The Apple Teacher Training helped me to accelerate the integration of technology into my teaching by broadening my view of what I can do with the iPads provided for me. I am able to share with students how to create using the Apple tools provided. Using these technologies, I am able to model digital citizenship with my first graders - they are understanding of the proper ways to handle and use technology because of the way I integrate it in my teaching. The iPad allows me to make my instruction more accessible to any group of learners I have now and in the future.

List benefits & challenges of doing PD this way (LNC Choice). What changes would you make?

The benefits of this PD model outweigh any changes I would ever make. It has been so beneficial to be able to do PD on my terms and accomplish my goals as a professional. As a team, we are even inspired to start our own book study using this model for next year’s PD. 

How can you go "big" in your classroom, using some ideas you’ve gotten from this PD?

I really want to jump in and create an iMovie to show parents how far these students have come in terms of writing. I would love to show parents their first writing project and then a current writing sample to show the growth. This is in the works and I cannot wait to see how it turns out! Not only will this show parents progress it will also help students take ownership of their learning!

A1:  I think it is beneficial to have a wide range of choices for teachers.  I like that we can customize what we do so that teachers may choose something relevant to their situation.  I also found the flexibility helpful.  Sometimes on workdays, I feel I have more pressing tasks to complete; with this model, I worked on the PD when it was convenient for me.  I did find it challenging to review the various options and choose a course I wanted to complete.  As I got into the course, I found it was not exactly what I thought at first.  I also found it a little challenging to carve out the time to complete the assignments.

A2:  I have thought about finding ways to incorporate some form of coding into my classes.  I believe it is an important skill for students to try.  My experience, however, is limited, and I don’t yet have a clear vision of how it would be naturally incorporated into my curriculum.

A3:  I continue to seek ways to use technology to actively engage students in practicing and applying the concepts we cover in class.  I particularly look for resources which allow students to practice collaboratively but still have individual accountability.  For example, I use a couple of websites for practice problems.  The students are all given the same basic problem, but each student is given unique numbers to use.  Students can share ideas of how to approach the problem, but students must perform their own calculations to arrive at their answers.  The students then receive immediate feedback and are allowed to try again until they are successful. 

As I get more comfortable with the iPad apps, I see myself using information from this PD in my classroom. I’d like to continue with more Apple Teacher PDs so that I can learn more about the iPad and apps. Apple added badges for coding and a section for viewing Apple Teachers in action. I want to watch several Apple Teachers in action so I can see how the iPads and apps are used in different classrooms and in different ways. 

Real meaning has come from the PD your way program giving ownership and responsibility to the teacher to get the PD completed. At previous schools, I’ve had to participate in PDs that didn’t affect my classroom or meet my PD requirements.. The PD your way program has given me the choice of PDs that I can use in my classroom and to meet my requirements. 

PD this way has been a nice change from my previous experiences. One of the benefits of PD your way is that the teachers can choose PDs that meet their PD requirements. Also, PD your way gives you the opportunity to select PD that fits your subject/area. I have participated in many PDs that did not impact my classroom because the PD was geared toward the gen ed classroom. One challenge of PD your way could be that teachers have to hold themselves accountable to get the PD hours completed without a lot of structure from the program. Some teachers might find this difficult, while others might like the independence. I wouldn’t make any changes with PD your way this year. I did find the choices a little overwhelming, but  I think that was because it was my first experience with this program. 

---An idea I have had that I have wanted to try but haven't yet is the Flipped Classroom. I want to create a video with guided notes for the students to complete at home, then come to class the next day ready to ask questions and practice the new topic with the co-teachers present and ready to answer questions. I have read it is a very beneficial teaching style for students with disabilities because they can rewatch the videos as many times as needed, especially if they are distracted, and can then practice correctly with the guidance of two teachers assisting them in the classroom. If a Flipped Classroom will better assist my students with disabilities, then I definitely want to try it if it will make them more successful!

What has had real meaning?
Real meaning has come from the PD's that have focused on students with ASD. The education system is having more students with this diagnosis. In order to support the teacher and the student and make both parties successful I need to be prepared to help both look at how learning might be different. Will homework look different? The comprehension of language can be a challenge. Verbal language does not equal comprehension of material and that can be challenge. Once the student is frustrated behavior challenges become a concern. Education and communication are important when finding strategies to help everyone involved. 

