EdcampNBCT

We invite all National Board Certified Teachers and candidates to join us for a day of professional learning and networking at EdcampNBCT.

~Cara

I Will Give You Rest--Matthew 11:28

http://galleryhip.com/faith-quotes-facebook-covers.html

~Cara

Help Wanted: Blog Ideas

Life became busy, and my blog was pushed to the wayside.  There is something special about connecting with readers on topics that we find important.  Nothing compares to having a network where we can share and gather ideas, provide a support for our day-to-day tasks, have a laugh, or learn something new.  

In the past couple of weeks, I have had an urge to become an avid blogger again.  However, knowing myself, I need a plan.  The best plan for me would be themed days.  I wouldn't necessarily post every day of every week, but it would provide me a guide of ideas to post. 

This is where I need your help.  What would you like to see posted?  What themes would you like?  Here are some of my ideas.  Be sure to add, comment, or question.

Monday: Make-it Monday (Crafts, recipes, instructional tools, etc.)
Tuesday: Tech Tuesday (Favorite technology tools and websites)
Wednesday: No Words Wednesday (Picture of something important)
Thursday:  Throwback Thursday (Influences, ideas, etc. from the past)
Friday: Finally Friday (Free post)
Saturday: Strategy Saturday (Instructional strategies)
Sunday: Simply Sunday (Words of inspiration, rest, and refreshment)

Thank you for your help and continued support!

~Cara

Chatterpix: A Fun, Free App

I love cool apps.  This is one of my new favorites because it is so fun.  Even better, it is free.  Chatterpix allows you to give your pictures a voice.  Download Chatterpix from http://www.duckduckmoose.com/educational-iphone-itouch-apps-for-kids/chatterpix/.  Once finished, you can share your Chatterpix on Youtube, Facebook, via email, or to your photos to share in a text.  What do you think of Chatterpix?

~Cara

Edcamp Connect

EdCamp Connect is a collaborative effort of the Attalla City, Gadsden City, and Etowah County School Systems in Northeast Alabama.  This "unconference" will allow the educators within our districts to be a part of participant-driven, peer training at its best.  The concept of an unconference is to provide a free day of professional development to educators within our system.  During the day, you will network with educators from the three districts, attend sessions of your choice, and be given the opportunity to present a presentation or panel discussion on any educational topic of choice.  Breakfast and lunch are provided, and door prizes will be given.  The best part is that the entire day is FREE and will count as a full day toward your variance day.  

Edcamp Connect will take place on Monday, July 7, 2014, at Gadsden City High School.  Registration is limited to the first 300.  Since it is open to all educators within the three systems, I would suggest that you go ahead and register through STIPD.  The number is ECBOE-T121.  

If you have any further questions, please ask.  We are exciting about bringing an Edcamp to Etowah County!

~Cara

Can You Make a Difference: Reflections on ALNBCT Hill Day

This year, I became the Instructional Partner that services between two schools, the largest elementary and middle schools within my system.   No longer do I only serve the twenty students within the walls of my classroom.  I now serve more than 1,400 students and 75 classroom teachers.  I am faced everyday with new challenges and decisions that require focus on the instruction of all students within our schools.  Can I make a difference?

On a broader note, I have the honor to be the 2^nd Vice President of the Alabama National Board Certified Teachers Network Board of Directors.  This role has forced me to be an advocate, a promoter, and a face for all teachers throughout our state.  Can I make a difference?

Recently, our Alabama NBCT Network held our 2^nd Annual ALNBCT Hill Day.  The purpose of our day was not to spread a political agenda but to share how a teacher that holds National Board Certification affects students in our schools.  We visited members of our state legislator.  Some of the meetings included legislators that we had spoken to last year.  Other meetings were with new faces.  We were even bold enough to stop legislators in the hallways, wait outside of lunch areas, and drop into their offices all for a chance to speak with members of our state congress.  Did we make a difference?

Several of the legislators that we spoke with told us that our meetings last year caused them to research National Board Teacher Certification.  They visited the schools within their district and spent time with the NBCTs in their schools to observe their teaching first-hand.  Another group of state representatives, democrats and republicans, held an impromptu roundtable discussion.  It quickly became a meeting of how to get large groups of teachers and even whole schools involved in the certification process.  Several are exploring new ways to provide the financial means for teachers to achieve National Board Certification and reward those who are already certified.  It is exciting to see these changes take place.

As we all know within our classrooms, we can make a difference.  The difference may be small.  They may take a long time to come into fruition.  But, a difference will happen.  Our ALNBCT Hill Day allowed us to plant seeds with the members of our state congress.  Although there are 135 members in our state congress that deal with thousands of issues each legislative session, I believe that promoting what is best for Alabama’s students made a difference.

Please take time to share stories with your local legislators of the successes that take place in your classrooms and schools.  Invite them to spend time with you, so they can personally see what our students are achieving.  Do not be shy. You can make a difference!

~Cara

If you have ever wanted to try Young Living Essential Oils, today is the day! You will never find a price like this on the Premium Starter Kit again. IT IS TODAY ONLY! Email me for more details, or visit my recent blog post {here}.  You can also buy the kit using this link 

https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?site=US&sponsorid=1598375&enrollerid=1598375

Be sure to sign up as an Independent Distributor to get the deal.  You do not have to sell anything, though!  You will just get the benefits of Young Living Essential Oils at a fraction of the price every time you order. 

Happy oiling!

~Cara