Kentucky Connected Educator Day 23

Digital Citizenship Week takes us to Barren County today...

Jaime McMillan

High School English Teacher

Barren County

In what way (s) are you a connected educator?

I remain a connected educator through the use of social media and Internet tools in my classroom.  Over the past year and a half, I have learned to use Twitter as a rich educational tool for myself and for my students.  On Twitter, I had the amazing opportunity to connect with Rob DuBois, author of Powerful Peace.  As I taught Mr. DuBois’ book in my class, we were actually able to interact with him and other professionals connected with his book on Twitter. 

I also use Twitter for other classroom activities and resources as well.  Through Twitter posts of other professionals, I found the Marc and Angel Hack Life blog (www.marcandangel.com).  I have begun using some of these blog posts with my seniors as a read and response activity.  This activity heightened student interest and gave them a unique classroom lesson plan beyond the textbook.

We also use blogging on my school website for some class activities.  While some teachers use the Edmodo resource for blogging, I have kept my activities tied to my school website blog option.  Here, I set up blog questions for my students to connect with certain chapters or quotes from the books we read in class.  Students then go into the blog and post their responses.  Again, this gives students the opportunity to move beyond the textbook and use social media tools within the classroom.

How does being connected impact your practice?  

My class had two different online response days where we discussed specific aspects of Rob DuBois’ non-fiction book Powerful Peace.  We labeled these activities “TweetChat” sessions.  These interactive sessions piqued students’ interest by giving them a unique opportunity to feel and experience a connection with the author himself.   Also, these TweetChat sessions gave my students and me a sense of worldly community connection as those who interacted with us, though connected with the book, were located in different parts of the country.  Further, those who watched our classroom activities unfold online offered help, resources, and even donated more books to my classroom.  Through this online connection, Mr. DuBois even visited our school and met with my students who read his book. 

In addition, I often conduct short classroom activities using Twitter.  I’ll post a question or multiple questions for students to answer.  Students learn to become precise and succinct in their responses due to the 140 character limit on a Twitter post. 

How does being connected impact you as a professional?

Social media such as Twitter allows me to interact and connect with similar individuals who can exchange information and ideas with me about educational practices, resources, and activities.  Being connected on social media has also afforded me the opportunity as an education professional to showcase to those outside the educational realm that progressive, fun, and exciting activities happen in public schools. 

What advice or resources would you recommend to colleagues interested in becoming connected?

Many educators have begun using Twitter and other social media tools as avenues for classroom activities.  The students love these activities, as most students personally use social media on a daily basis.  I find when students are interested in an activity, they put forth more effort and look forward to class activities.  I truly believe that learning at higher levels occurs when students are connected and excited about their schoolwork. 

I would recommend any educator at least try one form of social media for classroom activities.  Twitter, blogging, Facebook, Edmodo, YouTube, and dozens of other options exist.  Don’t be afraid to “get connected” using one or more of these online options for classroom activities. 

Jaime McMillan is a 13 year veteran English teacher at Barren County High School.   Jaime earned a Master’s Degree of Arts in English and Education from Western Kentucky University.  She is known for her innovative teaching strategies that connect the content of lessons to lifelong learning skills for better individuals in a better society.  She has conducted writing workshops for her school and has earned multiple awards for the integration of technology in her classroom.  The Barren County School District named Jaime district teacher of the month in December 2012 for her use of technology and social media in the classroom. 

Twitter @KYTeacherJMc

Linked In-Jaime McMillan

Kentucky Connected Educator Day 13

Dr. Jim Flynn

Superintendent

Simpson County Schools

 In what ways are you a connected educator?

A wise person advised me long ago that in education, it’s the people, not the programs that make a school…  That advice is deeply ingrained into my leadership vision and work to get our staff, students, parents, and community engaged in advancing the vision and mission of the school system.  Our vision in Simpson County schools is to be a world-class educational system empowering all students to graduate LIFE-READY - academically and socially prepared for college and/or careers! Our mission is to develop each child to their fullest potential and prepare them for the next level of life!  Our mission is driven by five fundamental guiding questions:

• How do we develop positive, professional relationships with our students, their families, and one another?
• How do we ensure all students are taught the standards and skills needed to be college and/or career ready in the 21^st Century?
• How do we measure the progress of our students to these standards and skills?
• How do we provide interventions for students who are struggling to achieve our learning goals?
• How do we enrich and stretch the learning of our students who are meeting or exceeding our learning goals?

