Car Ride

After an almost five hour car ride, I am finally in my hotel room getting ready for a presentation I am giving at a conference tomorrow, which I am really psyched about doing. Don't get me wrong, it is great to unwind, unpack and get comfortable but the car ride was pretty awesome. You see, I was fortunate enough to have an amazing driver for this road trip through NJ, Pennsylvania and NY. You might know him - his name is Eric Sheninger (@NMHS_Principal) and he is one of the most passionate educators and nicest guys I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the last two years. 

So Eric is the reason I joined Twitter two years (I wrote about it here). After reading about Eric and his use of Twitter as it related to the world of education, I was hooked. Well, here we are nearly two years later and I don't know what I would do without Twitter, my PLN and the friendships I have developed on this socially connected network- they have changed my entire professional world! Today, and the five hour car ride with Eric, was exactly what Twitter is about for me - learning through the human connections I have established with other like-minded and passionate educators who are trying to do what is best for kids (I know this is not true of everyone but I see it in most of the people in my PLN). That is Eric in a nutshell - he is a dedicated and enthusiastic leader who is always looking for innovative and forward thinking ways to enhance the learning experiences of his kids and staff at New Milford.

That's not all though - Eric shared a lot more than his professional world. During this five hour car ride, I was able to pick Eric's brain on a bevy of topics from book writing to keynote speeches to creating MakerSpaces and his willingness to share, offer his perspectives and be an advisor/mentor blew me away - he shared so much to help me enhance my craft. I never would have imagined that a five hour car ride with one of my mentors who specializes in Digital Leadership (check out his book) would have been such a game changer but it came at the perfect time - thanks Eric. 

With that being said, the thing is, I could have been in the car with any number of people from my PLN (although Eric did introduce me to the best hot dogs on the planet) and the experience likely would have been similar. We talked, exchanged ideas, pushed our thinking and laughed - a LOT! In the end, that is what Twitter is all about for me... the amazing people who I have connected with (and even met in real life) who have willingly shared their expertise, passions, knowledge and experiences with no expectations. Thanks to Twitter, I have access to the best of the best who help me be a better educator and Lead Learner and these connections don't only benefit me, but they directly benefit our entire school community because I cannot wait to share what I have learned with those at Cantiague! Twitter is so much more than a digital platform... it is about connections... it is about social interactions... it is about relationships... it is about friendships... it is about the people behind the avatar... Twitter is a platform that allows for a free flow of ideas between people who make a choice to participate in this space; people who want to share; people who want to learn; people who are passionate about the world of education and want to do what is in the best interest of children.

So, the next time someone asks me about THE TWITTER and why I do it, I will tell them its about the car rides/conferences/text messages/voxes and everything else I share based on the human relationships I have established!      

40 Things I Know About Education

This month I turn 40... that's right - the BIG 4-0! I am not quite sure where the last 40 years have gone (I still think I am 28 somewhere in the back of my mind) but what I do know is that I have learned a LOT in my 40 years. I have learned a lot about myself, a lot about the people around me, a lot about what matters in life and a lot about the world of education. I have been an educator for almost half my life and during that 17 year stretch, my philosophy of education, which I see as a living entity, has been shaped and refined continuously! In honor of my 40th birthday, aside from the white hairs growing abundantly on my head and the back pains that seem to increase in frequency, I would like to share 40 things I know about education...