 Open ended - share a thoughtful reflection of your choice.
I have truly enjoyed PD my way. It has allowed me to work at a time that is convenient and a time that I can devote and focus on the material. In this respect I can learn in an environment that is conducive to my learning style.

 

- I chose the CPR/AED training PD because it is of the upmost importance to have as many willing members in a school community, or any community, participate and become certified in case of emergencies.  This PD is a real and applicable training that could be the difference of life and death for a student.  As a PE teacher and coach, I feel it is my duty to be able to handle an emergency situation if needed.

What will you add to make this PD even better in terms of meeting your needs as a professional?

-Although the CPR & AED training is vital, I think it would be beneficial to have a first aid certification as well.  Not every emergency situation is CPR/AED necessary.  There is always the possibility of a first aid certification coming in handy for broken bones, bloody noses, and other common or dangerous situations that can arise as a PE teacher and coach.

-How will this PD inform your instruction and impact your students in the future?

I hope that this training will never have to be used. In saying that, I believe that these certifications allow students to participate in and learn in a safe environment. Parents and students alike can have full confidence that they are safe and in capable hands if there were to be an emergency situation.

-What opportunities do you see for yourself/your classroom in this PD?
I appreciated that this read had a good dose of reality. While it encourages teachers to "shoot for the moon" with innovation, it also heavily emphasizes self-care. One of my favorite parts was about teachers allowing themselves to "cheat" by not reinventing the wheel, making students CREATE/DO the work instead of the teacher, etc. These are strategies I have begun to implement more and more to maintain my own healthy school-life balance. And I truly believe that they only enhance the learning experience that students have in my classroom. Collaboration and choice make for positive engagement and memorable learning moments.

-What will you add to make this PD even better in terms of meeting your needs as a professional?
I loved the Twitter chats, but would have loved even one (maybe optional) meet-up in person, whether over coffee, or a morning coffee chat, etc. to further connect and discuss (like Jamie & I did on occasion :) Or an idea swap, where everyone preps/demonstrates one idea they've implemented, so we can see what was shared on Twitter "in action".

 

At the end of each chapter in the book Kids Deserve, you are given things to consider and tweet. I have used those things to reflect even more on the book versus just the answers that I tweet out from the given PD questions. I have also found other tweeters reading this book and have enjoyed reading their response to questions. I enjoy learning from other administrators how they are using this book to challenge what they do in their buildings.

 

 

I have over 30 innovative ideas that have renewed and inspired me this school year. On my teacher’s mid-year evaluations, one of the questions I have asked is to, “Please share briefly the most innovative instructional strategy or activity you have used thus far this school year?” I would have to say that their answers have renewed and inspired me as their principal. There is such a range from Kindergarten to fourth grade and I am impressed with what these teachers are doing in the classroom. An administrator today cannot lead from behind their desk as so much has changed from when I was a teacher. I use my teachers to help me stay innovative and inspired. One of the things I am doing this year, is being a guest teacher one hour per week in a different classroom. This gives me a chance to work with students and teach a concept or activity for the teacher. This hour each week is the highlight of my week and I am reminded of how hard our teachers work to the benefit of our students. By the end of the school year, I will have taught in every teacher’s classroom.

 

 

 

I would like to take this opportunity to promote book studies so they continue as a choice for PDMyWAy at LNC. This benefitted me because I could read at my convenience, I was able to share my thoughts and read other thoughts through Twitter and required reflections, and it was more meaningful and relevant. Book studies allow you to be connected to your colleagues because you are doing something together versus independently on your own. I enjoyed hearing the different perspectives from staff at the MS and HS during the Twitter Chats. If you did not try a book study this year, I encourage you to try one next school year.

 

 

* What opportunities do you see for yourself and your classroom in this PD?
 This PD has created an excitement for using technology in my classroom (both health and PE). I've learned to take risks and not be afraid to fail at times when it comes to the use of technology. I really feel that there is so much opportunity for learning enhancement within my classroom when it comes to technology. The vast amount of technology out there when it comes to health, physical education and learning is such a great tool. Students have so much information and innovation at their fingertips today that can teach them so much while keeping them excited to learn and continuing to grow in their knowledge. There are apps to help track their food/exercise, apps that give nutrition information and exercise guides, etc. You can even watch a YouTube video to learn just about anything (changing a tire, CPR, proper form when weightlifting, etc.). I'm excited to show/teach my students about the tech tools that can teach them and help them live a healthy, active lifestyle now and in the future!

