over.  This year has been both rewarding and challenging like all the previous years in this profession.  However, I still believe in my heart it is worth it.  Especially with days like today, when I got to spend 2 hours with the 18-21 Special Needs Adult program in one of our high schools.  We discussed digital citizenship and accessibility tools online.  I again learned more from them then I think they learned from me.  However, they did invite me back again, so I think the lessons went well.

As the school year ends, the students in your classroom or classes will move on and go different ways.  Just as you will remember them and the crazy stunts they might have tried, they will also remember you.  They may not remember every lesson you taught them this year or bits of good advice you shared.  However, they will always remember you and how much you cared to make a difference in their education. I guarantee they will someday share stories reminiscing with friends or telling their own children about the “good old days” and their adventures in your classroom for years to come .

As I continue to reflect on my own practice this year, I hope I inspired, empowered, and educated teachers from a district level to make new connections with others and make at least one new reflection about themselves and their practice. Using the title of Dr. Marzano’s book, I often say , it is not the Art and Science of Teaching, it is actually, The Art and Science of Reflection, that makes a real difference.

Thank you to anyone taking the time to read this post and reflect.  As a learning community we owe it to ourselves and our students to continue to learn and grow as educators.  We do make a difference.  Thank you for all you do.

November is my favorite month. Many think it is September because that is my “birthday month” or December because of Christmas, however, they are wrong. I love November because for me it is a month of reflection. Even if you do not celebrate Thanksgiving, everyone should take time to reflect on the parts of their life they are thankful for and where they would like to make more of a difference. Some experts think it is the “Art of Teaching” that makes a master educator, however, I really think it is the “Art of Reflection” that makes a difference in the classroom or in life. Anytime we can take a moment to reflect on our practice and be willing to take a risk or make a change to improve student learning, we are elevating our profession. Take time for yourself and your family this month and be grateful for the people and the experiences you have in your life. Inspire, Empower, and Educate. Teachers are the magic.

Thank you for all you do!

Ever since I was a child I have had an obsession for all “things” Disney.  I think it is because of the message that is everywhere about following your dreams and believing in the impossible.  I never have fit into the perfect box.  My family was different, my friends were different, and the world of Disney made me feel like that all did not matter.  Because of my love for Disney, I relate to two very different characters often in my own life, Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland.  Although I could write about various times when my curiosity, like Alice, took me to new places in my life and work, where I too felt like I fell down a rabbit hole lost and confused, however, for this article I want to share more about me as Cinderella and the lessons I have learned.

Between being a mom, wife, graduate student, professional learning consultant, Microsoft Innovative Education Expert Fellow, and district administrator for a large school district, I feel like I am constantly chasing tasks I want to get done versus the tasks I need to get done as support in all my different roles.  This is the Cinderella in me.  I get up early and go to bed late hoping to have time to get everything ready for myself to get to the ball, however, there is always something else that needs to be done in order to get the job done.  I think all people who are “type-A-go-getters” like me feel this way, however, it is comforting for me to relate to a Disney princess that ends up having all her dreams come true.   Hard work and sacrifice do make a difference, but we all need to remember to take a little time for ourselves.  Even Cinderella made it to the ball with a little help and she still remained true to herself in the end.

I started this online blog chat last year hoping to share my thoughts each week.  As I took more on in my personal life and work life, I had less time to do the activities that I wanted to get done.  I know better than that… I need to take time for myself and to continue to reflect on my own journey as a life-long learner, professional educator, and as a super awesome mom and wife.  So that is my message for this week.  Take time out to be the Cinderella Princess or Charming Prince you want to be.  Go to the ball, read a book, take a trip, watch a show, or reflect on a blog, if that is what makes you smile.  Everyone has time to take a break and breathe before the clock strikes midnight.  Then the chaos of life can start again.