In our school system, I have worked hard with our team to create systems, structures, and logistics to bring folks together to learn, collaborate, and work on the guiding questions of our mission.  In addition to our 4 professional development days, we have 4.5 learning community days spread throughout our school year which provides time for professional learning community (PLC) work; follow-up training; vertical teaming and collaboration; and time for other school or district initiatives.  Additionally, our schools are creative with their use of time to create other opportunities for staff collaboration and development.  For example, while the staff works in PLCs from 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM, the Central Office team will come to a school to help with supervision and a school-wide assembly.  Time is a precious asset and we harness it for collaboration and connectedness among our students and staff!

Technology has become an important tool that allows our folks to connect and grow!  All of our unit plans and pacing guides are posted on our website.  Our teachers are leveraging CIITS for classroom and common assessments, units and lesson resources, along with many other resources including PD360.  The PD360 has been instrumental in our LDC/MDC work for example.  We’ve been able to set up PD Groups to learn and share through this amazing resource.  Also, we use GoogleDoc walkthrough forms that are tailored to specific initiatives and help us provide immediate feedback to our staff as progress checks.  For example, we have “chunked” the learning on the PGES framework with our teachers and then use GoogleDoc walkthroughs aligned to the part of the framework being studied to give our teachers specific feedback.  It’s been a powerful model for rolling out the PGES framework!

I have worked with our principals and teachers to expand on-line learning resources as well.  We have leveraged on-line learning courseware and programming to help students at all levels in our school system to support both struggling students, as well as those who are meeting or exceeding our learning goals.  Programs like Odysseyware, Achieve 3000, Read 180/System 44, Carnegie Learning/Cognitive Tutor, Math Whizz are some examples of resources that have helped our students learn and allow for 24/7 anytime learning!  Other on-line programs like Edmodo, Wikispaces, and Facebook are being used with students and staff to facilitate engagement in learning and collaboration.  Remind 101 is an app staff are using to send text reminders to students, parents and staff to keep them up to date on important activities, dues dates, and assignments.

I have used both Edmodo and Wikispaces to facilitate staff development and to model the use of technology.  Twitter, Zite, and LinkIn are some tremendous resources for keeping abreast of educational news, innovations, and advancements.  Additionally, both KASA and KASS support online professional communities that I can use to learn from and share with other Kentucky superintendents.  Also, I utilize Lync for meetings and collaboration, especially with external partners across the state.  Finally, I have utilized Vimeo for online videos used for training and communication.

Finally, I use tools like Twitter, facebook, our website, OneCall Now and School Reach to communicate with a wide array of stakeholders.  These tools are effective in sharing best practices, student and staff successes, along with events in our schools and districts.  It also helps set the bar for excellence as I am constantly sharing examples of best practice in pictures, videos and words.  People love the pictures and videos!

How does being connected impact your practice? 

Achieving our vision and mission requires the efforts of many people.  All of the tools, structures, and systems in place allow me to be more intentional in leading, serving, and supporting our stakeholders in advancing our vision.  The tools and strategies I shared above help keep me in tune with what’s working, what’s not working, and possible solutions to help us continuously improve.  Again, it’s the people, not the programs that make the school and school system.  My ability to be in tune and engaged with what’s going on is critical to our success.  Using some of these tools allows me to expand my ability to understand and influence what’s going on.  It also lets people know that I am out and about being close and curious with what’s going on in our schools!  This enhances credibility and a level of accessibility that is beneficial.

How does being connected impact you as a professional?

The old adage that it is lonely at the top can be very true.  However, using the resources I have described allows me to connect with other superintendents across the state and nation.  Additionally, I can connect with educators all over the world!  I find it invigorating and empowering to have these connections.  It breaks down isolation and opens a realm of support, collaboration, resources, and learning that was once not possible.  The results we are attaining in Kentucky are not accidental.  Regardless of geographic location, all of us have access to the knowledge, skills, resources, and supports needed to help every child achieve college and/or career readiness by graduation.  We simply need to get connected, roll-up our sleeves and take it!

What advice or resources would you recommend to colleagues interested in becoming connected?

My best advice is just simply start doing something!  Dive in and learn!  For example, I didn’t understand how Twitter could help me as a superintendent.  Now that I started using it, I realize the power this tool has for communication, collaboration, and professional development!  Amazing!

Be intentional in leading and supporting school system stakeholders in becoming connected themselves.  Besides being a role model – remember that actions speak louder than words – plan and implement the systems, resources, structures, and logistics that bring people together…

Finally, have fun with it!  Learning is stimulating and often fun!  Take the challenge and learn something new that will allow you to be a more connected educator!  It will benefit you and the folks you serve!