1. It is all about the kids... they come first, second, third and last. They are the beginning, middle and end! Every decision we make must be in the best interest of kids - even if it is a difficult decision!
2. Educators can let the kids see them smile before December! In fact, heck, let them see you smile from day one... smiles and laughter have a positive physiological impact on people.
3. If you are going to be successful as an educator you must lead with your heart and mind... because teaching and learning without heart is like Fountas without Pinnell!
4. It is never about the resources/stuff/materials... it is always about the educators in the school!
5. Differentiation of instruction needs to be at the foundation of all good instruction!
6. Our schools/classrooms/districts need to be a safe haven for kids... and staff!
7. We must embrace the idea that failure is a critical part of learning and growing!
8. Homework has NO value unless it is checked and is potentially used as a type of formative assessment!
9. Don't just do something because it is the way it has always been done!
10. Embrace innovation and disruption... push kids (and yourself) out of your comfort zone by taking risks through disruptive innovation!
11. Faculty Meetings should not just be a review of things that can be covered in an email!
12. Kids need recess... don't take it away unless it is a consequence for something they did during recess!
13. The Arts are a critical part of any educational organization... it is a way to hook many kids who aren't hooked by math, reading or writing!
14. High stakes testing is useless because we cannot do anything with the data!
15. Students and teachers should NOT be reduced to a number as a result of a score on a standardized assessment!
16. NCLB, Common Core, RTTT, etc. have not addressed the systemic issues plaguing the landscape of public education in this country!
17. One bad year in school can set a kid back for years!
18. Kids need to read EVERY SINGLE DAY if they are to become stronger readers and THINKERS!
19. Collaboration is critical to the success of all members of the organization!
20. Being flexible is underrated!
21. Don't use sarcasm with your students.
22. Don't embarrass your students in front of each other.
23. Spend time creating a community of learners in your classroom - it can go a long way!
24. If kids can show their understanding in 4 or 5 math problems, don't give them a sheet with 20 or more!
25. Kids should have a voice in their learning and assessment!
26. Effective classroom management is rooted in trust, respect and empathy!
27. Telling kids what they are going to learn at the start of a lesson is a great way to hook them and gives them a context for what is to come!
28. Field trips are really important - they bring the curriculum to life.
29. Giving kids a second chance can go a long way.
30. We must focus on the issues... not the people... don't take things personally!
31. Healthy and positive relationships are at the core of any successful school!
32. Positivity goes a long way.
33. There are many policies and mandates that we must follow but how they manifest themselves in our space is up to us!
34. Feedback is a wonderful thing that can be transformative... don't get defensive around feedback!
35. We must listen more than we talk.
36. "Covering" the curriculum should not be our goal.
37. We are all learners first!
38. Don't ask if you taught it... figure out what was actually learned!
39. Create an environment where taking risks (and likely failing) is the norm!
40. Kids come FIRST!

Clearly the list could go on and on but in the end, I think these 40 points are critical to the success of any educator, student and learning organization. 

What do you think should be the next thing on this list? Please leave a comment below!

My Problems with Twitter

That's right, I said it... there are some potential problems with Twitter. Some huge problems that could impact the benefit of this socially connected network that brings educators from across the globe together. Regardless of gender, race, class or geographical location, Twitter allows like-minded (or completely not like-minded) individuals to connect, collaborate, curate, engage, deliberate, discuss and learn for free... 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Need a link to an article, video or blog post? Hit up your PLN (Personal/Professional Learning Network)! Need an idea for how to invigorate a staff meeting? Tweet out the question to your PLN! Want to introduce an app into your 1:1 school to support reading instruction? Type the question in 140 characters or less and your PLN will be there to help!

Yes, the potential power of Twitter is only beginning to be understood by many in the world of education. But, as we know, with anything good thing comes some potential issues, challenges and drawbacks and this is true of Twitter. There are some problems with Twitter, at least from my perspective and I need to put them out there for myself... so I can be aware of them as I continue my journey as a connected educator. What are these problems you ask? Well, here are the ones that I see...

1) We are susceptible to groupthink! That's right - I said it! Groupthink could totally rear its ugly head and I feel like I have seen it happen already. My take on groupthink is when within a group (usually like minded people) the desire for conformity and acceptance impact the decisions that are made by those within the group. Instead of critically evaluating and deliberating the ideas and points of view of others, we just accept others' ideas as our own to fit in or gain followers or be accepted or whatever! Should we be able to agree with those who think like us? YES... but let's not miss the opportunity to reframe a problem/issue/challenge and consider it from a different lens. For example, what if we didn't view the Common Core State Standards as the death of public education? What if we viewed them as an opportunity? Not saying that I feel one way or the other about CCSS but what I know is that it's one of those topics where we allow ourselves to feel victimized and jump on the bandwagon instead of flipping the table and taking a different stance. 

2) That brings me to my other concern... there are too many people potentially taking the position of "victim" on Twitter. Is the current landscape of public education concerning? Yes! Are there lots of things happening in our schools that are not in the best interest of children? Yes! Does the push for high stakes testing, privatization of public education and accountability stink? Yes! But, why focus on all that when you are in this socially connected network of people where you have access to incredible amounts of expertise and experience (Where else can you chat with Todd Whitaker, Daniel Pink and even the Pope??) that can help you reframe challenges and see them as opportunities for growth and learning. I am not saying we shouldn't complain about all that is wrong but let's not get mired in that when we have the chance to collaborate with other passionate and motivated educators. Like I used to say to my kids, "Don't perpetuate the problem... offer a solution!"

