Perhaps it's me being ADHD but, the mention of any meeting seems to make me run in the other direction. Maybe it's the thought of having to sit still, not being able to check my email, or just the idea of being in a closed area with a bunch of people... yes I know, I'm a very special person. This past week I attended the faculty meeting at CE and I am still not sure if it was a meeting or a celebration.

Faulty meetings are at the end of the day on Thursdays in my district and usually it is a time for administration to explain policies, share observations, give key dates and keep their staff in the loop. Let it me known that CE does that but they also enjoy sharing a space with one another. Mrs. Lancarte and Mr. Johnson have cultivated an incredibly positive environment and do a fantastic job of modeling practices that they would like teachers to consider for their classrooms. Oh and did I mention the meeting is infused with TONS of technology?!

Here are some technology highlights from the faculty meeting...


Mrs.Lancarte sent out the agenda earlier in the day so that staff knew what to expect but also loaded it in the campus meeting LiveBinder so that staff could locate previous materials.


As teachers convened in the meeting space they were told to log into Twitter and answer a question that was on the meeting agenda and were instructed to read others responses, comment and gain knowledge from each other. Once the meeting started, promptly at 3:45, Mrs. Lancarte began reading a few of the tweets aloud and would ask questions about the resources posted.



Nikki McDorman tweeted out a reference called Texas Teacher Round-Up. The best way to explain this resource is that it's a blog that has K-5th pages that then are divided by subject, in each subject tab every standard (TEK) is listed and under each standard is either a link to a blog post that explains an activity on how to teach that standard, a TpT resource or a presentation.


Brian Intermill presented about Reflector he taught teachers how to activate and mirror an Apple device in the classroom, and also explained uses... having students solve problems in ShowMe without having to go up to the board, great way to play app games so that everyone can participate, and he also shared a new app called, Fractions. I loved using Reflector in the classroom because if you go to the camera app it allows you to walk around the room and mirror student work on the board (if you are using manipulatives is a life saver). To learn how to use and to gain more information about Reflector please see my Mirror, Mirror on the SmartBoard post.



Brian Intermill also shared the iPad App, Fractions. This app is a virtual manipulative that allows you to explore equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, bar models sand circle models.



The 4th Grade time then presented the iPad App Sock Puppets students were exploring homophones in class and wrote script that had to include homophones then create their skit in Sock Puppets. Student products were shared with Reflector. To gain more information about Sock Puppets please reference my Too SKINKIN' cool. Sock Puppets post.



Mr. Johnson (Assistant Principal) had teachers collaborate using HackPad. HackPad a space where you can share a document with others and allows for both asynchronous and synchronous collaboration.


I am beyond impressed by the amount of technology used, information shared, teaching methods modeled and  the learning positive environment. Thank you CE for allowing me to be a part of your PLN and be a part of your campus celebration.

I frequently get asked...
1. How do you find all of these apps and websites?
2. How do you stay in touch with the latest and greatest technology?

My answer? My PLN or Personal Learning Network

What is a PLN?


How should you use your PLN? How to Become a Connected Educator 

With new technology being introduced daily we as educators have to MAKE TIME and become connected with other educators. In order to improve our teaching we have to see and evaluate other professionals best practices. It may be my generation or perhaps my personal learning style but the last thing I want to do is sit down and read a book or article about teaching strategies. The best way for me to get information and truly understand it is to: see it and the product that is produced.

I have multiple places that I find my information but have found it helpful to organize my Digital PLN in a Symbaloo:


#cisdechat is held on Wednesdays at 4:00pm!

What/who is your most valuable resource in your PLN? (please comment below)