Dr. Jim Flynn is in his 11th year as superintendent. During his tenure, Simpson County Schools has successfully implemented a common vision that focuses on empowering all students to graduate life ready – prepared socially and academically for college and/or careers. 

Dr. Flynn is the President of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents. The Kentucky General Assembly appointed him to serve on the Local Superintendents Advisory Committee. He also serves on the Superintendents Advisory Committee to the Commissioner of Education. 

Twitter handle, links to blog, website, etc: Twitter - @jflynnfswildcat; website – www.simpson.kyschools.us; facebook page – Simpson County Schools; LinkedIn – Jim Flynn, Ed.D.; Vimeo – James Flynn

Kentucky Connected Educator Day 10

 Ken Mattingly

 Rockcastle County Middle School
Rockcastle County Schools

In what way (s) are you a connected educator?

I have used internet resources for many years in my classroom.  Sometimes it may involve lessons I’ve found online, or learning simulations, or data I use with my students.  When I started teaching I had a room and a textbook, and I was pretty much constrained by that.  Now I have access to a wealth of information and am able to do a much better job engaging my students in the learning.

More recently, I’ve started to participate in chats on Twitter that focus on standards-based grading (which is something I’m very passionate about).  These chats, which involve following a Twitter conversation that includes a hashtag like #sbgchat, let me interact with people all over the country and the world.  I’m able to share my expertise and learn from others.  We share resources, blog posts, and methods for promoting standards-based grading.  There’s a Twitter chat for just about anything, and there are lots concerning education.  You can find a list of chats with times here.

Twitter chats and blogging allow me to expand my personal learning network or PLN.  There are lots of good ideas in my building, but if I can have access to people outside my building who are trying different things or have different experiences than I do, it can really leverage my practice.  

How does being connected impact your practice?  

Being connected gives me access to other experiences and ideas.  For example I’m currently working on using Edmodo with my classes.  There is always a learning curve with anything new, but instead of blindly trying Edmodo out I was able to get some guidance from my PLN.  People offered ideas on how they incorporated it into their classes, ways to use it for assessment, and others I wouldn’t have thought of, at least not initially.  This help puts me in a position to successfully use Edmodo, whereas otherwise I might find it so frustrating that I wouldn’t use it at all.

Now I also have an Edmodo group for my science department that we use for sharing information about and working on the NGSS standards.  This gets back at the heart of being a connected educator.  We don’t have to physically be present to have meaningful conversations and share our work.  This frees us up to communicate when and where it works best for us.

Likewise, sharing my work on standards-based grading on Twitter causes me to reflect on my practice.  Why do I do what I do?  How does it impact my students?  Is there a better way or room for improvement?  These questions cause me to be very intentional in my planning and evaluation.

How does being connected impact you as a professional?

Being a connected education helps me feel more like a professional.  Teachers are often called professionals, but are either not looked at as such or don’t think of themselves that way.  I view a true professional as someone who is serious and focused on their career.  A true professional strives to improve their practice and stay abreast of the current research.  A true professional knows that they can always get better at their career and that each day is another opportunity to do so.  Being connected helps me with all of these.  I’m able to keep my finger on the pulse of education through chats, blogs, and email updates.  It allows me to continually refine my craft and improve.

What advice or resources would you recommend to colleagues interested in becoming connected?

My first piece of advice would be to find one aspect of teaching that you are passionate about and search for a couple of good blogs on that subject.  There are many great teachers out there who blog about their experiences, and reading their blogs can really push your own thinking.  Secondly I’d recommend joining a Twitter chat.  They are very fast paced and can be overwhelming at first, but they are a wealth of information.  You may want to begin by just lurking and following the conversation.  After you feel more comfortable begin to offer your own thoughts on the questions being asked, and respond to others posts.  It’s a great way to find people to follow on Twitter and grow your PLN.  These two things will help you get your feet wet, and will in turn expose you to other resources and ways to be connected.

Ken Mattingly has 19 years of experience in sixth and seventh grades and holds National Board Certification in early adolescent science. He has worked on implementing classroom assessment for student learning practices in his classroom for the past eight years and helped with the implementation of standards-based grading in his school. During the past four years he has worked with multiple school districts across Kentucky to help develop a vision of balanced assessment, promote transparency in grading practices, and shift the teacher and student focus to the learning instead of the grade. 

