You Learn Something New Everyday!!!

Life's Little Instruction Book- # 29-Be a student in some kind of class.

Every once in a blue moon I will have a student say to me, "But Miss Jones you are supposed to know everything your a teacher." Although this one saying does give me a little boost of self worth, it is then that I realize we as teachers should be just as excited about learning as we are of teaching our students to love learning. That was the case for me today in Technology class. Today we discussed various ways different school departments use technology. Transportation, CNP (lunchroom), etc.. This was truly a learning experience. I had no clue how easy technology can help a school system in ensuring that students are safe, fed, and watched through the use of technology. I am not discussing the use of video cameras but with the INow program. My eyes have truly been opened this term to the world of technology. I have been introduced into a world that I no longer fear, but am truly curious to learn about. I may not be a true "Tekkie", but hopefully I might just get a starter club membership card to put in my wallet. I truly believe that when a teacher should never stop learning, but start exploring and learning with her students.

North Alabama Technology Conference 2010

"The illiterate of the 21st century won't be those who can't read & write but those who can't learn, unlearn, & relearn"- Alvin Toffler- shared by @jepcke and @rrodrigo via Twitter.

I could not have stated the above quote better myself. This past week I attended the NATC 2010 Extreme Makeover at Sparkman 9th grade & Sparkman High School. This conference was both nerve racking and exciting for me all at the same time. The first session I went to was the overflow for the INOW- updated new version of STI. Now I can't speak for everyone, but I was just now getting pretty good at the old STI, now they go and change it on me. I can't wait to see what the more "seasoned" teachers at my school do with the new STI. I will have to close my door and laugh to myself at the roar, not that I will be the guru of the new version, but at least I know it is coming soon to our school. I also enjoyed the sessions with Mr. Richard Love. It make me sick to think about all the sick people in the world that use the Internet for sick pleasure. It also made me realize that PARENTS must patrol the computer and know where their children are at all times. The other sessions that I attended over the two days were all about how to use different types of programs in the classroom. What I enjoyed about these sessions was that they tools and information I received were more about my students using technology rather than me. I love to let my students create, but one thing I have watched over time is that we have not allowed them to truly create without adding our input into the creation. Hopefully, with all the various types of technology we have now, we can let students create new and meaningful creations that will totally change the world. I know that is a cheesy thought, but oh the possibilities are endless for our students.

A Vision of K-12 Students Today

Jill trying to learn You Tube

Why I Want to be an Administrator!!!

"Leadership is needed to assemble a team of renegades with the right mix of passion and courage to be willing to do things that haven't been done before"- Scott Lutz, CEO.

As a child I used to love to play the games Simon Says, Follow the Leader and Mother May I. My favorite part of course was being the one player who got to tell the others what to do. To most people that is what being an administrator is all about. I thought that when I first began my teaching career as well and to be honest I wanted no part of that. Fast forward fifteen years later and here I am finishing my degree in Educational Leadership. The question I must answer now is why do I want to be administrator? The answer is simple and complicated all at the same time. First, I truly want to serve and meet the needs of every student I come in contact with. Second, I want to learn, help, create, and collaborate new ideas, policies, and ensure that all students are getting the effective teaching they deserve. I want to show that you don't have to run a school like a prison. Schools should be a place where everyone is safe and on an equal playing field regardless of outside interferences. I also feel like when the buzzer sounds I want the ball in my hands. It is not for worship or selfish reason that I want to lead. It is just that I see being a school leader as a way for me to help make the occupation that I adore better than when I entered it.

If at First You Don't Succeed

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Fail again. Fail better"- Samuel Beckett.
This quote has never been more true for me than right now. This is my now second attempt at blogging. The first was about twenty minutes ago, but somehow it is now out in the great unknown. So if at first I don't succeed...try, try again. I am feeling like a total failure at this point in the game. I hope I can become better at this type of communication. I also need to learn how to link this with a wiki...I am not real sure what a wiki is, but I am going to learn asap!!! Now I realize how my students feel when I introduce them to a new concept in my class. I am nervous, excited, yet fearful I won't be able to keep up my peers. No one likes to be the weakest link. I know I will be able to figure all this technology "stuff" out. Everyone was once a beginner. Have a good end of the week and stay tuned!!!!!