I have become sick and tired of hearing about Alex Rodriquez in the news. I'm an avid sports fan and I realize this is big news but enough is enough. Why should we give so much attention to a person that is a liar and cheater, yet says he wants to be a role model, good things to model A-Rod. In my opinion he is the most self absorbed athlete on the planet. The reason he holds a press conference daily is he loves the attention. The reason he cheated was to break records, since he had enough talent to play major league baseball for a long time. He need look no further than the mirror to find the person to blame for this, of course that will never happen. Then for him to say that players want to get rid of PED's, when he doesn't and he will continue to use them in fact I am wondering if he was ever clean. He doesn't love the game, he loves himself.
Then I think of the testing going on in our country, and it was reported that there had been cheating in 33 states. People lost their jobs, educators were ridiculed in public, school districts were shamed it had happened. When the pressure to attain a certain score or the evaluation of teachers became solely dependent on how they did on a three day battery of tests, it is little wonder this has happened. These people are fighting for their jobs and careers. The pressure has been put on them from outside, namely politicians that have no idea what being a teacher on a daily basis is. So little of being a teacher is centered around testing, they are caretakers of children, advisors of youth, and overall great people to be around.
Maybe both incidents are cheating, but one I understand and one I don't. When you consider an educator makes in a year what A-Rod makes in day, yes they are fighting for their lives. A-Rod is fighting for people to love him. Given the choice of spending a day with a teacher or Alex Rodriquez, I'll choose the teacher every time.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Maybe I Rushed to Judgment?
I'm a small town guy always have and always will be. I just like the atmosphere of a small town and thats how I grew up. In my home county there is not one stop light in the entire county and where I currently live there is not a stop light, I love that. Now I do live seven miles north of a city that has state university but even when college is in session the population is only 25,000.
That's why ISTE was a bit overwhelming for me and I posted that in a previous blog. I also stated that I was glad I went but doubted would ever go again, because it was just so big. I think maybe my opinion may have been a bit premature. I rushed to judgment, not a good thing.
As I have been able to reflect on my experience and read others reflections, what a great time I had. The thing I really enjoyed was getting to meet so many people I consider "Rock Stars" in the education world. Seeing many old friends and meeting new ones was special, after all we are in the people business and its the relationships we develop that makes this such a rewarding profession, whether its with students, staff, or online friends.
So I am re-evaluating my decision about ever attending again. I doubt I make it to Atlanta but hope the one after that is within driving distance of Kansas. I don't fly so distance is an issue, the clinical name for it is called "I'm a coward." See you at some other point in time.
That's why ISTE was a bit overwhelming for me and I posted that in a previous blog. I also stated that I was glad I went but doubted would ever go again, because it was just so big. I think maybe my opinion may have been a bit premature. I rushed to judgment, not a good thing.
As I have been able to reflect on my experience and read others reflections, what a great time I had. The thing I really enjoyed was getting to meet so many people I consider "Rock Stars" in the education world. Seeing many old friends and meeting new ones was special, after all we are in the people business and its the relationships we develop that makes this such a rewarding profession, whether its with students, staff, or online friends.
So I am re-evaluating my decision about ever attending again. I doubt I make it to Atlanta but hope the one after that is within driving distance of Kansas. I don't fly so distance is an issue, the clinical name for it is called "I'm a coward." See you at some other point in time.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Never Again
In my previous posts I have let people know my age (which isn't young) or referenced how I wish I had discovered twitter earlier in my educational career (which is still true). I have also used the phrase at the end of my career. Sounds like I'm using age as an excuse, and I guess that would be the case.
While at ISTE this past June I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of men I greatly admire from reading their blogs. Both are in the same age range as myself, and I eluded to my age and how I wish I'd started this at a younger age. One of the gentlemen then stated, "you're never to old to make a difference in the life of a kid." I will never forget that statement, as long as I live, if I'd been hit in the face with a sledgehammer it wouldn't have knocked me back any more. What a powerful statement at least for me.
So here is my charge, the district I'm in charge of leading might need to tape their ankles because we are "going to make a difference in the lives of our kids." It matters not how close I am or am not to the end of my career I will take the approach I have an infinite number of years left in this business. From this day forward I will NEVER AGAIN use age or length of time in education as any kind of excuse for anything. Twitter and the connections I've made have invigorated me and my career no matter what stage of it I'm in.
By the way does anyone want to come and mow the yard of an old guy?
