I am currently participating in an amazing online book study.  We are reading The New Pillars of Modern Teaching by, Gayle Allen.  Gayle pushes readers to move from their traditional principles of teaching and learning to the modern pillars of teaching.  The first pillar, design, centers around the need to empower students to create their own learning experiences.  When making the shift, the author shares four categories to consider: time, place, medium, and socialness.  I will be a learner for life.  Here is a closer look at my personal reflections for pillar one, Design.  I may be a "hyper-learner".

Atomic Learning recently unveiled their new Ambassador Program.  I don't usually get excited about these things because of the set up of similar programs in many other organizations.  From what I have witnessed with some other companies, teachers are baited to join a program.  Once excepted, there are little to no rewards given for agreeing to share your love for their product.  As an educator, this is something I know teachers already do.  We love to share what we know works.  However, this program is different.  Along with agreeing to spread the gospel of a good product, there are various benefits to Ambassadors.  There are also opportunities to "level up" by adding on to your commitment based on what your schedule allows. I am a learning junkie, so the best part of this program is the opportunity to learn as much as I possibly can through their online learning framework.

• Learn It:  Take time to learn through the online lessons.
• Do It:  Apply your new learning to your life or in your classroom.
• Share It:  Connect with other educators and share what you have learned.
• Prove It:  Document your learning.

 
I recently completed Effective Presentation Design.  After countless presentations on various subjects over the span of my career, I can't believe how much I learned!  


If this seems like something you may be interested in pursuing.  Click here to learn more about The Atomic Learning Ambassador Program.

I wouldn't be able to survive without my PLN.  In a recent blog post for Atomic Learning, I shared all about why I love my PLN.  Read all about it here.

Today's Edumatch Tweet & Talk was FIYA! It was all about blogging, and I enjoyed it so much that I thought I would take a few minutes to dump the rest of the conversation going on in my head here.  

The one question that's bouncing around in my head most is "Why do you blog?"  Many people blog for many different reasons.  I am sure mine will differ from others, but I blog to simply have a place to share my thoughts.  There are so many things that happen in a day.  Working with students, working with teachers, raising children.....I have so many meaningful experiences that I want to share with others.  When something happens or an event triggers me to really think or become excited, I want to share with others, just like today's conversation.  Blogging gives me space to dump my brain for others to see and connect with my experiences.  It's a place for me to share my day, my life, my frustrations....sometimes all in the same post.  I blog to free my mind, to connect with others who are not here with me on a daily basis, to showcase the amazing people in my life.  My "why" changes often, but there is one thing that is true. I blog to to tell my own story.

During today's Edumatch episode, there was lots of discussion about how to get started and what we do to stay on track.  I can remember writing my very first blog post a little over a year ago.  I was fortunate to meet Shaina Glass via Twitter, and she has an amazing blog she posts on Tackk.  After connecting, I knew I wanted to post too.  She was kind enough to walk me through a few ins and outs using Voxer late one night, and my blog was born.  That's just it!  Blogging isn't rocket science for me.  It's simply a journal that I get to share with the world.  I don't really have a set schedule or time to post.  I simply share when something in my head won't stop rattling around.  Then, I open my computer and begin to type.  I'm sure there is a better, more structured method to this madness, but this is what works for me.  I'm afraid to place it on my calendar or set aside time for my first draft followed up by editing and revising because that will drain all of the unstructured fun of sharing for me.  I have other platforms that require structure, rules, organization, and dates.  My personal blog does not, and that is why I enjoy it so much.  There are no rules.  I simply get to share a piece of myself with others.

Perhaps you want to start a blog.  Maybe you are contemplating if you should blog....or not. Do it!  Do it! Do it! Yesterday, I attended the very first EduPassions Web Conference, and it was amazing!  Educators from around the world shared their passions and goals as educators.  The one thing that really struck me was that nothing truly starts for you until YOU start it.  I know.  That's pretty deep, huh.  It really isn't!  If you want to blog, do it! Take the first step by opening your computer and typing.  Reach out to someone else who is already blogging and ask for guidance if you need to do so.  However, you will never get started until you get started.  Start a blog, and share it with me.  I can't wait to celebrate your success! 

I have been reflecting on the need for teachers to have a coach, someone in their corner to help them, show them the way, and simply be there.  In a recent blog post, I recalled my first mentor, who was just happens to also be my father.  Everyone Needs a Coach is a walk down memory lane to review the time, effort, and support he poured into me as a brand new teacher. 

There is a need for teachers to feel supported, a need for them to have a place where they feel comfortable asking questions and sharing concerns.  Out of this need, I partnered with a few of my PLN (personal learning network) friends to offer free monthly support for new teachers, New Teacher Voice, the third Saturday of each month at 10AM CST.  

New Teacher Voice is a monthly conversation for "new teachers".  This includes preservice teachers, teachers new to the classroom, or any educator who has been in the classroom and feels they need support.  While our target audience is teachers with 0 to 5 years of experience, we are here to assist any educator who needs support.  Know a teacher in need of support?  Are you a new teacher looking for support?  Register here for monthly support.  Perhaps you cannot wait until the live monthly session for support.  We also have a place for you to place questions or comments in order to receive support.  The New Teacher Padlet is always available for you.  

We're looking forward to supporting you!  Join us the 3rd Saturday of each month at 10AM CST.

Past Discussions
NTV 8/27/16
NTV 8/20/16

Helpful Links
New Teacher Voice Registration
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When I first started teaching, I only knew three things.

1. I wanted to teach.
2. I liked kids.
3. I was good in math. 

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I had some experience working with kids in the community, and I knew I loved it.  It was rewarding to help others, so when the opportunity to teach presented itself, I accepted and never looked back.  I knew I was green and knew nothing.  I didn't even have to tell my weekly planning partner.  He didn't assume that I would "find my fit".  I never once heard him say "Fake it till you make it!" (I can vividly remember hearing a mentor say this to me once.)  He sat me down and walked me through each lesson, each day, until I had a fail proof plan to help students.  I can hear him now saying, "Kniki, what will you say if no one knows the answer?" or "How will you know when all of the students understand?"  Each question was followed by a thorough conversation and systematic steps and questioning strategies to get all of my students where they needed to be.  In that moment, he didn't know it, but he was showing me the power of a powerful coach.  We cannot assume teachers come to our campuses equipped to meet the needs of our students.  We must be a resource for them.  Does this mean the coach knows everything?  Of course not!  However, I know that if teachers need it for students, I have to carve out time to give it to them.  Now, I do realize support must be differentiated and will not look the same for the first year teacher and the rock star veteran, I am still responsible to equip teachers with everything they need in order to be successful with students.

Friday, July 8th, I was able to attend Edcamp DOED (Department of Education) at Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C.   If you know the slightest bit of information about me, you know I absolutely love Edcamp!  The opportunity to gather with educators from across the Unites States along with the United States Department of Education was an amazing experience.  Along with sitting through some amazing sessions, I was able to connect with other organizers from across the country to learn about ways to improve Edcamp experiences I am able to help plan.

Feel free to look over our session notes from the day found here.