Sunday, March 20, 2011
11 days
I am officially 11 days from graduating with my Master's Degree in Education Media Design and Technology. 11 days!!! Looking back on the last year, it's been a bit blurry. I realize that I took in a huge amount of information in the last year, and it's going to take me some time to sort it all out. I give my final presentation tomorrow night, and don't really feel nervous...yet. I am sure I will get nervous tomorrow, but I don't think there's anything to get nervous for. Oh who knows...
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Week 4: Frameworks
In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "...the dream of a land where every man will respect the dignity and worth of human personality." As a teacher in the great state of Wisconsin, right now I don't feel that my dignity and human worth are being appreciated or respected. So in the spirit of Dr. King, 100,000 plus people assembled this past Saturday in Madison to be sure that the governor of our state understands how much we dislike his 'dis' to state employee unions. As Zander says "The 'leader of possibility' invigorates the lines of affiliation and compassion from person to person, in the face of the tyranny of fear. Anyone of us can exercise this kind of leadership whether we stand in the position of CEO or employee, citizen or elected official, teacher or student, friend or lover."
So, collectively, 100,000 people stood at or near the capital building in Madison to be the leader of possibility. All 100,000 of those people being their own leader of possibility.
I've been the person, in the past, to think I won't write to the senators or legislators, someone else will do it and voice my opinion on the matter. Well, that time has passed. I've realized that I create my own destiny and I am my own leader. This makes me want to stand up for what I believe in.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Week 4 Publishing and Leadership
Well, after much deliberation last week and right up until WIMBA on Tuesday, I decided to stick with presenting. To be honest, I am nervous as all get out that I might be chosen to present. I would like to share my research with my peers, but the thought of being the expert on the topic at a conference terrifies me to the core. I've decided to go forth and submit my presentation to WEAC (Wisconsin Education Association Council) for the state teachers convention in October. For many reasons, this makes the most sense to be, but ultimately, it boils down to three things: 1. These are my peers, 2. It's close to home and travel wouldn't be difficult and 3. I can make a difference in my ownstate and for possibly for my own future students.
This is the link to my final project:
files.me.com/ashike/
Post #1: Initial thoughts:
http://4shikes.blogspot.com/2011/02/week-3-publishing-and-leadership.html
Post #2: Some confusion about the project, leads me to rethink my options.
http://4shikes.blogspot.com/2011/02/thinking-about-presenting.html
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Beyond the #$%^ It.
All right, I have to laugh, this was really the last thing I expected to find in this book, although really it makes sense. I've been at that point in my life, and thankfully, like the cellist in the book, it worked to my advantage.
I had spent the previous 4 years working in a building as a building substitute. I worked everyday in the same building and when I was needed in a classroom, I was in. When I wasn't needed, I worked with small groups of students in all the grades. The problem was, I made minimal money and had no benefits or contract. The last year I was in that position, I was asked to be a second teacher in a third grade SAGE classroom that was seriously over "capacity." I should have been given a contract like a regular teacher, or at the least been considered a long term sub, but I wasn't. The administration had interviewed me a few times for various positions, but I was always passed up for the job. I was too good at what I was doing as a building sub. It was disheartening.
I was on vacation that summer with my family in Vail, CO. We were visiting my brother out there for the first time. It's beautiful out there. I had been applying to various districts around where we lived and we were in the middle of a serious hunt for our first house. I got a call from a principal in Kenosha for an interview, she wanted me in the next day and I was 1200 miles away. She offered me a phone interview and I took it. I was BTFI. I went for it and put it all out on the line. She thanked me and asked if I'd be available the next morning for a second interview. I figured, what the hell? Why not, I've gone this far. So I had the second interview and we took the day to drive up the mountain. My phone had no signal, so I couldn't have taken the call if she called to turn me down. We returned and my husband and I went with my two brothers to have a drink together. My phone beeped in my pocket and I knew this was my call. It was my answer.
I listened to the voice mail and there was the principal, offering me A JOB!!! My first real classroom and first real position. Not that what I was doing before wasn't real, but this was a classroom. four years in the waiting and I finally had what I want.
Going beyond the #$%^ it was worth it. It gave me the job I wanted, and my husband and I bought our house in Kenosha. It's all been uphill from there.
I had spent the previous 4 years working in a building as a building substitute. I worked everyday in the same building and when I was needed in a classroom, I was in. When I wasn't needed, I worked with small groups of students in all the grades. The problem was, I made minimal money and had no benefits or contract. The last year I was in that position, I was asked to be a second teacher in a third grade SAGE classroom that was seriously over "capacity." I should have been given a contract like a regular teacher, or at the least been considered a long term sub, but I wasn't. The administration had interviewed me a few times for various positions, but I was always passed up for the job. I was too good at what I was doing as a building sub. It was disheartening.
I was on vacation that summer with my family in Vail, CO. We were visiting my brother out there for the first time. It's beautiful out there. I had been applying to various districts around where we lived and we were in the middle of a serious hunt for our first house. I got a call from a principal in Kenosha for an interview, she wanted me in the next day and I was 1200 miles away. She offered me a phone interview and I took it. I was BTFI. I went for it and put it all out on the line. She thanked me and asked if I'd be available the next morning for a second interview. I figured, what the hell? Why not, I've gone this far. So I had the second interview and we took the day to drive up the mountain. My phone had no signal, so I couldn't have taken the call if she called to turn me down. We returned and my husband and I went with my two brothers to have a drink together. My phone beeped in my pocket and I knew this was my call. It was my answer.I listened to the voice mail and there was the principal, offering me A JOB!!! My first real classroom and first real position. Not that what I was doing before wasn't real, but this was a classroom. four years in the waiting and I finally had what I want.