While at ISTE this past June I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of men I greatly admire from reading their blogs. Both are in the same age range as myself, and I eluded to my age and how I wish I'd started this at a younger age. One of the gentlemen then stated, "you're never to old to make a difference in the life of a kid." I will never forget that statement, as long as I live, if I'd been hit in the face with a sledgehammer it wouldn't have knocked me back any more. What a powerful statement at least for me.
So here is my charge, the district I'm in charge of leading might need to tape their ankles because we are "going to make a difference in the lives of our kids." It matters not how close I am or am not to the end of my career I will take the approach I have an infinite number of years left in this business. From this day forward I will NEVER AGAIN use age or length of time in education as any kind of excuse for anything. Twitter and the connections I've made have invigorated me and my career no matter what stage of it I'm in.
By the way does anyone want to come and mow the yard of an old guy?
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Well It Happened
Well Google Reader finally went away. I'm very disappointed in this happening and posted several tweets going from begging to just being mad at Google. I loved reader and have chosen Digg as its replacement but doubt if any will really take its place.
The frustrating part for me is we are becoming a GAFE school for the fall, we are rolling out Chromebooks to all our high school students this year and are very excited about the opportunities this presents. But I have to wonder what Google will pull the plug on next and how will it effect our decision. If Google didn't get the message from the enormous amount of tweets how people felt about Reader, then what makes me believe they will stay with all their education apps?
We are a small school and I know we can't compete with corporate America, but please Google don't make me regret going with GAFE, as I really do love your products and what you do. Then again I loved Reader, too, and now its dead and gone.
The frustrating part for me is we are becoming a GAFE school for the fall, we are rolling out Chromebooks to all our high school students this year and are very excited about the opportunities this presents. But I have to wonder what Google will pull the plug on next and how will it effect our decision. If Google didn't get the message from the enormous amount of tweets how people felt about Reader, then what makes me believe they will stay with all their education apps?
We are a small school and I know we can't compete with corporate America, but please Google don't make me regret going with GAFE, as I really do love your products and what you do. Then again I loved Reader, too, and now its dead and gone.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Its Been A While
It has been a long time since I've written and have decided to give this blogging thing another go. I used to feel guilty if I didn't write, like it was an obligation, instead of merely reflecting. I also thought I had to write a full paper like I was back in high school, I have since realized that length matters not, it is the content of the post that matters.
I would like to say that the inspiration to again blog came from a visit from my friend George Couros @gcouros, at the recent ISTE convention. We met at a Starbucks and were able to visit for over an hour one-on-one, which I enjoyed very much. It took us several times to connect, since I rode a public transit bus for over an hour, and missed our first appointment, but we got it done and had a great discussion. I value his insight as both an educator and friend.
My first ISTE in a word was OVERWHELMING! There is just so much and in no way can one do it all. I'm very happy I went, and have a chance to meet many of the people on twitter that I've followed since I started the journey. The discussions with them was very valuable, after all we are in the people business and its relationships with people that make this profession so incredible. The technology is nice but the people are the reason we do what we do. Glad I went but not sure I'll ever go again, of course that opinion is subject to change.
So I hope you will welcome me back, have many new ideas for our staff and launching a 1:1 initiative at our high school. I promise not to guilt myself or pressure myself to write blogs that I could turn in for a grade.
I would like to say that the inspiration to again blog came from a visit from my friend George Couros @gcouros, at the recent ISTE convention. We met at a Starbucks and were able to visit for over an hour one-on-one, which I enjoyed very much. It took us several times to connect, since I rode a public transit bus for over an hour, and missed our first appointment, but we got it done and had a great discussion. I value his insight as both an educator and friend.
My first ISTE in a word was OVERWHELMING! There is just so much and in no way can one do it all. I'm very happy I went, and have a chance to meet many of the people on twitter that I've followed since I started the journey. The discussions with them was very valuable, after all we are in the people business and its relationships with people that make this profession so incredible. The technology is nice but the people are the reason we do what we do. Glad I went but not sure I'll ever go again, of course that opinion is subject to change.
So I hope you will welcome me back, have many new ideas for our staff and launching a 1:1 initiative at our high school. I promise not to guilt myself or pressure myself to write blogs that I could turn in for a grade.
Monday, February 25, 2013
I Have to Know Me
Every time I make a promise to myself that I'm going to blog more regularly, I end up breaking that promise. I guess I should make it a New Year Resolution so I won't feel so guilty about not posting, since we break our resolutions anyway. The truth is I enjoy reading what others write more than what I write. There are some great educational minds out there.