3) Let's not just use Twitter as a soapbox or a space to regurgitate quotes and cliches... NO! Let's use this platform as a think tank... as a space to nurture and cultivate solutions... as a place to exchange ideas, resources and perspectives that will help us be better in our own contexts! Yes, we all know that there are inequities in our schools; systemic issues that our plaguing our learning institutions; and gaps in the quality of education our children are receiving across this country but instead of commenting on these issues, let's use the collective power and knowledge in this space to make things better! Let's push initiatives like Genius Hour, Differentiated PD for educators and MakerSpaces... and the 100's of other ideas and approaches that can make learning more meaningful and engaging for our kids! 

4) Twitter is not about the number of followers you have (although the more you have, the greater your reach and access to resources and perspectives) but instead Twitter is about the human connections you establish. The connections that lead to an exchange of ideas; the connections that lead to deliberations from different points of view that help us broaden our lens; the connections that give us a boost or a push when we need it most; the connections that inspire us and ground us at the same time. Twitter is about the people we get to know, respect and value... much like what happens in a well-functioning classroom or school.   

5) We need to stop pushing Twitter on the disconnected educators because I don't think that is the right approach! When I used to talk about Twitter, I think people wondered how much of the Kool-Aid I had ingested and whether or not my tweeps and I were all in a cult! Well, what I started to realize is that the Twitter experience is a journey... it is not an experience that can simply be replicated for those who have yet to be connected. It looks different for every person and we have to respect that for some people, "lurking" (and never actually tweeting) is as far as they will get and that is ok. Twitter is about learning. Twitter is about getting access to some of the most amazing resources available to educators. Twitter is a personal journey whose trajectory is dictated by the individual... not the platform!

Ok... so there you have it... these are the problems with Twitter that I have identified during my two year journey. What do you think? Am I wrong? Have I missed any? Am I totally on point? Please help me see a different perspective... help me learn and grow... please push my thinking! 

Being Normal

Paul had his most recent surgery last week. It was a "routine" procedure involving the rods in his back needing to be extended to match his growing body. Fortunately everything went well and Paul is home resting and recovering from this latest experience. Aside from the physical pain and discomfort that Paul feels every six months when he has this "routine" surgery, there is also the emotional pain that creeps its way back into his heart and mind... 

"Why do I need to have back surgery every six months?" 

"Why was I born with this problem?" 

"I hate having surgery every six months!" 

"Why can't I just be normal like everyone else?" 

Needless to say, hearing these words hurt almost as much as the pain we feel when we wait for hours during Paul's surgeries. Granted, Paul is "normal" in so many other ways for a boy his age - he is obsessed with Minecraft, he loves eating chicken fingers, he thinks farting noises are funny, he hates doing homework, he can tell you the most random and obscure facts about Star Wars and Marvel (especially the villains - this kid LOVES all the bad guys) and he loves playing video games! Is he a "normal" nine year old? Yes but every six months or so, he is reminded about how different he is from most other nine year olds in his world and all he craves is a bit of normalcy.

In considering this idea of "normal," I think of the many children in our schools who just want to be normal - these children don't want to stand out; they don't want to be unique; and they don't want to be special but instead, they want to be normal. The child who is impacted by a reading disability and only craves to read the same books as his classmates but can barely navigate the first page. The child who has trouble fitting in socially and all she wants is to be accepted by certain peers who are so wrong for her. The child who is impacted by severe allergies and all he wants is to sit at the same lunch table as his classmates and enjoy the same meals. We know these kids because they are present in every one of our classrooms, schools, districts and lives. We also know these kids because we may have been them at one point in our own lives - just wanting to be normal! Wanting to fly under the radar and go unnoticed like every other normal person.  

So, how do we treat these kids who want to be normal? How do we respond to them when they are struggling and expressing their frustrations? I don't know about you, but I generally respond by pointing out what makes them special and spotlighting all their strengths. In school we might provide a student with intensive services in the area of need. Or we might have them spend time with the school psychologist or guidance counselor to work through their issues. Whatever the situation, we try hard to make things better - not necessarily normal though. 

