Happy Saturday, friends!! You made it to the end of the week! I’m writing to you today from my kitchen counter, feeling so glad to finally be home after a whirlwind week of speaking at seminars throughout the eastern part of the United States. When I say whirlwind, I really mean WHIRLWIND week! I flew from STL to Chicago and then to Rhode Island on Sunday, presented an all-day session in Providence then rode to Bristol, Connecticut. I presented an all-day session there on Tuesday, then hopped on a plane to Indy … we arrived super late Tuesday night – or super early Wednesday morning! – and I presented my session there. Then, I rode to Columbus, Ohio Wednesday night, and presented my session there on Thursday. Thursday afternoon, I rode to Cincinnati, delivered my presentation on using technology in the Social Studies classroom, rode to the airport, flew to STL where my husband and daughters picked me up for the ride home!
WHEW! What a week! I’ve been SO incredibly blessed by this opportunity and am absolutely ecstatic about the fact that I’ve been able to spend my spring break week sharing something I’m passionate about – using technology to enhance Social Studies instruction.
Check out the basics of what I shared this week …
- Using technology like Nearpod and Edpuzzle (along with their Chrome extensions) to enhance learning in the classroom
- Getting the most out of Google Classroom in the Social Studies classroom
- Time-saving tips for using Chrome including extensions, bookmarks, right-click options, and keyboard shortcuts
- Tips and tools for encouraging students to create representations of what they’ve learned
- Fun and effective formative assessment
- Strategies to easily implement effective assessment capable learning practices
- Tools and resources for using and creating BreakoutEDU activities for your classroom
It. Was. AWESOME!
I’m so fortunate to have been able to share these presentations with so many amazing educators, and I can’t wait to do it again! Even though I’m absolutely exhausted, I feel rejuvenated at the same time to go back into my classroom on Monday and try to continue designing an engaging learning environment for my students. Being with these great educators helped me remember my “why” for becoming a teacher. It’s not the money or the fame – we all know that, though – ha! It’s because I want to have a positive impact on the future through each of my students. Here’s a quick video that I share at the end of my presentations to help teachers remember their “why” and also see why knowing their “why” (sorry for the “why” redundancy!) is so important.
As you’re watching this video, pay attention to how the people around the man singing respond when he knows his “why.” Look at the impact he has on those around him when he knows and feels his “why.” How awesome is that?! When we know and remember why we do what we do, we have a greater impact on those we serve, whatever our path.
What’s your why?
Thanks for reading 🙂
Love this! It is so easy to forget the “why” and start going through the motions. But the “why” is so important and gives so much clarity on your purpose! So proud of your accomplishments and thanks for sharing!