Born to Tech

I seem to have hit the ground running this year! No time to stop and think about things. After a busy summer with BVEA/VEA/NEA, I am happy to be back in school using what I learned this summer. I've started a new webpage. It is a work in progress, but the plan is to have activities and websites that will help our elementary students achieve success on the Virginia Computer/Technology Standards of Learning. Please visit my page, Born to Tech.

Preserve VRS

Preserve the defined benefit plan, a traditional pension, for VEA members.

Check out this article: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/25/why-young-workers-want-a-good-old-fashioned-pension

A Busy March

Just got back over the weekend from Virginia Beach! I attended the Virginia State Reading Conference where I presented several sessions in the area of Technology and Reading. We experienced some technical difficulties but had plans B and C to help us survive. I saw some nice weather and some rain. I reconnected with old friends and made new ones and we experienced some trauma at our hotel. All in all it was a great conference.

Coming up at school, I will be conducting some after-school training. On the 22nd, come to VP for Creating/Updating your Webpage. On the 25th, I will be at SJ where we will be creating Blogs. Keep in mind that your webpage is static and can only be added to by you. Should you choose to create a blog, you will have interaction with parents, students, and your colleagues. Sign up on the portal if you wish to attend OR just show up :-)

That's all for now. I have to work on a video project and then will finish the day with the Washington Lee Tech Team!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

2010

I don't know where the time has gone. It seems like school just started and here it is January of 2010!! Our teachers have been busy this school year with our new student information system. I think we are beginning to feel more comfortable with the program.

We are now looking ahead to SOL testing and getting lots of instructional review done for the students. I have websites, TurningPoint and Notebook activities and more available.

Tech Teams are active in all 4 elementary schools this year! I am excited about what the students are learning and how responsible they are becoming. Fourth Graders involved in Tech Team will have the opportunity to come to Summer Technology Camp. More information about that will be coming soon.

Take care and have fun in the snow this weekend!!

Middle of September Already???

I have been so busy with eSchoolData and other beginning of the year issues that I've not been on here in weeks. So much for my new school year resolution to blog regularly. We are in the midst of Gradebook training right now and I have decided that will be ongoing training. Tech Team organizational meetings will begin next week so that we are ready to begin on October 1st.

On a personal note, thank you all for remembering my dad in your thoughts and prayers. You all have been so kind and it means so much to me when you ask how he is doing. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and colleagues.

Check back as I really am going to keep up with this beginning TODAY!!!

Pirates' Cove: Claymation Camp

Our first, hopefully annual, Claymation Camp is coming to a close today. We have had four action packed, fun filled days here at Washington Lee working with rising fifth graders. They have created videos using claymation techniques. They have also learned how to create tables in MS Word, draw in MS Paint, use digital cameras, and make a video using MS Movie Maker or Frames. Please check out our blog at http://claycamp.edublogs.org.

eSchool Data training begins on Monday so summer is about over for most of us. Hope its been a good one for you and yours.

iAcademy 2009

I am busy preparing for the iAcademy and am so excited about what we are going to be doing this year. We are moving ahead with our blogs and jumping into podcasting in a BIG way!! I hope everyone else is as excited as I am as we get ready for Monday!!