The end of the school year brings with it many extra “things”.  We are not allowed to finish this year without first setting the table for  next year.  The problem is we lose focus on what is most important…the students and their  teachers ending this year.  I hear a lot of complaining.

• “This isn’t done.”
• “Why don’t we have this?”
• “There isn’t enough time.”
• “How will this ever get done?”
• “I can’t believe they expect us to do that.”

The list can go on and on.  I fall into the trap just as everyone else does.  We see the days going by.  We are tired, but the finish line is in sight.  If only all of these “things” would get done already!

My piece of advice: If you aren’t trying to change it, don’t complain about it.  I have been around long enough to know that sitting and complaining about a problem will not bring a solution to it.  The only thing that will do is cause more problems because you are bringing all the people around you down as well.  One bad seed can spread and eventually choke out all that is good.   Focus on what you can change.  Work to find solutions.  Don’t bring problems to the table unless you have an idea of how to fix them.  Discuss the problem, don’t just complain about it.

Don’t worry…I just fell off my soapbox.

Summer time is here…which means a summer vacation. My wife (2nd grade teacher) and I are traveling around with our two children (ages 7 and 9) to visit family and friends and then set off on a National Park Tour! We will be taking a couple weeks to travel and tent camp through 5 different National Parks. The entire trip for us will entail approximately 7,500 miles by the time all is said and done. We are super-excited to get going!

Why would I be writing about this on my professional blog? Simple…I want to tell you about the BlogPress app. Here is the direct link to it in the App Store. It is a $2.99 app, but is a worthwhile purchase if you are on the go! I will be using it to update my family blog so aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas, and friends alike can be making the trip with us. If you are bored and need to pass the time, check out our adventure on our family blog. I will be posting as often as I can in the next few weeks…as long as I have a phone signal!

The BlogPress app is simple to use. By creating an online web album (I use Picasa) and/or a YouTube account I am able to upload/link images and videos for the posts. I use it regularly for our family blog, which is hosted by Blogger. I am now using it with WordPress as well. The post you are reading is being done with BlogPress! BlogPress supports many formats.

Now let’s look at the educational side. Teachers are using this to update their class blog. How easy is it to grab an iPod Touch or iPad, take pics or record a video, and then post directly to your blog. You are happy because it was fast and easy. Your students are happy because they get to show off their work. Your parents are happy because they get to stay updated with what is happening in their child’s education. Your administrators are happy because everyone else is happy! Where’s the down-side here???

I have seen teachers take it a step further and put the students in charge. There is nothing more precious than reading a 1st grader’s blog post about his or her day. They are even creating newscasts to keep parents updated. Once again…endless possibilities!

Unfortunately, much of the contact between teachers and parents these days is negative contact. It is time that changes. Get to blogging…and make it easier with the BlogPress app!

– Posted using BlogPress

This came across my Twitter feed today. http://goo.gl/j1XeK

A study done by faculty at Harvard and Columbia shows…

“If an elementary school student has an excellent teacher even for a single year, it boosts their income by an average of about 2 percent per year.”

It goes on to say, “To put that in perspective, if we can find a way to raise gross domestic product (GDP) by 2 percent, you’re talking about nearly ending the Great Recession every year. By economic standards, it’s a huge deal.”

Are you a teacher?  Do you think you don’t make a difference? Think again! What you do every day makes a difference in every child’s life you touch, whether it is the “prized student” or “that student”. Take pride in knowing that your students can, and should, have that excellent teacher every year, not just one year.

Teachers amaze me every day. So much is put on their plate, yet they keep moving forward…and too often without the thanks or acknowledgement they deserve. It is taken for granted every day what they accomplish. Teaching our future is a big enough task…having to do all the parenting, nursing, training, paperwork, meetings, paperwork, meetings, paperwork, meetings, paperwork, meetings…did I mention paperwork and meetings?…just makes what they do that much more spectacular. I am humbled and thankful for who I work with…they are truly a great bunch.

I asked myself this question over and over for at least the last year.  I have a family blog, I help maintain my wife’s photography blog and my kids’ School PTO blog, and I am involved in my team’s webpage.  So why start a blog?  I can list 3 reasons…in no order of importance…

1. @chadtheteacher told me I should.
2. I really wanted to learn more about WordPress.
3. This one is mine.

I guess there is one that is most important here.  Yes…it is @chadtheteacher.  A close second would have to be that this is blog is for me though.  All the other blogs I work with are done for others more than for me.  I wanted something for myself to help me grow professionally.  This is a place for me to test ideas, ask questions, and share adventures with technology and education.  I honestly don’t know how it is going to go, but I hope some of you come along for the ride!