As with most superintendents I am watching closely our state legislature and for whatever reason we have been declared public enemy #1. Why the disdain for the education field is a mystery to me, but we are partly to blame, since in my opinion, educators are politically apathetic and will continue to let politicians be our policy makers, which is a very scary thought. They are taking up some very important topics this session, lap dances, basketball scheduling, and trying to figure out how we can not follow federal laws and guidelines.
By the way if Congress is so worried about the budget cuts that are going to happen this Friday, why did they take last week off for vacations.
Maybe this needs to be my new approach to blogging, instead of worrying about writing a dissertation maybe I should just focus on a couple of items and just write on them. Ok now I'm renewing my promise to blog more often.
As with most superintendents I am watching closely our state legislature and for whatever reason we have been declared public enemy #1. Why the disdain for the education field is a mystery to me, but we are partly to blame, since in my opinion, educators are politically apathetic and will continue to let politicians be our policy makers, which is a very scary thought. They are taking up some very important topics this session, lap dances, basketball scheduling, and trying to figure out how we can not follow federal laws and guidelines.
By the way if Congress is so worried about the budget cuts that are going to happen this Friday, why did they take last week off for vacations.
Maybe this needs to be my new approach to blogging, instead of worrying about writing a dissertation maybe I should just focus on a couple of items and just write on them. Ok now I'm renewing my promise to blog more often.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
They Love Us, Too
We are in education because we love the kids, at least thats the concept I have always thought to be the truth. If its not the truth maybe one should pick a different profession, since kids are the very essence of our business.
I will be making a presentation at the USA convention in Wichita, Kansas, on web tools of education. I have no creative ability whatsoever, and wanted to have a nice audio visual show for the audience. I turned to our Advanced Technology Class, a couple of weeks ago, at the high school in which I am Superintendent. Here was the assignment: Create a presentation for me using either Prezi or SlideRocket. I then provided them the content for the presentation. Ten of the twelve students in the class volunteered to help with the presentation
I have made Prezi's before but once again, not being creative, I didn't take advantage of all it has to offer, the students chose to use SlideRocket, which was fine with me. Their teacher said they worked in groups with each taking a different area of the presentation. After about a week they asked me over to view what they had done, we made some additions and changed some things and back to work they went. About a week ago, I viewed the final product and was very impressed with what they had put together for me, now I have a quality presentation.
Then it smacked me in the face, not only do we love the kids but they love us, too. When we give them the opportunity to help us or do tasks for us they jump at the chance because they love us, too. They are a great resource that we, as adults, need to take advantage of not even to mention that we can learn from them, and they love to teach us. I now have a resource that I didn't previously have and they are so comfortable using tools that anytime I have a question or need help I know where I'm heading.
By the way they also taught me how to use SlideRocket, since I never had before. We have a PD coming up the first of February, and the students are going to present to our faculty how to use SlideRocket, and all I'm out is some pizza for them. My real motivation is to show the staff that they need to use the resource we got in the business for in the first place.
I will be making a presentation at the USA convention in Wichita, Kansas, on web tools of education. I have no creative ability whatsoever, and wanted to have a nice audio visual show for the audience. I turned to our Advanced Technology Class, a couple of weeks ago, at the high school in which I am Superintendent. Here was the assignment: Create a presentation for me using either Prezi or SlideRocket. I then provided them the content for the presentation. Ten of the twelve students in the class volunteered to help with the presentation
I have made Prezi's before but once again, not being creative, I didn't take advantage of all it has to offer, the students chose to use SlideRocket, which was fine with me. Their teacher said they worked in groups with each taking a different area of the presentation. After about a week they asked me over to view what they had done, we made some additions and changed some things and back to work they went. About a week ago, I viewed the final product and was very impressed with what they had put together for me, now I have a quality presentation.
Then it smacked me in the face, not only do we love the kids but they love us, too. When we give them the opportunity to help us or do tasks for us they jump at the chance because they love us, too. They are a great resource that we, as adults, need to take advantage of not even to mention that we can learn from them, and they love to teach us. I now have a resource that I didn't previously have and they are so comfortable using tools that anytime I have a question or need help I know where I'm heading.
By the way they also taught me how to use SlideRocket, since I never had before. We have a PD coming up the first of February, and the students are going to present to our faculty how to use SlideRocket, and all I'm out is some pizza for them. My real motivation is to show the staff that they need to use the resource we got in the business for in the first place.
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