Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Through the Looking Glass


-Lewis Carroll


Typically, my posts are about the most important part of teaching - the relationships. And true to form, this will be too, but in a different capacity. I just wanted to take a moment and consider the power of a thank you and how much someone giving you an opportunity to be yourself can play in continuing to foster and keep passionate teaching going.

"The Twinkling of the T"

It's been quite a few years now since I got to know Tom Murray. He's been my colleague, my boss, my "tech guy", my friend,  and most importantly a positive beacon in a sometimes dimming time in education. If you don't follow him on Twitter - you should. His posts are always positive and encouraging and he's a source for anything you need to know about technology. He epitomizes what it means to "lead by example". I've been meaning to do this for awhile - Thanks for everything bud.

"The White Rabbit"

Sometimes we feel like we're chasing that white rabbit and we're never going to catch him. Sometimes he shows up and we just have to realize he's there.

Check out this series of tweets:


"Burning With Curiousity" 

Before these tweets, we exchanged a few texts and I couldn't stop talking about this to my wife and kids. My wife's reaction was a bit along the lines of  "What a nerd," and my kids' reaction was something along the lines of "That is so cool." My kids' at school had the same reaction as my kids at home. 

It's moments like this that make me realize there are endless opportunities around us. We just have to make sure we see them.  There have been moments where the day seems "impassable", but it just takes a moment for you to stop, look around, and think what the door said to Alice, "Nothing's impossible."

"The Adventures First...The Explanations Take Such A Dreadful Time"

I haven't had a chance to try them yet, but my mind has been freshly boggled by the possibilities of using such a tool in the classroom. I'm not sure about the cool factor of wearing them, but at the sake of looking like a nerd, I'll give it a shot.  I was reassured by my amazing PLN that being a nerd  is okay:


I will be sure to post and blog about my experiences with Google Glass. Who knows what journey it will take my students and me on?

“Every story has a moral you just need to be clever enough to find it
- the Dutchess” 
― Lewis CarrollAlice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass






Monday, December 2, 2013

Edublog Award Nominees 2013



Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life  It's about what you inspire others to do.

Edublog Award Nominees 2013

Social media has opened up doors for me over the last two years and I feel it is necessary to take a minute to recognize a few of the outstanding people that I have had the opportunity to get to know, interact with, and learn from. I nominated in the categories that I have had personal experience with. I wish I could nominate you all. Every one of you I interact with on Twitter has made me a better teacher and person. Thank you.


  • Best individual blog: 
  • Best group blog:
  • Best new blog:
  • Best class blog: Joy Kirr's classroom blog is full of resources and inspiration for teachers, parents, and students Scholars in Room 239
  • Best student blog: Written by a 6th Grade student who "just likes to make people think" The Art of Knowing
  • Best ed tech / resource sharing blog:
  • Best teacher blog: love reading Starr's work 
  • Best library / librarian blog - This was a tough one because I know some amazing librarians, but Shannon Miller is at the top Van Meter Library Voice
  • Best administrator blog:
  • Most influential blog post of the year:
  • Best individual tweeter: @thomascmurray
  • Best twitter hashtag: #COLchat - the Culture of Learning 
  • Best free web tool: Livebinders
  • Best educational use of audio / video / visual / podcast:
  • Best educational wiki:
  • Best open PD / unconference / webinar series - Edcamp NJ - with approximately 300 educators attending on Saturday to learn, what more has to be said.
  • Best educational use of a social network - A Virtual Homework debate involving four schools and eight judges (including Will Richardson!)
  • Best mobile app: 
  • Lifetime achievement: