Leadership · Curriculum · STEM
October 5, 2019
This is important. Do it today. Right now… To those who matter to you–tell them. Don't let another day go by without saying:I love you.I appreciate you.I'm happy that you're in my life.TY for being there for me.You help me #becomebetter.I can't wait to see you again.#fitleaders #fitat40 #keepburning #healthywake Read more…
October 3, 2019
There’s a lot going on here… What are your takeaways? As a parent, I can't wait for our baby to start talking. As an educator, I'm really thinking through this quote at the 0:55 mark: https://t.co/0svd7hiaqo — Kyle Hamstra (@KyleHamstra) October 1, 2019
September 30, 2019
Video is powerful. I believe in video. I’ve posted about video, here: Best Advice Ever–Part I (record videos of your kids) Some Assembly Required (video directions over printed directions) Playback, Reflect, Grow (seeing yourself teaching in video) #GridPlans: Flipgrid Your Sub Plans (using video for sub plans) And now—Another video Read more…
September 23, 2019
I’m reflecting on some great conversations with classmates, colleagues, and friends today. After many AHA moments, hypotheses, and healthy debates, I’ve finally come to a place of peace… And bold prediction: The digital portfolio will replace traditional teacher evaluation tools. Soon. But it’s way more than just replacing a tool. This Read more…
September 14, 2019
Experiencing life through the lens of a parent has really convicted, challenged, and rerouted me as an educator. Striving to address the needs of the whole child is so different to me now than in my previous 17 years of teaching. I marvel at how my mindset has shifted in Read more…
September 6, 2019
I turn 40 this year. And that has me thinking. Again. Have I fulfilled my purpose by this stage in life? What really matters? What’s meaningful? What have I gained? In a deathbed moment, what would I regret in my heart of hearts? Approaching the new year, a friend of mine declared Read more…
August 19, 2019
As I entered the building to hand over the most precious thing in my life to nearly complete strangers, a part of me died. I know change is hard, but I just don’t know how to describe transitions like these. This one was especially difficult, I think, because it was Read more…
August 16, 2019
I’m so torn up about this, I can barely express myself. Whether a parent yourself–or not–I think every educator can benefit from these thoughts. Next week, our 21-month-old son goes to child care for the first time. Alone. Without mommy, daddy, or grandparents by his side. Completely. Alone. My feelings Read more…
August 5, 2019
Hey, Friends! Not sure about you, but I’ve seen a ton of twitter-shaming lately. What’s going on? I’m taking a moment to pause, reflect, and seek your feedback. This isn’t about the President, politics, or celebrities. This isn’t the space for the gossip train or the petty stuff. This isn’t Read more…
July 19, 2019
Hey, Friends! Like millions of educators and organizational leadership enthusiasts around the world, I’ve been reading and rereading Brene Brown‘s book: dare to lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. For those who’ve read it, I’m on number 14 in The Armory. Again. For those who haven’t read it, I’m on Read more…
July 11, 2019
While attending my district’s WCPSSITLMS Convergence Learning Symposium three years ago, I was listening to George Couros present reasons why educators should build their own digital portfolio. Online features would include a professional profile as an about.me page, sharing resources through social media, and reflecting on our experiences through blogging. Read more…
July 7, 2019
I don’t know it all. And I think most people would agree that they don’t, either. But here’s the super scary thing. There’s more! As a classroom teacher, there were so many things I didn’t know… that I didn’t know. Nothing has made me more aware of this simple truth Read more…
June 10, 2019
I love presenting. I’m always fascinated by the different kinds of presentation formats available nowadays. The infrastructure of the presentation may be even more important than the message itself. It’s true. And knowing your space, setup, and schedule of activities will directly impact how effective you are in communicating your Read more…
June 9, 2019
Social Emotional Learning is a big deal in schools and life today. Our kids are persevering through challenges unprecedented. Navigating human interaction as adults is no easy feat either, it seems. Therefore, it’s not hard to imagine why there might be so many pedestal problems–even amidst total clarity, context, and Read more…
June 7, 2019
Ahhh… The Field Trip. One of the best learning opportunities of all time. Nothing beats the real thing. Nothing beats being there. Nothing beats learning by doing… the real thing. As far as teaching and learning go, it doesn’t get any better than this. But even when packed with all Read more…
June 3, 2019
Dear Friends, it’s with a very heavy heart that I share this with you tonight. I’m not doing very well at all. In fact, I’m really failing, here. Of the many things I deeply ponder, this battle is getting the best of me. I’ve been doing a lot of deep Read more…
May 29, 2019
As a younger, fifth grade science teacher (not too long ago), I made a lot of mistakes that I wish I could go back and redo. When speaking to a parent about our North Carolina fifth grade weather standards recently, some of these past mistakes came back to me. Mistake Read more…
In my last post: 3 Takeaways from My District Presentation, I expressed my passion–and the need–for learning by doing: “The reason why learning by doing is so powerful is because when learners do something or create something, they actively live the experience. Their brains archive the message, recall key words and ideas, Read more…
May 28, 2019
This was an experience that I’ll never forget. It made my educator heart smile, and it wasn’t about me at all. Connecting like this can be a game changer. Recently, I presented #Hashtag180 to my district’s Elementary Science Specialist Professional Learning Team (PLT). There were so many things I loved about Read more…
May 23, 2019
It’s fascinating to hear stories about how people landed their first big job. There was this one conversation in a grocery store aisle or a Starbucks. You and your employer attended the same college. And this in-law had a friend in another state who had that connection. A leader in Read more…
May 20, 2019
I love blogging. It truly helps me deeply process those experiences that mean so much to me. This reflecting helps me think through things, research what I don’t know, check my blind spots, and even revisit the archive to see where I may have been… wrong, misguided, or simply inexperienced Read more…
May 19, 2019
Until this moment, phrases like small wins or short-term wins seemed like buzz words to me. I admit that deep down, I thought: “Awwwwww… a small win… isn’t that cute. I mean, really, who doesn’t love a good pep rally? Grab the pompoms and get your cheer on! Since the astronomical Read more…
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