Going beyond the #$%^ it was worth it. It gave me the job I wanted, and my husband and I bought our house in Kenosha. It's all been uphill from there.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Week 4_comments to Brian
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wk4 Reading
I admit I am skeptical person, and a lot of people I know would say I’m hard-headed. While blogging about the book The Art of Possibility, I have questioned a lot of the tactics as they do not always align with my personal theories.
But I really liked the section on “enrollment”. That is something that I think can be helpful in any person’s life, including my own. While I’m not sure about the terminology and associating it with college or a yoga class, I fully support the idea of being excited about things, especially in the workplace. While people may not adopt or agree with your ideas, the concept of offering your excitement, to put it out there, is a wonderful idea.
As the book says, they may not always be receptive, but the possibility is there that they could be receptive. And at what cost to you? Very little. Maybe exposing some passion you have for you job? Big deal. That’s a good thing. And sincerity goes a long way. Maybe they won’t be receptive the first time, but upon seeing numerous, sincere attempts on your part, you could whittle away at any barriers.
In such a busy, stressful time for me, this was a nice closing section to reflect upon.
But I really liked the section on “enrollment”. That is something that I think can be helpful in any person’s life, including my own. While I’m not sure about the terminology and associating it with college or a yoga class, I fully support the idea of being excited about things, especially in the workplace. While people may not adopt or agree with your ideas, the concept of offering your excitement, to put it out there, is a wonderful idea.
As the book says, they may not always be receptive, but the possibility is there that they could be receptive. And at what cost to you? Very little. Maybe exposing some passion you have for you job? Big deal. That’s a good thing. And sincerity goes a long way. Maybe they won’t be receptive the first time, but upon seeing numerous, sincere attempts on your part, you could whittle away at any barriers.
In such a busy, stressful time for me, this was a nice closing section to reflect upon.
1 comments:
- 4Shikes said...
- Sometimes, it all about putting it out there. It's hard to take a risk and walk out on that "limb" but sometimes it needs to happen. How many times did Edison fail when making the light bulb? 600? There's something to be said for taking a risk and perseverance through the tough times.
Week 4_comments to Gregg
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Wk 4 Publishing_Leadership Project
My initial plan is to propose my Action Research Project to be published into two educational technology journals. Since my project deals with the idea of using age-appropriate social networking in the classroom (Edmodo), I wanted to aim for two publications that might be interested in publishing the research that I discovered. 
My first choice of publication is through the nonprofit education organization, Computer-Using Educators, or CUE. This organization's goal is to advance student achievement through technology in all disciplines from early ages through college. CUE publishes a quarterly journal entitled OnCUE and I thought my research would benefit the audience and readers of this publication.
My second choice for possible publication is through a journal dedicated to informing and educating educators from the K-12 levels in improving and advancing the learning process through the use and integration of technology. This journal is entitled T.H.E Journal and is perfect for the possibility of
publishing my Action Research Project findings and discoveries. In fact, T.H.E. Journal recently published a whole article on the use of social networking in the classroom and Edmodo was one of the featured sites. So hopefully the journal would take note of my research and possibly publish it in lieu of their recent articles on social networking in schools.
* Link to Publishing/Leadership Think Out Loud BP1
* Link to Publishing/Leadership Think Out Loud BP2
* Eilers_Gregg_PubLeadProject.docx
My first choice of publication is through the nonprofit education organization, Computer-Using Educators, or CUE. This organization's goal is to advance student achievement through technology in all disciplines from early ages through college. CUE publishes a quarterly journal entitled OnCUE and I thought my research would benefit the audience and readers of this publication.My second choice for possible publication is through a journal dedicated to informing and educating educators from the K-12 levels in improving and advancing the learning process through the use and integration of technology. This journal is entitled T.H.E Journal and is perfect for the possibility of
publishing my Action Research Project findings and discoveries. In fact, T.H.E. Journal recently published a whole article on the use of social networking in the classroom and Edmodo was one of the featured sites. So hopefully the journal would take note of my research and possibly publish it in lieu of their recent articles on social networking in schools. * Link to Publishing/Leadership Think Out Loud BP1
* Link to Publishing/Leadership Think Out Loud BP2
* Eilers_Gregg_PubLeadProject.docx
2 comments:
- antosb said...
- That is fantastic that you have found some very apt journals to publish your paper! I am beginning to question my choice of doing a presentation as there seems to be very few places for me to showcase it. On the other hand, there are dozens of business journals out there if I had went the paper route. Did you look at places to present during any of this? If so, I was just wondering what your search tactics were...
- February 23, 2011 12:26 PM
- 4Shikes said...
- I think both choices would be honored to have you. You've put so much time and effort into your AR, and I think sharing the results would motivate people to start using more technology in the classroom. I think you should take this into a presentation as well. I think hearing a teacher who's used it and had success makes people willing to task a chance and use something new.
- February 23, 2011 7:18 PM
Monday, February 21, 2011
A moving video
Those of you who know me, know that what's happening in WI has really rocked me to the core. This video was so moving and beautifully done I had to share it with you.
The video and editing was done by Matthew Wisniewski and the song is Mumford and Sons-The Cave.
Wisconsin "Budget Repair Bill" Protest Pt 2 from Matt Wisniewski on Vimeo.
The video and editing was done by Matthew Wisniewski and the song is Mumford and Sons-The Cave.
Wisconsin "Budget Repair Bill" Protest Pt 2 from Matt Wisniewski on Vimeo.
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