Wonderful Job!

I have truly enjoyed working with the Highland Park team. I have to admit, there were times when I was a bit worried, but I know how busy life in the school can get. In the end though, you ALL created amazing projects. You truly should be proud of yourselves. I hope that your participation in STEP has inspired you and that you will not only continue to bring technology into your classroom and school, but that you will also share what you have learned with others.

Thank you!!!

Wow! This has been fun.

This is my final post for the year. It has truly been a great experience to participate in S.T.E.P. The information gained this year will certainly benefit me and the staff that I work with in the future. All of the information provide at the training sessions was new to me. I was very surprised to learn how little I actually knew about digital cameras. And I professed to be an above average technology user. Well, I can only say that now because my knowledge base has been enriched by S.T.E.P. Have a great summer to all.

Last Blog of the Year

Well today is my last day to blog :-(!!! Today I saw how the entire Highland Park staff came together to respond to a PodCast for our school. I thought it was an awesome idea of the principal to give the entire staff an opportunity to view the podcast and respond to the cast by either typing their response or verbally speaking their response into the headphones.

PreReferral & SIT Process Story

At first I did not have a clue as to what other photo story I could create. Then I was in conversation with Megan and she asked which grade do I teach. I said special education and as soon as I said that the idea popped in my head. There are always so many questions, concerns, and comments as to how a child gets into special education. So I decided to create a story that explains the prereferral and SIT process. As I started the story I found myself getting more and more detailed. It was extremely hard to depict the most important details needed to share my story.

Project Completed

I completed and submitted the Administrator's Step Project to Ronlyn. The Red Across America movie included pictures from the Read Across America Event held in February and March. I included a title, transitions, narration and background music. I told the story in a way in which teachers would be engaged and hopefully utilize this tool in the classroom.

I aslo submitted a Podcast VoiceThread that I set up with the staff's pictures. After looking at some lessons, teachers will be able to scroll to their picture and respond to three questions. This will allow teachers an opportunity to interact in a non-threatening manner with podcasting and be prepared to learn more in August. If we receive the grant for Year II, I plan to take Podcasting to another level as I learn more information.

A Blog was created for Tech Tips that the staff used this year. They were sent an invitation to join and will comment on at least one of the tips used in their classroom. This will familarize Blogs with the staff an area we will focus on in next year school-wide.

NLNS, Resident Principal

The Digital Camera was used to begin taking pictures of the New Leaders New Schools Resident Principal, in the role of a principal, as she conducted the Awards Program.

Last Training Session

Today was our last training session of the year. I really appreciate how patient Megan and Joy are with us. There is a lot of work to complete (if you haven't kept up like you should) and they continue to be patient and helpful. It really makes putting the final touches on my projects a lot easier to manage. So today I wanted to send a special "THANK YOU" TO Megan and Joy!!!! You ladies have been extremely helpful to myself and the Highland Park Team!!!