2012 In Review...A Year of a Lot of FIRSTS
1. Finished my first year of contracted teaching. I was very lucky to have secured an internship for my student teaching in 2010, that led into a long term sub position, and finally a full time position at the high school the following year. My first year definitely was a roller coaster, but it's going to be hard to top a FANTASTIC 2012.
2. Studio G visited my classroom to create a marketing video for Google. This was a once in a lifetime experience! I was contacted by a Studio G producer to discuss how I use Google Forms in a unique way to get to know and develop relationships with my students. In April, they left Mountain View, CA and came to Wales, WI for a week to develop a story line and get the video that they needed. This was an incredible experience and I was right on the front line of all of it. We spent time before school, prep periods, lunch, study hall duty, and after school, working out all of the details and story line. The video went live and was released in August, before the start of the school year. It's going to be hard to top this! The best part of this, is how many people have seen it and how it has not only impacted my students, but students all over the world. I was told by one of my students that I had created a "Google Forms Revolution" as many of their teachers were using forms at the beginning of the next school year.
3. Coached my second Varsity Softball Season. We maintained our expectations and finished 3rd out of 6 teams in conference for the second year of our program. It will be great to see what 2013 brings.
4. Taught Google Apps for Education for Summer Academy. I can't think of a better opportunity to get to know Google Apps while getting paid. Students first learned which apps were available and what their capabilities were, and then their task was to start a business or plan a trip with the most relevant Google Apps. They then presented and shared their work with me at the end of the course. I can't wait to teach even more this summer :).
5. Became a "Google Qualified Individual." Much of my time this summer was spent reading through the Google Apps for Education Training Module and taking the tests required to become a Google Certified Trainer. This led to a lot of personal and professional growth.
6. Started a relationship with my Nexus 7. I had never been one to be up and in on the latest technology, but I preordered my first toy (Nexus 7) and enjoyed getting to know how to use it. It's al lot easier carrying that around instead of my laptop.
7. Attended my first EdCamp-EdCamp Oshkosh. What I didn't realize was the Professional Development Revolution that EdCamp Oshkosh started for me. Later in the year, I traveled to EdCamp Chicago, and got a last minute invitation to EdCampMSP. At EdCampMSP I finally was confident enough to propose my first session on "Blogging."
8. Began a lifelong relationship with Twitter. It wasn't until EdCamp Oshkosh that I figured out what Twitter was, and how to use it from: Shawn McCusker. At the end of the year, 400 tweets later, 130 following, and 70 followers, I have begun to realize the power of connected educators. I have also had the opportunity to participate in #edchat. My favorite is the #1to1techat on Wednesday nights. I have gotten some incredible ideas that I have been able to try out in class the following day (Thursdays).
9. I established and continue to build my PLN. My PLN that I have established has been a much needed refreshment outside of the normal school day. The conversations that I participate in recharge my battery for the school week, and I am connected with some of the best educators around.
10. Participated in my first Google Hangout. I was very excited to go back to school to share with my coworkers, that I finally had someone to Hangout with! I took advantage of Google's EduOnAir opportunity and participated in three Hangouts.
11. On World Teachers' Day I was mentioned in the Official Google Blog.
12. Built two websites that went live on the District Website. One website was for my science classroom, and the other is for our National Honor Society group that I am co-advisor of.
13. Attended a Flipped Classroom Workshop. I had been interested in flipping my classroom and had the opportunity to attend a workshop in IL this December. I got a lot of great ideas and just need more time to be able to implement them.
14. Taught Technology PD for the district. I have helped with some of the Google Apps training, as well put on my own PD session on Chrome Apps for Struggling Students. I look forward to doing more in the future!
15. Started my own blog and student blogs in the classroom. My blog has become an excellent reflective work space as I move forward with some of my professional goals. My students seem to have enjoyed blogging in my physical science classroom as well.
I look really forward to the opportunities that 2013 will bring. This is only a fraction of the opportunities that I had in 2012. I cannot believe how I have grown exponentially both professionally and personally through my PLN and the PD opportunities that I have taken advantage of this year. I couldn't have done it without my incredible PLN! Thank you all for the inspiration and learning opportunities that you have provided me with!
