Leadership with Focus (…and Not Doing ALL the Things)
Let’s talk about leadership and focus—because if I’ve learned anything in 30+ years in the education sector, it’s that being a leader is not about doing ALL the things! It just can’t be done (even though we all secretly want to sometimes.) It is HARD to delegate. It’s HARD to relinquish control. It’s HARD to […]
Edtech On Deck: Connecting with Teachers In Innovative Ways
Hi there! I’ve been having a blast in the past few years with my Edtech on Deck (#EdtechOnDeck) appreciation days. These aren’t your typical, sit-down-and-learn PD sessions—far from it! I’m all about setting up small, themed stations in the faculty lunchroom and bringing some light-hearted joy to teachers’ busy days. It’s my way of staying […]
Administrators: Protect that Precious Edtech Specialist Role. Here’s Why:
Alright, let’s have a heart-to-heart about something that’s really been bugging me lately. As an edtech specialist, I’ve noticed a trend that’s got me a bit worried, and I think it’s time we address it head-on.
I want to talk about what we do, how we specialize, and why it’s important to protect the […]
🔑 Recognizing Excellence is Key 🔑
Some employees consistently go above and beyond. They’re the ones always doing “more”, and they’re known for it. 🚀
It is absolutely crucial to celebrate these high achievers, those who are known for being “extra” and always passionate about their craft, their work, and their expertise.❗️
When they’re well known even OUTSIDE your organization, they clearly deserv INTERNAL […]
Why & How Did I Create the Educational Technology Specialist Role for my School District ?
I saw a need in our district. A big need. A desperate need.
Whenever I teach people about how to become leaders, my mantra is always “fill the gap”, so I took my own advice in the biggest way I ever have in my career. I dove forward with gusto and figured out a way to […]
5 Insights & Tips To Become A Better Presenter
As someone who has taken the stage for hundreds of presentations over the years, I’ve recently had a few people ask for my best tips on effective public speaking. This prompted me to view a handful of presentations I’ve attended in the past few weeks through an even more critical lens – really […]
Let It Go: Leadership Lessons Learned
In any profession, effective leadership is crucial for driving innovation and achieving project success. As a team leader, I know that I play a pivotal role in steering the ship. However, one common struggle among many leaders is the reluctance to delegate tasks, fearing that the final product may not match what we envision at […]
Pursuing Certifications? C’mon…Lead and Learn Authentically
In one of my Facebook groups, someone recently posted , “I will be starting the processes to get the Google Educator certification Level 1. Any advice, tips, guidance that any of you can provide will be greatly appreciated.” As someone who just took and passed a few of the Google certifications, I was interested to […]
Five Fabulous Things That You Might Not Know About Novel Effect
If you’re an educator looking to make storytime more engaging and interactive for your students, then Novel Effect is the perfect tool for you. Novel Effect is an innovative edtech platform that uses voice recognition technology to enhance storytelling by adding sound effects, music, and character voices to the reading experience. This immersive audio experience […]
Project-Based Learning with a Cherry On Top…it’s Tract!
I recently learned about a new website called Tract, and I am excited….I’m really, REALLY excited! Curious about the name, I looked up the word Tract and found this definition:
Tract: an area of indefinite extent, typically a large one.
Oooh, that sounds like a fun place where I’d want to play and […]
Learning In The Loo – Where It All Began
I stated this fun little edtech toilet training trend called “Learning in the Loo” many years ago. Back in 2004-2008, I taught 5th grade Social Studies. I started creating these Learning in the Loo posters for my students as a kind of study guide before our big benchmark tests. As you can imagine, […]
Daily To-Do with OneNote
I looooveee being organized and continue to try to out-do myself in ways that make me most efficient, structured, mindful, and functional. Do you know what I mean? How do you organize your to-do list and all the related tasks associated with it? How do you schedule yourself and make sure that all the things […]