Well, today, in talking to my son, I realized he didn't want to hear about all the things that make him perfect and special in my eyes. Instead, he just wanted to hear that it was ok to feel the way he feels and that being normal isn't such a bad thing. And you know what? He is right - there are plenty of times in my life where I just wished things could be normal and uneventful... maybe even somewhat boring. In the end, I realized how lucky we are that Paul verbalizes his feelings and expresses his desire to be normal. So, in the future, I will thank him for sharing his thoughts with me and instead of trying to make him feel special, I will acknowledge his need to be normal and do my best to treat him like every other "normal" person. 

I am not sure what this looks like in school... maybe we let that struggling reader tackle the grade level text if that is what makes him feel normal for a little while even though we know he may not comprehend the content. Maybe we let that young lady who wants to fit in sit with that clique at lunch if that makes her feel normal, even though we know she may get hurt in the end. Don't get me wrong - I know that every child is incredibly special in some way but I have come to realize that maybe sometimes letting them feel normal might be necessary. Maybe if we let our kids feel normal some of the times, they will come to realize for themselves what makes them unique and special and then they won't be so interested in being normal.        

Educon: Game Changer

Innovation… failure… risk taking… thinking outside of the box…not accepting the status quo… deliberation… collaboration… control over our learning spaces! Those are the ideas, concepts and goals that permeated my mind throughout the entire Educon experience last weekend (took me a while to process the experience because there were so many layers to it). 

So it seems to me that our kids come to school ready to innovate… willing to fail until they are successful… happy to go outside of the box because of a discovery they may uncover… not just being obedient receivers of information… not passively sitting back while things happen to them... Our kids are active thinkers who don’t accept no when passion and interest is driving their learning. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, many schools end up squashing those qualities in our kids… we don't make them a priority... we don’t value them… we don’t assess them… we don’t see how they “fit” into the curriculum... we can't assign a number to creativity, innovation and disruption and so that means they don't fit in the current landscape of public education! 

Well, what I realized at Educon is that these qualities students enter school with should be at the center of everything we do in our learning orgnizations… whether through 1:1 implementation or a BYOD program or wearable technology or conversations about project/passion based learning as the anchor for all classrooms… we have the control to empower our kids and facilitate learning experiences in our schools that value innovation, disruption, failure, risk taking, collaboration and thinking outside of the box just to name a few. We, as educators who are there to advocate for our kids, have the power to shift the focus from teaching to LEARNING so the qualities our children enter school with are nurtured and fostered because that is how our students will be prepared to go into the world and change things for the better. 

This is what Educon meant to me. It gave me hope; it brought clarity to my vision for our school; and gave me access to like minded individuals who inspired me, stretched my thinking and pushed me further outside of the box! Thank you to Chris Lehman and the entire SLA family for hosting a most powerful learning experience!

Snow Day

NY was recently hit by two major snowstorms that dumped enough snow on the ground to keep most schools closed... yes, that's right, we've recently had a couple of SNOW DAYS! There is something so incredibly special about a Snow Day and no other day can compare. A snow day is a gift... it is magical... it means fun (except if you have to shovel)... comfy clothes... snowmen... snow ball fights... doing what you want for as long as you want... exploring a new hobby... reading a good book (NOT for HW)... unexpected extra time spent with loved ones... no structure... and most importantly, no work. Yes, snow days are special and whether you are a kid still in school or an adult, whenever the possibility of a snow day comes on the radar we all secretly do the "snow dance" - you know the one! So, if these days are so incredibly special and fun and rejuvenating why don't we have more of them? I am totally serious - our schools, kids and staff need more snow days! Are you with me? Let's make it happen... NOW!!

Ok, let me explain. When I say let's have more snow days, I am not talking about praying to the weather gods or doing the snow dance every night or wearing our clothes inside/out for good luck... no, I am talking about creating our own snow days... in school! Yes, that's right - let's turn a random Tuesday or Wednesday into a snow day for our kids and us. How do we make that happen you ask? Especially if there isn't a cloud in the sky and the temperature is above 50 degrees? Well, you see, I am not talking about an actual snow day with feet of snow that makes driving conditions unsafe, keeps everyone home and leaves people dreading shoveling the day after. No... I am talking about capturing all those magical qualities of a snow day - the fun, the creativity, the unstructured activities, pursuing passions and interests with your "extra" time and maybe wearing comfy clothes (this is optional) - and build a day of learning around those qualities. Make the snow day come to life in our classrooms or in our schools... make a fun day of learning that kids will not forget. 

