Category: Books

5 Tips to Finish Up the Year Strong!

5/18/2021

It's almost over! Since we moved last summer, this year seems like it's just a continuation of last year! Needless to say, I'm ready for a break. We are ALL ready for a break! Which is why I wanted to write a quick post on how we can finish up the year strong. This is to help you AND hold myself accountable for practicing what I preach. 😉
The order of these tips might be different for you, choose what works best based on where you are now. If you have any tips that work for you, please share in the comments or tag me on your favorite social media platforms. I love getting ideas from my like-minded educators!

1. Pace Yourself

Your to-do list can get really long at the end of the year, so make sure to pace yourself.
Prioritize your list and put them on your calendar so you aren't running around like a crazy person the last week of school. You want to enjoy the excitement of the promise of summer with your students and coworkers, not just focusing on what I like to call the end of the year scavenger hunt.

Tools that can help you prioritize your to-do list:

Google Keep This is my favorite technology tool for organizing and project management!
Todoist I don't use this one personally, but I know a lot of people who swear by it!
Franklin Covey prioritizing strategy I used Franklin Covey planners for years before switching to a Passion Planner. I still love and use the strategies I learned from this planning system.
The Pomodoro Technique This one is more about scheduling your actual time, not just the to-do list. If you can't focus for long periods of time, this one is for you!

2. Start Organizing Your Files

If you are leaving your district, you have to try Google Takeout so you can keep those files you've worked so hard on throughout the year(s). *Find out more about it here.
If you are a desktop saver (no judgement), I suggest creating a folder on your desktop called something like "Desktop items 20-21" so you can drag the entire folder into your personal Google Drive or onto a flash drive. I like to go through the files first and trash what I don't need, but if you don't have time right now, at least you know where it is even after you have to turn in your laptop or move to a new school.

3. Create a Summer Wishlist

We all need something to look forward to right now! I like to create a personal and professional summer bucket list and add to as things pop into my head while dreaming about those no alarm days of summer!
I'm a PD geek, so I also like to make a list of trainings or certifications I'd like to participate in to make the next year better. I'm finishing up year 23, and I still love learning new things!

Bucket List Tracker Ideas:

Google Keep List - just add check boxes to a Google Keep note (mentioned above) so you can enjoy the satisfaction of check them off when you are done.
Bullet Journal -prefect for paper and pen lovers! Check out the article linked here to learn more about this planner/journal way to track the important things in your life.
Sketchnote -Check out Carrie Baughcum's video to get an idea of what Sketchnoting is if this is new to you. Again, if you love to embrace your creative side when planning, you'lll love this!

Summer PD Ideas:

Google Meet Master Class - This is my first Teachable course that I created for Kasey Bell (Shake Up Learning) as a part of her Training Team. If you are new to using Google Meet, this would be a great self-paced training for you! You can find the podcast about Google Meet here if you want to check it out.
Badges! I don't know why I love earning badges, but this site caught my eye on Twitter, so it's on my summer learning list (FREE). #BadgEdTech
📚 BOOKS! I have some audio books I want to listen to from my GoodReads list . If you use track your books to read here too, I'd love to connect! My short stack of PD books include (two practical, one passion topic):

4. Reflect

I reflect personally and professionally every month using the pages in my Passion Planner. What I love about this, is looking back to see the different stages of my life. Want to give it a try, download a copy of those reflection pages for free here.

Here are some of my favorite quotes on Reflection that might inspire you to give it a try.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." ~Socrates
"We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience." ~John Dewey
Need ideas on becoming a reflective teacher? Check out this blog post.

5. Make Self-Care a Priority

You are tired, all educators are tired. It's been a long year that might seem like it will never end, but like all things, it will. We have to take time to take care of ourselves to stay healthy and productive as we finish up the year. Here are some of the tips that have helped me, maybe they will help you too.
If you want more tips, I highly suggest Dan Tricarico's The Zen Teacher and Sanctuaries.