2. Studio G visited my classroom to create a marketing video for Google. This was a once in a lifetime experience! I was contacted by a Studio G producer to discuss how I use Google Forms in a unique way to get to know and develop relationships with my students. In April, they left Mountain View, CA and came to Wales, WI for a week to develop a story line and get the video that they needed. This was an incredible experience and I was right on the front line of all of it. We spent time before school, prep periods, lunch, study hall duty, and after school, working out all of the details and story line. The video went live and was released in August, before the start of the school year. It's going to be hard to top this! The best part of this, is how many people have seen it and how it has not only impacted my students, but students all over the world. I was told by one of my students that I had created a "Google Forms Revolution" as many of their teachers were using forms at the beginning of the next school year.
3. Coached my second Varsity Softball Season. We maintained our expectations and finished 3rd out of 6 teams in conference for the second year of our program. It will be great to see what 2013 brings.
4. Taught Google Apps for Education for Summer Academy. I can't think of a better opportunity to get to know Google Apps while getting paid. Students first learned which apps were available and what their capabilities were, and then their task was to start a business or plan a trip with the most relevant Google Apps. They then presented and shared their work with me at the end of the course. I can't wait to teach even more this summer :).
5. Became a "Google Qualified Individual." Much of my time this summer was spent reading through the Google Apps for Education Training Module and taking the tests required to become a Google Certified Trainer. This led to a lot of personal and professional growth.
6. Started a relationship with my Nexus 7. I had never been one to be up and in on the latest technology, but I preordered my first toy (Nexus 7) and enjoyed getting to know how to use it. It's al lot easier carrying that around instead of my laptop.
7. Attended my first EdCamp-EdCamp Oshkosh. What I didn't realize was the Professional Development Revolution that EdCamp Oshkosh started for me. Later in the year, I traveled to EdCamp Chicago, and got a last minute invitation to EdCampMSP. At EdCampMSP I finally was confident enough to propose my first session on "Blogging."
8. Began a lifelong relationship with Twitter. It wasn't until EdCamp Oshkosh that I figured out what Twitter was, and how to use it from: Shawn McCusker. At the end of the year, 400 tweets later, 130 following, and 70 followers, I have begun to realize the power of connected educators. I have also had the opportunity to participate in #edchat. My favorite is the #1to1techat on Wednesday nights. I have gotten some incredible ideas that I have been able to try out in class the following day (Thursdays).
9. I established and continue to build my PLN. My PLN that I have established has been a much needed refreshment outside of the normal school day. The conversations that I participate in recharge my battery for the school week, and I am connected with some of the best educators around.
10. Participated in my first Google Hangout. I was very excited to go back to school to share with my coworkers, that I finally had someone to Hangout with! I took advantage of Google's EduOnAir opportunity and participated in three Hangouts.
11. On World Teachers' Day I was mentioned in the Official Google Blog.
12. Built two websites that went live on the District Website. One website was for my science classroom, and the other is for our National Honor Society group that I am co-advisor of.
13. Attended a Flipped Classroom Workshop. I had been interested in flipping my classroom and had the opportunity to attend a workshop in IL this December. I got a lot of great ideas and just need more time to be able to implement them.
14. Taught Technology PD for the district. I have helped with some of the Google Apps training, as well put on my own PD session on Chrome Apps for Struggling Students. I look forward to doing more in the future!
15. Started my own blog and student blogs in the classroom. My blog has become an excellent reflective work space as I move forward with some of my professional goals. My students seem to have enjoyed blogging in my physical science classroom as well.
I look really forward to the opportunities that 2013 will bring. This is only a fraction of the opportunities that I had in 2012. I cannot believe how I have grown exponentially both professionally and personally through my PLN and the PD opportunities that I have taken advantage of this year. I couldn't have done it without my incredible PLN! Thank you all for the inspiration and learning opportunities that you have provided me with!
.JPG)
Comments
Post a Comment