So, what does a snow day in school look like? I don't think there is one answer because the glory of a snow day is that it can be whatever we envision for us and our kids... remember, no two snow angels or snowmen look alike so no two snow days in school need to look alike either - let your imagine run wild! For example, we can create a day full of Project/Passion Based Learning activities that are driven by the students. We can give the children time to play with cardboard, tape and string to be creative and innovative. We can take the idea of the #GenuisHour and let it unfold over the course of day - #GenuisDay if you will! We can empower our students to pursue an interest or passion that has been on the back burner because it doesn't exactly meet the expectations laid out within the Common Core State Standards. We can encourage kids to collaborate through different games or hands-on activities - we should encourage them to come up with the activities. We can let kids read... for fun with no expectation to respond, take notes or use post-its. Teachers could line up multiple Mystery Skype sessions in one day so students can connect with others from around the world. Make it a day of service learning so children can go out into the community to make a difference; or stay in school and beautify the space! And the list can go on and on and on... 

Here is the thing... we control what happens in our schools and classrooms each and every day! We impact the tone and tempo of the day. We can decide what stays and what goes during the school day. We decide how much fun we have on any given day. We decide whether or not we can create a SNOW DAY in school... that's right, we, the educators, decide what happens in our schools. With that in mind, I think we should start considering the notion of creating a snow day in school! Maybe it only happens two or three times a year... or maybe it is once a month... whatever the frequency, trying to capture the magic of a snow day in school is something we should consider... our kids deserve it... we deserve it! Let it snow and bring on the SNOW DAY! 

Please leave a comment below and share your ideas for what we could do during our school snow day!

Feedback: It's All Good

"Hey Tony, when you get a chance can you come by my office so I can give you some feedback from my visit to your school yesterday?" The word I dreaded... the word that meant something went wrong... the word that meant things were not as good as I viewed them... the word that meant something negative was coming up... FEEDBACK! I am not quite sure why I viewed this word in such a negative way but I could trace its roots back to my days as a high school and college student. Anytime a teacher or professor had feedback for me I immediately braced for the bad news - what did I do wrong?? From those days over 20 years ago, the word FEEDBACK carried a very negative connotation in my world... nothing good could come from FEEDBACK because I always took it personally. 

Well, I am happy to share that all started to change about five years ago when I started my position as the Lead Learner at Cantiague. I can't exactly pinpoint what brought about the change - maybe I was more mature (unlikely if you know me well), maybe I had a thicker skin (I am sensitive so this one doesn't make much sense either) or maybe it was just that I started to realize that FEEDBACK was an opportunity to grow... an opportunity to learn... an opportunity to get better... an enhancement opportunity. In reality, there was nothing negative about FEEDBACK because it all boiled down to how I received it, processed it and how I used it. I control what happens with the FEEDBACK. I control how I respond to FEEDBACK. I control if and how I respond to FEEDBACK. The F word is no longer one that I fear; instead, I embrace it, welcome it and look at it as an opportunity to get better and fuel breakthroughs!

This week we had the honor of hosting the awesome Chris Lehman (Yes, Mr. I Love Close Reading) at Cantiague and it was a day I will not forget because it featured lots and lots of awesome FEEDBACK! In three short hours, Chris visited almost every classroom at Cantiague and used his critical lens to help us figure out ways to enhance our craft... to do better by our kids... to grow as teachers and learners! Chris saw everything we were doing well and immediately offered suggestions on how we could do things REALLY well by giving us specific, honest and best of all, actionable FEEDBACK. All the ideas he offered us were opportunities for us to get better collectively - who doesn't want to get better? Why would anyone want to stay the same or get worse? I am pretty sure Peyton Manning analyzes film of his own play each week and scrutinizes it as a way to get better - he wants to be even better as the Broncos QB from one week to the next - he does not want to stay the same - he wants to be the best! 

If Manning can see the positive in FEEDBACK, so can we as educators! Instead of viewing FEEDBACK as a dreaded word wrapped in negativity let's view it as the gate that opens up to a pathway of positivity. A pathway filled with opportunities, chances and learning. For example, Chris reminded us about the importance of having kids write frequently in their writer's notebooks as a way to take ownership over the own writing and to help them enhance their skill set (yea, kids need to be reading and writing every single day if we want them to enhance their literacy skills). Did it hurt a little when Chris pointed out something we weren't doing well? Yes, it did. But, only for a moment because I realized I controlled how I took in his FEEDBACK! Instead of seeing it as something we weren't doing well, I saw it as something we could do better; something we could challenge ourselves with; something that would enhance the learning experiences of our kids. The FEEDBACK Chris offered was awesome and I was immediately inspired by the opportunity to grow and enhance our craft. The FEEDBACK Chris shared with us reminded me that FEEDBACK ain't all bad!   