Make time for things you WANT to do, not just things you HAVE to do.
Say No!
5 S's: Silence, Stillness, Subtraction, Space, Slowing Down - if you can't do all of them - try to pick one. (from Dan Tricarico's Sanctuaries)
Turn the news off! If it stresses you out, it's as easy as a click of the remote to remove that stress. If it's super important, chances are you will hear about it.
Make time for exercise. I know, it's what everyone says, but even going for a quick walk can reduce your stress level.
Music - Create an upbeat playlist to play when you are tired or feeling stressed. It's hard to be stressed when listening to songs like Shake It Off (admit it, you like it too). 😜

What's Next?

Summer PD for me! I will take a break here and there, but I'm a PD geek and I love using summer to brainstorm ideas. I don't know about you, but I don't have the mental capacity during the school year to really let me imagination go. I'm also going to spend time with friends and family, as well as going on our (postponed from last summer) trip to Nicaragua. I can't wait!
You'll see some pool or beachside #booksnaps soon!

I wish you all the best of luck with the end of the year and I hope you will take some time for yourself so you feel refreshed when you walk back into the school building next Fall! ~Pam

8 Things that Made 2019 Awesome!

12/30/2019

4 Comments

2019 In Review!

I don't know about you, but I often forget all the great things that happen throughout the year. Luckily, I take pictures at almost all of the events I go to (expect family events... I need to get better at that)! So to start this post, I figured it would be easiest to make a video with all those photos so it would be easier to reflect on everything. If you want to try this, I use the Quik app by GoPro on my phone. It's super easy and FREE! You can find the mobile app on Google Play or the Apple App Store . This post is all about what was to accomplish this year, even if I didn't plan to. So let's travel back in time and see how it went!

1. 2019 Kick Off! #FETC

I'm really sad that I won't be going to FETC2020, but I'll make up for it by going to the conference hosted by Dave Burgess & friends, #dbcPIRATEcon in June (check it out here). It will be EPIC!
I've been in education for 23 years, and I've probably gone to FETC at least 15 of those years. It's still the best conference I've been to! Not only is it amazing, they treat their presenters SO well, even paying for their conference tuition. That goes a long way in an industry that doesn't usually have a big budget professional development opportunities! The best part of going to this conference has been the connections I've made over the years. Check out this blog post to find some EDURockStars to follow!

2. #TriCountyCoffeeEDU

My friend Pam Inabinett hosts a monthly CoffeeEDU here in Charleston on a Saturday morning to gather educators from the tri-county area in one place. It's a great opportunity to get to know others in our local area to add some personal value to our #TeachSC chat that Jed Dearybury hosts on Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm EST every week. I'm thankful for Pam's friendship and commitment to help others connect!

3. #BCSDCoachesDeepLearning

Berkeley County School District hosts monthly professional development sessions for coaches, including part of the day for Coach Cohorts. I love our time together as a group to learn from each other, but I have especially enjoyed our cohort time together. A small group of coaches from different areas of the county can really help to strengthen our coaching tool kit as well as build relationships. It's so nice to have a group of educators to go to when you need support!

4. Books!

I haven't written a book...yet, but I did get to appear in two in the last year! I know it's not much, but I was honored to be included in Tech Request by Emily Davis and Brad Currie (#satchat) and Connect to Lead by my friend Jacie Maslyk (also pictured in the video above at FETC). I couldn't imagine ever having anything to contribute to a book before becoming a connected educator. Now, my goal is to write one myself!
As far as reading books, I have to give DBCInc. crediThanks for most of my inspriation! I seriously love their books! Here's a link to all of my book blog posts if you need some ideas for your professional reading list.