*How can you go "big" in your classroom using some ideas you've gotten from this PD?
 In order to go "big" in the classroom, I had to change my view of how and why to use technology in the classroom. DitchBook has done just that! I can see the benefits of using technology (in the classroom) that the students use on a regular basis to keep them interested but also show them how to use it for their benefit. We used MyFitnessPal app to track their food for 1 week (it can also track exercise, weight, etc.). The kids hated having to log all the food they ate for a week but were surprised to see the nutrition content in the foods they were eating. It also helped them pay attention to food labels and portion sizes. There are so many other techie things out there that I want to learn about and use within my classroom and having been pushed this year by this PD, I now have a better knowledge and more courage to try new things within my classroom! I also have a great network of teachers and techies that I feel comfortable to go to when I need help! This truly has been a great PD for me and has helped me tremendously when it comes to effectively using technology within my classroom! I can't wait to try new things next year as well and to keep discovering new ways to enhance learning through technology!

2. What has surprised you so far with your chosen PD module?
I was surprised that grouping is not solely based on achievement levels. I have been taught that teachers should group students based on high, mid-high, mid-low, and low or some variation of that leveling system. I could group my students based on interest, objective, preferences, or performance as well.  

3. What are some things you are already successfully implementing in your classroom as a result of this PD?
I did see that I am basing rigor off of the activities that I create and not have been basing it on a book. 

Becoming an Apple Certified Teacher has made me more aware of the amazing tool an iPad can be at the hands of a student (even a 5 year old student!). It's encouraged me to try new things with my students which will ultimately impact the trust and confidence I have in my students to explore opportunities using the iPads and beyond. It has made me less apprehensive to try new, innovative ideas which will benefit my students in the future. I'm looking forward to my students completing their digital portfolios by the end of the year and creating research projects using a variety of digital tools. 

As I mentioned, I'm now more aware of the potential learning opportunities and projects my students can create using the iPads. This has led me to explore different apps, webinars, and even "borrowing" ideas from teacher-leaders on social media. This PD has inspired me to seek additional information and has opened my horizons to new ideas to grow professionally.

 I've appreciated having the freedom that PD Your Way has provided. I'm grateful to be part of a school community that values innovation, purposeful professional development, and choice. I especially benefit from the flexibility of completing PD at my own pace and feel more engaged than I have with professional development at my previous school(s). Best of all, I've been inspired by other LNC teachers after reading through the reflections each quarter and have really enjoyed this experience. 

What are some things you are already successfully implementing in your classroom as a result of this PD?  I decided to have students document the process of a drawing unit with taking 2-3 pictures of their artwork everyday. At the end of the unit students had at least 9-10 different in progress pictures to put together in iMovie/timelapse of the process. 

-What will you add to make this PD even better in terms of meeting your needs as a professional?  Overall I thought this was a wonderful PD but I would like to have a chance to pick something that was more content specific. I need content specific CEU’s for my renewal but I also  think this would benefit some more of my more advanced students as well. 

I also found a mixed media journaling artist that I want to explore.  She combines visual images with text.  I am looking forward providing other opportunities for students to turn there sketchbooks into visual journals.

-What is an idea you have had that you have wanted to try but haven’t?
I had been wanting to try a portrait project with my studio students that I had tested with AP Art History years ago but have put it off because I always felt that there was a missing piece.  I recently tried this project with Art 1 but with the addition of a technology component.  There was such a high level of success that I have had all levels of students create a portrait.  Would love to explore some photo editing software to add another level of exploration to this project.

-Open ended - share a thoughtful reflection of your choice.
Technology is changing the visual arts at a rapid pace.  While I feel fortunate to have learned traditional processes, I understand the importance of evolving with time and new developments.  I try to provide my students with a balance of both.  Apple products are used in professional arts careers so besides participating in the Apple Teacher training, I am working with the technology department and Mrs. Hale to make our classrooms more conducive to digital arts opportunities for students.  I would like to explore college arts programs to determine what related technology skills would most benefit students wanting to pursue various careers.  Having PD time to work on subject specific areas identified as needs is a crucial next step after reflection. 

-List benefits & challenges of doing PD this way (LNC Choice). What changes would you make? The benefits are that is is on my own time. I can choose wht I want to study. However, this is also a challenge. I've not al I find that I learn better from application and discussing strategies in a real life conference or seminar rather than an online tool. Hattie's research also supports discussion. I am old that way:)