So, moving forward I challenge all the educators out there to shed their fears of FEEDBACK and instead, embrace it head on and use it to get better. We must learn to offer FEEDBACK to students, teachers and leaders and we must practice receiving FEEDBACK in a positive way... in a way that allows us to grow and enhance our skill set. We must remember that FEEDBACK ain't all bad!  

Old Pair of Jeans

This morning I decided to do some winter/post-Christmas cleaning and I started with my jeans. My jeans are basically broken into two categories - the ones that fit and the ones that don't fit anymore. Well, I decided the easiest way to go about cleaning out this drawer was trying them all on because that would simplify things - the ones that don't fit could be tossed. Well, much to my surprise more of them fit than I expected (I guess the stress of trying to balance family life while writing a dissertation and working full-time could impact more than my sleep) so I had to weed them out using different parameters - too short, too long, jeans my dad would wear, etc. Finally, I got to the bottom of the drawer and I rediscovered my most favorite pair of jeans - they are the perfect color, length and they used to fit. But, they were also frayed, worn out and there were holes in random places. I decided to try them on and they actually still fit but was that reason enough to keep them? Things that make you go hmmmmm....

2013 was the year where I learned that pushing myself out of my comfort zone, becoming physically uncomfortable at times and stretching my thinking have led me to learning experiences and opportunities that I never would have imagined a year ago. A year ago I would have naively said it was all because of Twitter. Well, here I am a year later and I can honestly say Twitter is an awesome platform that facilitates learning but for me, it is about the connections. The human connections. The human connections with educators from around the world. The relationships that I have established with the many amazing and dedicated educators who willingly share their knowledge, ideas, perspectives and passion. I have grown as a father, educator and person because of the connections I have established and nurtured on Twitter. 

What have I learned you ask? 

I have learned about different resources that can enhance learning in our classrooms. 

I have learned about how to best integrate iPads into the classroom when it isn't a 1:1 situation. 

I have learned about how to develop a level of transparency with the community so we can flatten the walls of our school and let the community see exactly what is happening in our school and why it is happening (thank you Eric). 

I have learned about the differences between being a Lead Learner and an administrator (thank you Joe). 

I have learned about the power of mentoring through the #SAVMP experience (I have learned so much from my mentees and from George Couros & Amber Teamann). 

I have learned about some amazing apps - Touchcast, Voxer and Storify just to name a few - that have impacted my ability to lead efficiently (thank you to my #WIAmigos)! 

I was introduced to the world of podcasts and have even had an opportunity to participate in a few of them - LOVE these resources. 

I have learned about the importance of branding our schools and telling our story, which has led to an exciting new project - the BrandED podcast on Bam Radio with my brother from another mother Dr. Joe Sanfelippo. 

I have learned how to co-moderate a chat (thank you to my fellow #NYedchat crew - Bill, Vicki, Carol, Blanca & Starr). 

I have learned about the power of blogging and using it as a platform to push myself and potentially others (thank you Peter DeWitt). 

I have learned so much from all the amazing educators in my cohort at Penn - a bunch of whom are on Twitter!

The list could go on and on because I have learned so much this year through these amazing human connections! I have grown so much thanks to these human connections. I have been pushed beyond where I thought I could be pushed because of these connections. In fact, I am so far out of my comfort zone on most days that it is a little scary but I am ok with it because I know I am a better me today than I was a year ago as a result of these connections! In the end, I have learned this year that it isn't so much about Twitter (I have even stopped preaching about it somewhat) but instead, it is about the connections.

So, what happened to those old jeans you ask? I decided to throw them out. I didn't need them anymore. Instead, I was going to push myself out of my comfort zone and go out and buy a new pair of jeans - I am a little nervous but super excited!     

PLN Blogging Challenge

Truth be told, I have been avoiding this blogging challenge over the last several weeks... not because I didn't want to do it but because I didn't know if I had anything really interesting to share. First Seth Berg challenged me; then Michele Corbat threw the challenge my way; next Lyn Hilt challenged me but the whole time, I tried to hide from those challenges! Well, finally Andrew Sharos challenged me yesterday and even though I wanted to run and hide from him too, I couldn't do it! You see, Andrew and I were connected as a result of the #SAVMP program (thanks George & Amber) so how I could I say no to my mentee?? And, I also lost a blogging challenge a few weeks ago so it was time to pay up! So, Andrew, this post is for you my friend - thank you for helping me grow and learn over the last year - honored to be connected with you!