5. All Things Shake Up Learning!

Kasey Bell and her Shake Up Learning community have been a big part of my life in the last couple of years, but this year was huge!
I'm one of the Community Managers for Kasey's Facebook groups, including for her online book studies. If you are reading the book Shake Up Learning, you need to check it out! It's a great way to read the book and connect with others for ideas. You can join the Facebook book study that starts in February 13th and runs through March 19th today! I also had my school bring Kasey to our school for her Dynamic Learning Workshop last October. It was great to have her in town and get the chance to hang out as well! The final treat of the year was getting to be on her podcast to talk about how I use #PottyPD. Here's the post and podcast if you want to check it out. I'm inspired by all that Kasey does for educators and value her friendship! If you aren't already connected with her, don't wait any longer!

6. Presentations!

This was one of my goals for 2019...present more! Besides holding Google trainings at my school, I got to present at quite a few conferences (local and national). It's my favorite thing to do in education! My long-term goal is to provide professional development to teachers full time!

7. EdCamp #EDUCoachSC

This was an amazing experience I got to be a part of with my friends Allison Walker and
Jen Shuffler! EdCamps can be an amazing PD opportunity and it's FREE! If you want to find an EdCamp by you, check out the organization site. You can also check out our site for our last event, and I'll let y'all know when we hold our next one! We hope you'll connect with us on Twitter.

8. #PD4uandme Twitter Chats

I can't say enough about this community! My friend Teresa Gross created #PD4uandme and asked if Emily Francis and I wanted to help out, because keeping up with a weekly Twitter chat by yourself is not easy! We hold this chat every Saturday (occasional Saturdays off during holidays and such) from 8:30-9:00 am EST. You can see the archives of all our chats in the Wakelet collection below. It's like a #CoffeeEDU on Twitter, so join us this weekend if you want to check it out!

Welcome 2020!

I apologize for such a long post, but this is what motivates me to do more each year (I hope it inspired someone out there too)! As a classroom teacher for a long time, I never thought this would be what a year would look like. I would love to hear what your stellar year looked like! Connect with me today on Twitter or comment below to keep the conversation going!
~Pam @specialtechie

4 Comments

Be REAL & Be a Multiplier!

3/3/2019

2 Comments

Be REAL - Education from the Heart

I have read many of Dave Burgess Consulting books, but this one is in my top 5 at this point!
The older I get the more I agree with the idea of just being REAL, so I HAD to get Tara Martin's Book!
As I read this book... I cried, laughed, got awesome ideas, and was completely inspired and assured that being REAL was the only way to be, the only way to change the world around you for the better.
Do I have a false sense of power because of it? No way... but there are some things I can change, and that's where I want to spend my time an energy. Life is short, make it the best life you can! Or as Tara would say, "Cannonball In"!

Relatable
Expose Vulnerability
Approachable
Learning Through Life

Here's a great video to give you a glimpse of Tara Martin's book and her amazing personality that you can feel as you read the book. Seriously, I felt like we were friends by the time I finished it!

My Multiplier!

I have lots of Sketchnotes to share after reading this book, but I'll save that for another post.
This post is more for about my Multiplier that Tara inspired me to write about. I have more than one, but Mr. Sardone is the first one to SPARK something in me that I wouldn't recognize for MANY years. He ignited the fire in my heart to be an educator! Thank you Tara for reminding me to keep them in my heart, remember my why, and aim to be a "Multiplier" myself! (referenced book: Multipliers)

Mr. Sardone, My Inspiration!

Video Credit: LaEpocaFilm.com *Click the image for the Facebook video.

While reading the book, I had to reconnect with Mr. Sardone ! I had to tell this amazing 5th grade teacher how much I appreciated him (again)! He's the reason why I wanted to be a teacher and that never changed. I had written Christmas cards to him for many, many years, until I moved and had my second child. I feel horrible that I ever stopped! I was elated when I found this video on Facebook done by a man who also had him a few years after I did. I sent "La Epoca" a message and I was able to connect with some local people who still see him (at the gym of all places)! This video makes me cry every time I watch it (click the image above to watch)!