Twitter:  @kenmattingly
Website:  kenmattingly.weebly.com
Blog:  kenmattingly.weebly.com/kens-blog.html

Kentucky Connected Educator Month Day 7

Patrick Goff

Beaumont Middle School

Fayette County

 

In what way (s) are you a connected educator? 

I am using Twitter to reach out to multiple educators and science experts around the globe to help me grow as a professional. I also use Edmodo as a blended learning environment in my classroom. My students use Edmodo as the backbone of the class and are able to access the material anywhere as long as they have wi-fi. Also on Edmodo, I am part of the science community giving me access to thousands of science educators that are also on Edmodo around the world. I also use Facebook as another social media platform to connect with professionals in education and science. Lastly, I use the Remind101 service to help “remind” students/parents of upcoming dates/times/interesting opportunities.

How does being connected impact your practice?

I have worked with teachers to help develop lab activities that I use in my room, bounced ideas off each other to help upgrade lessons, searched out new ideas and to try and help each other. Specifically, I was able to talk with a teacher in NY about an alternative energy activity for dealing with solar energy that helped a great deal. Through discussions with online teachers (twitter/Edmodo/facebook) I have changed how I have students complete their lab reports and have started encouraging my students to use their smart devices to capture images/video of their lab experiments. With that, they are embedding that in their Word documents or using Coaches Eye (app) to narrate what is happening in the lab.

How does being connected impact you as a professional?

It goes back to why reinvent the wheel? If we put our heads together we can make so much more than if we do it alone. Being connected buoys me on bad days and lets me celebrate when good things happen. I love being able to share ideas and ask questions of such a wide array of members (teachers, instructional coaches, principals and science experts). You can have those professional conversations and get so much more input from many more professionals. It is so nice to get help from many experts and just raises the bar everywhere.

What advice or resources would you recommend to colleagues interested in becoming connected?

Jump in!! Go for it!! No point to dip a toe, just cannonball into the pool. It will be an awesome experience. In the same breath, don't let it consume you. Pick and choose, but it is so worth it.

Patrick Goff is an 8th grade science teacher and department chair at Beaumont Middle School in Lexington, Kentucky.  He is National Board Certified.  Follow him on twitter

@BMSscienceteach.

Kentucky Connected Educator Month Day 3

Pam Rowland

7th grade Social Studies Teacher

Rowan County

In what way(s) are you a connected educator?

 

I am a connected educator because I am a lifelong learner. I choose to be connected to other  professionals through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Skype and many more platforms. The possibilities for PLC's are endless with technology. Being connected is an essential component of my career.

How does being connected impact your practice?

The past 3 years have been transformational for me as a classroom teacher. In 2011, I attended ISTE in Philadelphia. Being able to connect with other educators and follow-up with Twitter  was mind- boggling for me. This summer,  I was unable to attend ISTE and I joined a Twitter community #notatiste. I could not believe the valuable PD I gained simply from #notatiste. I also follow various ed tech #'s on Twitter and follow many educators on Facebook. Through Facebook, I connected with an Egyptologist and my class was able to Skype with her numerous times. It is simply amazing! My kids have connected with NASA, Yosemite National Park, Mystery Skypes, Serbia, London, etc. We are currently working on an Instagram /Skype Project with other schools in the world focusing on culture.

How does being connected impact you as an educator? 

The impact for me as a professional has been remarkable. I am able to gain so much more knowledge with 21st century platforms and all from the comforts of my home. The traditional PD has been debunked. I no longer feel isolated in my classroom. The world awaits you. I now connect with parents, students, and other professionals.

What advice or resources would you recommend to colleagues interested in becoming connected?

 

Start small.. try one tool and master it. Don't overwhelm yourself. It took me a few tries to really get into the Twitter community. Now, I'm hooked. For new teachers, the support is out there for you. Join all the communities you can find on Twitter, Facebook, Edmodo. Google, Skype in the Classroom, ISTE communities and so many more. Become a lifelong learner .......... our kids deserve it.

Pamela Rowland is a veteran teacher with 19 years of teaching experience. She is passionate about technology integration and has presented at numerous conferences: KYSTE, KEDC , IFL , KCSS and many other local professional development opportunities. Presentations included: QR Codes, Web 2.0 Tools, Writing 2.0, Digital Portfolios with Technology and Oh, the Places You Can Go With Web 2.0. She served on the Social Studies Standards Writing Committee in 2013 and the Literacy Design Collaborative- Gates Foundation Project in  2012-2013.