HERE ARE THE RULES OF THE CHALLENGE:
Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
Share 11 random facts about yourself.
Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
List 11 bloggers.  They should be bloggers you believe deserve a little recognition and a little blogging love!
Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let all the bloggers know they’ve been nominated.  (You cannot nominate the blogger who nominated you.) 

11 Random Facts About Me...
1) I was almost on Real World London
2) I was on the Golf Team in HS
3) I had my own radio show in college where we played Freestyle music (Cynthia, Johnny O, George LaMond, etc.)
4) I am scared of dogs
5) I am allergic to many fruits and almost all seafood
6) I was put on academic probation after my semester in college (I did really poorly)
7) I was on this dance show years ago called The Grind on MTV
8) I love blasting the music with the windows down when I am alone in my car
9) I am going to be 40 in 2014... that one is scary
10) I am a first generation American - my parents came here from Greece in the 50's
11) My first job was pumping gas

Answers to Andrew's Questions...
1) My favorite education quote: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world - Mandela
2) I am most passionate about being the best dad possible for my son; he has taught everything I need to know about what matters in life! 
3) I like having students work in groups of 2 to 4 - I think 4 is a pretty good spot for balance, deliberation and discussion!
4) My favorite Sunday activity is hanging with my family (and watching football)
5) My favorite twitter chat is #NYedchat because I get to connect with people in my own state (yes, I am one of the moderators...)
6) My son inspires me the most in my world; his strength, courage and sense of humor keep me centered!
7) For anyone going on a job interview, I would say, be honest, be yourself and show them (without being cocky) that you are the best person for them! 
8) I am hoping classrooms will be different in 20 years... hopefully less high stakes testing and more personalized learning!
9) I watched Johan Santana pitch the first no-hitter for the Mets - I cried!
10) I was honored earlier this year by the Bammy's as the Elementary Principal of the Year - humbled!
11) Best concert was Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium - they played for HOURS!

The 11 Bloggers I would like to challenge...
Peter DeWitt
Vicki Day
Bill Brennan
Lisa Meade
George Couros 
Jessica Johnson
Curt Rees
Tom Whitford
Leah Whitford
Amber Teamann
Don Gately

11 Questions for my Blogging Friends...
1) What is your favorite TV show?
2) What is one app or resource you've learned about on Twitter that has been a game changer for you at work?
3) In one sentence, share your vision for your school or district.
4) What does being a connected educator mean to you?
5) What was the most amazing lesson you ever facilitated or observed?
6) What is one thing about your school or work place that you are most proud of?
7) How has your PLN impacted you?
8) What motivates you each day to be an educator?
9) What is your favorite device or gadget?
10) In one sentence explain to a "disconnected" educator why they should consider getting connected!
11) What makes you happy?

Thank you all for taking this challenge and thank you Andrew for giving me that final push!  

EduBlog Award Nominees 2013

For the first time I ever, I excited to offer my nominations for the EduBlog Awards for 2013. I was honored to have one of my posts nominated last year but I am even more excited to spotlight some of the work that inspires me each and every day through my PLN connections. So, here are my nominations for the 2013 EduBlog Awards...

Best Individual Blog - Finding Common Ground - Peter DeWitt

Best Group Blog - Parent School Partners - Lisa Davis & Gwen Pescatore 

Best New Blog - Lisa Meade - Reflections

Best Class Blog - Grade 5 Alites - Cantiague Elementary 

Best Student Blog - StuVoice Blog - #StuVoice

Best Ed Tech Blog - Edudemic 

Best Teacher Blog - Blogging Through The 4th Dimension - Pernille Ripp 

Best Librarian Blog - Van Meter Library Voice - Shannon Miller 

Best Administrator Blog -  The Principal of Change - George Couros 

Most Influential Blog Post of the Year - Little Things - George Couros 

Best Individual Tweeter - Eric Sheninger

Best Twitter Hashtag - #Satchat

Best Free Web Tool - Twitter

Best Podcast - Techlandia

Best PD - EdCampNJ

Best Mobile App - Touchcast

Lifetime Achievement Award - Todd Whitaker