Week of Nov. 13-17

Major wins this week!  As I was working with one of our math teachers on her number one goal of incorporating video lessons on her Classroom sites, another teacher I'm working with this cycle came in to see what we were doing.  This teacher in particular, has been my biggest challenge yet... trying to figure out just ONE technology component that I could get her to try.  Anyway, she came into the room and got so excited about what we were doing in setting up the recording device, that she blurt out, "how cool, I want to do that, too!"  I was over the moon that she finally realized the potential that is literally waiting at her fingertips.  Not only is the 'original' teacher I was helping energized to practice her video-making skills, but she influenced another teacher to take note and give it a try, too.  Persistence and patience does pay off!

Another celebration... our campus is the only junior high in the district without a designated PLC room, and thanks to the wonderful new administration on campus this year, we're getting a PLC room after Christmas break!  Not just any PLC room, but a true space FOR TEACHERS, with influences from each department, a space where all can gather to collaborate for the betterment of students.  I feel so lucky to have been tasked, along with our Instructional Coach, to help design and bring the space to fruition.  AND, the icing on this glorious cake... the IC and I get to move our desks/office spaces to the PLC room, as well.  This will allow us to truly be available at any given time, to all teachers.  I'm super stoked about the opportunity, and can't wait to see how the space helps strengthen teacher collaboration and support. 

Week of Nov. 6-10

LOVING the teachers new to my second cycle!  Had an awesome meeting with one of them this week, and she is so motivated to excel in technology.  Not only is she open to introducing new platforms into her lessons, she also wants to become a level one certified educator!  Best part... she approached me about it, with no prompting.  

We discovered this week that the video camera on student chromebooks is currently blocked.  We couldn't get any extensions from chrome to download.  However, in working with one of our campus Innovators, we found an extension through Alice Keeler.  The video will load directly to a student's Drive.  It's not as compatible as other extensions, but it's a great work-around for what most teachers need their students to do.  #problemsolving


  

Week of Oct. 30 - Nov. 3

This week, I felt like Tech Support... several teachers with technology issues; some I could assist with, some I could not.  Although our role as DLP coaches isn't really about "fixing problems," several of us have collectively agreed that it's best practice to assist when we can.  It's another component of building the relationship with a teacher.  My hope is that it pays off for the benefit of the students in the long run.

I conducted my fifth Lunch & Learn and Appy Hours this week.  We learned more about Google Slides.  Most teachers know about the platform, and were happy to learn about some updates, while others are in the transition phase.  These teachers are the ones who still use Power Point, and carry their flash-drives all over campus.  When I discovered some of their apprehension is based on the thought that they'd have to recreate their work in Google, they were tickled to know they could simply upload their PP into Slides... winning!