2014-2015 First Day Video

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Rachel

I’m finally getting around to posting the first day video I made for this school year (yes… I know we’ve already been in session for 7 weeks!) My hope was that this video would encourage teachers as they head into the new year – showing all the things we’ve accomplished over the last couple of years and giving them a glimpse at how professional development will evolve this year. Most importantly, the video features our teachers and the students that make it all worthwhile, but you’ll also see glimpses of many of the digital tools we use including: My Big Campus, ALEKS, IXL, Achieve 3000, BrainPop, BYOC, Symbaloo, VoiceThread, Class DoJo, Skype, and JoinMe.

Move Over Bill Nye

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Rachel

I first saw this a few weeks ago and I just can’t stop thinking about it. This is why I’m doing what I’m doing. I wrote previously about how technology is tearing down walls that have prevented students from reaching their full potential. Perhaps this story intrigues me so much because I’m a science teacher and a Digital Curriculum Integration Specialist, and it is the culmination of those two worlds – but I just think it’s an amazing depiction of what we can do in 21st century education. I know some will watch this and immediately say that this little girl is accomplishing this because she has a dad that’s supporting her and providing opportunities. We can say that our students don’t have involved parents like that, but what if they got these opportunities in the classroom? What could our kids do if we just gave them the freedom and the chance to try? There are a lot of people who shake their heads at such idealism, but I say… let’s find out. That’s how all great things have come into being.