Even though this video won't mean as much to you, watch it knowing the impact you can have on your students. You never know which ones you'll reach or what they will do once they have moved on. I think Tara gets that point across in her book as well!

The Interview

La Epoca:
"When I thank you, as I have over the years, what does my expression of Gratitude do to you?"
Joseph Sardone (88):
"So many of you have come back into my life - never forgetting me. I am so elated by your generosity, the love that you show me, and it's genuine. Because you don't have to. And yet, you still come back. And at the same time - this elation, I'm humbled by it. *Where I start bawling.
I don't know whether I deserve it or not, but I guess my reaction to it says it all.
I never take it for granted. Never. I never take people for granted. I never took my parents for granted. That's where it all started for me. If I extended myself to you, you received a bit of my mom, my dad, and my beautiful brother. So, I don't know what else I can say."

Later in the conversation he says,
"I thank you so much (for telling me). Just saying thank you seems so inadequate, but you are in my heart. That is all I can give you."

"You are in my heart, that is all I can give you."

This man was, and still is as REAL as it gets!
He's my inspiration and I'm so happy that I had the chance to tell him so!
Who is your Multiplier? Do they know?
I hope you will reach out to them if it's still possible.

Come back after you read Tara's books to read my reflection post.
This is just the beginning of the inspiration she's given me!

2 Comments

The 5 R's of Summer for Educators

5/28/2018

1 Comment

Relaxation & Rejuvenation

Everyone thinks of relaxation and rejuvenation a little differently. My preference is to turn off my alarm clock and spend as much time at the pool or beach as possible. Netflix binge watching is also at the top of my list, especially after a long day in the sun with friends or family.

Since summer does go quickly, I like to create a "Summer Bucket List" in the beginning of June and add something different to my calendar each day. Since I have kids, my husband and I let them help with our selections too.

If having plans every day is too much for you during the summer, plan just a couple days a week so time doesn't get away from you. Pinterest has lots of ideas to search through if this is something you'd like to add so you start back to school in August relaxed and rejuvenated!
Recommended reading for more ideas:
The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom by Dan Tricarico
*This was my favorite pool reading last summer!

Reflection

Reflection is an amazing way to process what went well this year and what you want to change for next year. I use these questions from a Passion Planner I've used in the past. I may not follow it exactly, but it helps me with the reflection process. There are tons of reflection templates online as well.
Questions you can start with...
1. What went well?
2. What didn't go well?
3. What are my next steps?
4. What resources will I need to help me accomplish my goal(s).

I find it helpful to write answer these in a journal so I can look back at my responses. Look for "Bullet Journal" layouts and ideas if this sound like something you'd be interested in starting.

Relevant Learning

Last summer, I joined Kasey Bell's Teachable course to prepare myself to become a Google Certified Trainer. I figured if I was serious about it, I may as well prepare well the first time so I didn't have to apply more than once. It's not free, but it's worth it! I was able to apply and get accepted on the first try thanks to Kasey and her amazing resources. This summer, she has lots of courses available!
You'll have to act fast for the best deal, enrollment closes at midnight CST on June 10th.
Click the button below to join today!

Shake Up Learning Courses

Here are some of the other online learning options I've looked into:

Cult of Pedagogy's Jennifer Gonzalez has an amazing blog, podcast and has courses available.
Kasey Bell and Matt Miller have a podcast together called Google Teacher Tribe. If you haven't listened yet, go ahead and catch up this summer! It will be worth your time! They have kept me company every Monday morning on the way to work for a while now. #gttribe @gteachertribe
Matt Miller has Teachable course called Tech to Learn. You can sign up here.

If I wasn't already signed up for 3 of Kasey's courses, one virtual course through College of Charleston, and one week of being a counselor for Engaging Creative Minds... then I'd sign up for one of these for sure!

Reading

Reading is one of my favorite ways to relax, rejuvenate, and stay relevant all at once. My stack is a little out of control, but there are so many good books out there for educators!

