Oh What's In Store For Me!

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I am close to counting the days until my FIRST NECC experience. I am a relative newbie to all of this. In the last year I have been introduced to social networking via a district technology seminar. Since that time I have had my eyes opened to more ideas, links, and connections to experts who have similar interests as I. I do believe it has been somewhat of a metamorphasis. I thing differently, I teach differently, I AM different. I have at my fingertips (literally) the ability to network with professionals around the world. Before this, I might have wondered to myself how I could add to a lesson plan…now, I send my message within 140 characters or turn on my iSight camera and have input instantly coming throughout the globe. How amazing is that? I have gathered so many resources during this time that I had to start a Wiki to keep track of my new bag of tricks. The end result of my Wiki endeavor was to teach my first district staff development class. After this, I had the confidence to join the Discovery Educator Network (DEN). Do you see a pattern? Inspire and more will come! How does this lead my path to NECC in DC? I feel a common bond to many of the people in my PLN (Professional Learning Network) and have a desire to meet as many as possible. I want to personally thank them for making me a new and improved educator. So there you have it (more than 140 characters!)

See you at NECC!

Some of my favorite things

After a great visit to Omaha today I started to think about what make me happy. I am actually fairly easy to please!
So, I thought I would start making a list of my favorite things. Some are tangible, some not...definitely no particular order either!

• Fast internet connections - duh!
• Hot popcorn
• "Drive-by" kisses by one of my dogs passing by
• Quiet weekend mornings with the windows open and a nice breeze coming through
• Free educational websites/downloads
• My PLN (if you don't know what this is you are probably not in it!)
• Cookie dough
• Large family dinners with lots of laughing and random singing
• Husker sports
• Hot Tamale candies
• Control of the remote when everyone is gone
• Most any show on HGTV
• Short and concise emails
• Excitement of an experiment that works
• Fully charged electronics

These are but a few of my favorite things. I would imagine I will add to the list in the future.

The Grammies

Today we went to Omaha to visit family. We had a great visit with my mother-in-law (left) and her sister (right). What a great day!

NETA Reflections

I have just come back from NETA 2009. The Nebraska Educational Technology Association convention. Over 2000 educators met just outside of Omaha to increase our personal learning and networking.

One of my main impressions is that it does not matter the size of your school or district to be innovative in the classroom. One of the presenters was from a one room school house! Yet, she was an innovator with technology.
I think it is amazing that people are so unselfish that they would basically give away their plans to perfect strangers. I know how much time it takes to prepare lessons.
It was great to meet keynote presenters such as Hall Davidson, Tammy Worcestor, and Stephanie Hamilton.
I also met many of my Twitter friends. It was nice see the faces behind the posts!
Now I am sifting through all of my session websites and literature.
I came away with so many ideas that I can't sleep!

My tangled life

Life these days has become a tangle of commitments and obligations. I am having to temporarily make changes to cover all bases. Am I okay with this? Yes. Why you might ask? Because a very good friend of mine once said: "If you are going to put your name to something, then do it so your name is not tarnished".
When something is important or feels that it will have impact in the end there is more of a chance you can squeeze it into your busy life.
My activities include committees at school, synagogue, and in the community. I am also in the infancy of a federal grant program in the area of science.
As I review my list I have begun to wonder what others do beyond their scheduled work day. Do you volunteer? Have second (or third) jobs? Do you care for a family member in need?
What is it that makes you, you?
Help me to know I am not an island unto my self of having trouble saying no to worthy endeavors!