This stack is missing some my newest additions...
The Zen Teacher (mentioned above)
Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell - Obviously, she's one of my favorite #edurockstars!
Ditch That Homework by Matt Miller and Alice Keeler
Onward by Elena Aguilar
Culturize by Jimmy Casas * This one is literally on the way thanks to my Amazon Prime addiction.

Looking for other reading ideas? Just search Amazon for Dave Burgess Publishing and you'll have plenty of amazing books to choose from!

What's on your Summer Agenda?

I'd love to hear what your summer plans are! Connect with me on Twitter or leave a comment here. What ever you do to get ready for the next school year, I hope you have a wonderful summer.
I'll be working on some new resources including planning tools, Google PD, Hyperdocs for classroom use and more! Check back soon.

As always, thanks for reading!
~Pam @specialtechie

1 Comment

Social Media... Tell Your Story Before Someone Else Does!

6/27/2017

3 Comments

Social Media... A Love Hate Relationship

Social Media can be a time sucker, but it can also be the best way to reach an audience in a positive way. It's out there, we can't fight it, so we may as well use it to benefit our school communities.

I've been reading Lead Like A Pirate by Shelley Burgess @burgess_shelley and Beth Houf @bethhouf. Really, If it has PIRATE in the title, I'm going to read it. I'm not an administrator, but all educational stakeholders can play a leadership role if they are passionate about making their schools amazing, right?!

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<<Previous

5 Tips to Finish Up the Year Strong!

1. Pace Yourself

2. Start Organizing Your Files

3. Create a Summer Wishlist

4. Reflect

5. Make Self-Care a Priority

What's Next?

Other popular posts:

8 Things that Made 2019 Awesome!

2019 In Review!

1. 2019 Kick Off! #FETC

2. #TriCountyCoffeeEDU

3. #BCSDCoachesDeepLearning

4. Books!

5. All Things Shake Up Learning!

6. Presentations!

7. EdCamp #EDUCoachSC

8. #PD4uandme Twitter Chats

Welcome 2020!

Be REAL & Be a Multiplier!

Be REAL - Education from the Heart

Relatable
Expose Vulnerability
Approachable
Learning Through Life

My Multiplier!

Mr. Sardone, My Inspiration!

The Interview

"You are in my heart, that is all I can give you."

The 5 R's of Summer for Educators

Relaxation & Rejuvenation

Reflection

Relevant Learning

Reading

What's on your Summer Agenda?

Social Media... Tell Your Story Before Someone Else Does!

Social Media... A Love Hate Relationship

Author

Archives

Short Cuts

5 Tips to Finish Up the Year Strong!

1. Pace Yourself

2. Start Organizing Your Files

3. Create a Summer Wishlist

4. Reflect

5. Make Self-Care a Priority

What's Next?

Other popular posts:

8 Things that Made 2019 Awesome!

2019 In Review!

1. 2019 Kick Off! #FETC

2. #TriCountyCoffeeEDU

3. #BCSDCoachesDeepLearning

4. Books!

5. All Things Shake Up Learning!

6. Presentations!

7. EdCamp #EDUCoachSC

8. #PD4uandme Twitter Chats

Welcome 2020!

Be REAL & Be a Multiplier!

Be REAL - Education from the Heart

Relatable Expose Vulnerability Approachable Learning Through Life

My Multiplier!​

Mr. Sardone, My Inspiration!​

The Interview

"You are in my heart, that is all I can give you."

The 5 R's of Summer for Educators

Relaxation & Rejuvenation

Reflection

Relevant Learning

​Reading

​What's on your Summer Agenda?

Social Media... Tell Your Story Before Someone Else Does!

Social Media... A Love Hate Relationship

Author

Archives

Short Cuts

Relatable
Expose Vulnerability
Approachable
Learning Through Life

My Multiplier!

Mr. Sardone, My Inspiration!

Reading

What's on your Summer Agenda?